chapter 13

The room hummed with tension, blue light flickering off the glass shelves in Paisley's study. She sat rigid before her laptop, fingertips flying across the keys as encrypted lines of code unraveled on the screen. A lock icon blinks red, then green. She was in.

I shouldn't be doing this, she muttered, more to herself than to Levi on the other end of the line. His voice crackled softly through her earpiece.

You already are. Just keep going. You're close.

Inside the server, folders bloomed open like poison flowers. She filtered by sender, zeroed in on her uncle's emails. Her heart stumbled.

Subject: FW: Phase One Complete

From: S.Lautner

To: W.Madden

She clicked. And the world collapsed around her.

The email thread stretched years back. Her father had written updates, attached financial transfers, architectural blueprints, and security layouts. The Lautners' first international expansion her father had built. His name sat beside theirs on every deal.

Paisley's throat dried. He helped them... he helped them, she whispered. He wasn't just a whistleblower, he was a partner.

More documents surfaced. Then one file caught her breath: Madden_Confession.mp4.

She hit play. Her father's face filled the screen hollow-eyed, shaken. They'll come for me, he said in a low rasp. But they need to be stopped. I helped build a monster.

The screen dimmed. She sat frozen.

You okay? Levi asked, warily.

She exhaled, her hands trembling. No. I'm not. My father wasn't innocent.

Footsteps approached outside her door. She slammed the laptop shut, yanking out the USB. She slipped it into her boot, just as the door creaked open.

It was her mother, pale-faced, robe clenched tightly.

Paisley stared at her. How long have you known?

Her mother blinked, eyes flicking to the bag on the floor. You found the files.

I found the truth, she said, voice brittle. Now I want answers. Real ones.

Her mother stepped inside. Then sit down. It's time you knew everything.

And Paisley did. With her fists clenched and heart splintering.

I begged him to stop, her mother whispered, voice barely holding together. But your father was always too proud. Too righteous.

Paisley stood near the fireplace, shadows flickering across her face as the fire hissed. Her mother looked smaller now diminished by memory, dressed in ivory silk, hair loose and silver at the roots. Nothing like the poised socialite who once hosted diplomats and auctioned off paintings with champagne in hand.

You said he was fighting them. You said he was killed for doing the right thing. Her voice cracked. But he was one of them.

For a time. Her mother's fingers trembled as she lifted a photo from the mantel her father in a suit, flanked by Stephan's father, Samuel Lautner. They were brilliant together. Visionaries. But when Samuel got greedy, your father tried to stop it. That's when things turned dark.

Paisley's jaw tightened. So, he helped build their empire, then tried to bring it down. Why lie to me?

Because the truth would've destroyed you. She met Paisley's eyes, teary but resolute. And because you were twelve. What would you have done with this?

I would've stopped idolizing a man who helped criminals.

Silence thickened between them.

Her mother stepped forward, touched her cheek. Your father wasn't a monster. He was human. Flawed. Brave in the end.

Paisley pulled back, fury boiling beneath her ribs. You protected his name more than you protected me.

She stormed to the bookshelf, yanked down her father's journal, flipping through pages that once felt sacred. Now they read like rehearsed confessions.

He knew he'd be killed, Paisley said quietly. He left a message. He knew.

Her mother's voice wavered. I think he hoped someone would finish what he started. Maybe that's why you're here.

She looked up slowly. Her heart ached, but her purpose sharpened.

I'm done grieving ghosts, Paisley murmured. If they killed him for trying to burn down their kingdom… then I'll finish what he couldn't.

She grabbed her coat, the firelight catching the edge of the USB drive peeking from her boot.

Where are you going? her mother called.

To light a match.

Next scene: Scene 20 – What She Left Behind to follow.

The storm broke as Paisley reached the mausoleum, her mother's voice echoing in her head.

He died trying to destroy what he helped build.

Cold rain needled her skin, plastered her hair to her cheeks. She didn't flinch. The air was sharp with cedar and wet stone. Her father's grave sat beneath the weeping willow, a polished black slab that had always felt like a wall between them. Tonight, it felt more like a door.

She knelt, wiping rain off the name she once whispered like a prayer. You were supposed to be the good one, she murmured.

Behind her, gravel crunched.

Visiting ghosts?

She turned sharply.

Stephan stood a few feet away, collar soaked, expression unreadable. He looked like a wrecked tie loosened, jaw tight. And still… heartbreakingly composed in a way only he could be. She stood slowly, the tension already thickening between them.

What are you doing here?

I came to talk, he said. But you weren't answering. I figured you'd come here.

How poetic.

I saw your mother leave the house. Thought maybe you learned something.

Paisley crossed her arms. Did you know my father helped your family?

His expression barely shifted but she saw it. The flinch. The guilt.

Paisley

I asked a yes or no question.

Stephan looked away, rain running down his temple. Yes, he said finally. I found out after he died.

The breath left her lungs.

You knew, she said, voice shaking. You knew everything and you let me believe he was some innocent casualty.

I didn't want to hurt you.

She stepped toward him, fury burning in her chest. Don't act like that was kindness.

I protected you from

No, Stephan. You protected yourself.

Behind him, a flash of blonde hair caught her eye.

Juliette.

Standing under the archway. Watching. Smirking.

Paisley's blood turned ice. This is what I get for chasing the truth?

Paisley, it's not

Save it.

She shoved the USB into his hand, her voice shaking.

You knew my father. You used me.

Stephan's eyes widened. Wait

She was already walking away.

He started following after her, but she didn't look back.