Chapter 13: Secrets Unveiled
The morning light filtered through the shattered windows, casting jagged shadows across the room.
Elara sat at the kitchen table, staring at the encrypted file Rook had slipped into her hand.
"This could change everything," she whispered.
Aaron poured two cups of coffee, placing one before her.
"What is it?" he asked.
Elara took a deep breath. "A list of hidden Roth accounts — but there's more. Names we didn't expect."
Dominic joined them, eyes narrowed.
"Like who?" he asked.
Elara hesitated. "People close to us."
That afternoon, they started digging deeper.
Files revealed connections to a powerful senator—one who had publicly denounced the Roths.
"Elara," Aaron said, voice low, "this senator has been taking bribes."
She swallowed hard. "And that means the Roths have allies where we least expect."
Later, Elara met with Rook in a dim café.
"Politics and crime," Rook said with a bitter smile. "They're two sides of the same coin."
Elara's hands trembled. "How do we fight a war with shadows on every side?"
Rook leaned in. "By shining a light. But be careful — the closer you get, the darker it gets."
That night, Elara sat alone with Leo asleep in her arms.
Her phone buzzed—a message from an unknown number:
"Stop digging, or you'll lose more than you're ready to."
Her heart thundered.
Aaron entered quietly. "We knew this would happen."
She nodded. "But now we know what we're up against."
The next morning, Elara looked out over the city skyline, determination etched on her face.
"They think they can scare me," she said softly. "They don't know who they're dealing with."