Chapter 8 - THE TRUTH ABOUT BIANCA
Bianca finally told Julian everything.
Her father had died when she was sixteen.
Victor became her guardian.
For years, he controlled her money, her phone, even where she lived.
Then Victor introduced her to Julian.
“I didn't know it was planned,” she said.
Julian stared through the windshield.
“When did you find out?”
“Six months ago.”
“And you stayed with me.”
“I tried to leave.”
“Why didn't you?”
“Victor threatened to kill my mother.”
Julian turned.
“Your mother is alive?”
Bianca nodded.
“She lives in Switzerland.”
Julian said nothing.
Bianca continued.
“Victor told me that if I married you, I could influence the trust. I was supposed to convince your mother to sign documents.”
“And when she refused?”
“He told me to make her look unstable.”
Julian's voice hardened.
“You did.”
“I know.”
“Then why stop?”
Bianca looked down.
“Because I fell in love with you.”
Julian laughed bitterly.
“You chose a terrible way to show it.”
“I know.”
They reached the meeting point.
An abandoned theater.
Julian entered alone.
“Clara!”
Lights came on.
Clara was tied to a chair.
Evelyn stood behind her.
“You came.”
Julian raised his hands.
“Let her go.”
Evelyn smiled.
“You have your father's eyes.”
“Why did you take her?”
“Because Clara knows where the money is.”
“What money?”
“The money your father hid before he died.”
Julian frowned.
“You've spent years looking for it.”
“Yes.”
Evelyn stepped closer.
“And Bianca knows where it is.”
Julian turned.
Bianca was standing behind him.
A gun was pressed against her back.
Victor's voice came from the balcony.
“Don't move.”
Julian realized the truth.
Bianca hadn't betrayed him.
She had been used as bait.
Victor walked down the stairs.
“You really thought I wanted the company?”
Julian stared.
“What do you want?”
Victor smiled.
“Your father's offshore account.”
Martha had told Julian his father left money behind.
But she never told him where.
Victor pointed at Bianca.
“She knows.”
Bianca shook her head.
“No.”
Victor struck her.
Julian surged forward.
A gun clicked.
“Stop!”
Julian froze.
Clara screamed.
Evelyn laughed.
Then the theater doors burst open.
Police stormed inside.
Detective Reed shouted, “Drop your weapons!”
Victor fired.
Chaos erupted.
Julian tackled Bianca.
Evelyn ran.
Victor shot at Reed and fled through a side door.
Julian chased him.
They reached the alley.
Victor turned.
For a second, neither moved.
Then Victor said:
“Ask your mother who really killed your father.”
He disappeared into the darkness.
Julian stood there, breathing hard.
Behind him, Bianca whispered:
“Julian…”
He turned.
She was holding a small key.
“Your father gave this to me.”
Julian stared.
“Why?”
“Because he knew I would eventually come back.”
May you like
The key had one word engraved on it.
SANCTUARY.
