Chapter 10 - The Theater
Arthur refused to go alone.
He contacted federal investigators.
But before they arrived, another message appeared.
If you involve police, Julia dies.
Arthur froze.
Julia.
Alive?
He stared at the screen.
Daniel whispered:
“You think it's real?”
Arthur didn't answer.
He wanted to believe it.
That was what frightened him.
They went to the old theater with surveillance teams hidden nearby.
The building had been abandoned for years.
Arthur entered.
“Julia?”
Nothing.
Then a light turned on.
A woman stepped from behind the curtain.
Older.
Thinner.
Blonde hair streaked with gray.
Arthur stopped breathing.
“Julia.”
She stared at him.
For several seconds neither moved.
Then Arthur whispered:
“I thought you were dead.”
Julia's eyes filled with tears.
“I thought you hated me.”
“I did.”
She flinched.
Arthur immediately regretted it.
“I thought you betrayed me.”
“You never asked.”
“I know.”
Julia looked toward Renata.
“My baby.”
Renata ran to her mother.
Julia held her tightly.
Arthur watched them.
Then Julia looked at him.
“I didn't forgive you because you deserved it.”
Arthur lowered his eyes.
“I know.”
“I forgave you because Renata deserved a grandfather.”
Arthur's face broke.
He knelt.
“I should have found you.”
Julia shook her head.
“You were manipulated.”
“By Victor.”
“Yes.”
Julia revealed Victor had been using Michael to steal from the company.
When Julia discovered the truth, Victor ordered her disappearance.
But Michael secretly helped her escape.
Arthur stared.
“Michael helped you?”
Julia nodded.
“He regretted everything.”
“Then why did he keep hiding?”
“Because Victor threatened his family.”
Arthur suddenly understood why Michael had died.
He hadn't been the mastermind.
He had been trapped.
Then Julia looked at Arthur.
“Victor is still alive.”
Arthur's face hardened.
“Where?”
Julia pointed toward the theater's backstage door.
May you like
“He's here.”
👉 Arthur had finally found Julia alive, but the man who had destroyed their family was standing only a few rooms away.
