Shadows of the Past
"Liam, you're not leaving this room until we talk," Becky insisted, her voice sharp and trembling as she stepped in front of the doorway. Her emerald eyes burned with a mixture of fear and fury.
"I already told you, Becky…..Ben's past is dangerous, and you've just started to scratch the surface," Liam replied. He looked toward Ben, who sat in silence at the edge of the couch, his head bowed. "But this isn't my truth to tell. It's his."
"I'm done with secrets," Becky snapped, glaring at both men. Her voice broke as she added, "You think keeping me in the dark is helping me? It's not…it's killing me. You owe me the truth, Ben. And you, Liam... stop playing gatekeeper."
Liam hesitated, then sighed. "Fine," he said, his tone resigned. "But don't say I didn't warn you. This truth isn't one you'll like, Becky."
Becky crossed her arms, her heart pounding as she braced herself. "Just spit it out."
Before Liam could answer, the front door creaked open. All three heads turned toward it as Daniel stepped inside. His calm, calculated movements sent a chill down Becky's spine.
"Ah, the happy little family," Daniel said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He tilted his head, his piercing gaze landing on Becky. "Did Ben tell you the bedtime story yet? About the fire? About how he walked out while I burned alive?"
Becky's throat tightened. "What fire? What is he talking about, Ben?"
Ben finally lifted his head, his blue eyes filled with turmoil. "It's not what you think, Becky."
"Then explain it!" she cried. "Because I'm standing here, caught in the middle of your feud, and I don't even know what's real anymore!"
Daniel chuckled, clapping slowly. "Bravo, brother. You've got her right where you want her confused, helpless, and clinging to you. Classic Ben."
Ben shot him a glare. "You don't get to come in here and twist the truth, Daniel. You don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, don't I?" Daniel countered, pulling a folded piece of paper from his jacket pocket. He waved it in the air. "This says otherwise."
Becky's hands trembled as she reached for the paper, but Ben stepped in front of her.
"Don't," he said firmly. "You don't need to see that."
Her frustration boiled over. "Stop telling me what I need, Ben! You don't get to decide anymore!"
She snatched the paper from Daniel, unfolding it with shaking fingers. As her eyes scanned the document, her stomach dropped. It was an official report detailing a fire at the Archer family estate, the cause labeled as "suspicious." But the most damning part was the allegation: Ben Archer, primary suspect in the incident that led to Daniel Archer's presumed death.
Becky looked up at Ben, her voice barely a whisper. "You... you did this?"
"No!" Ben shouted, his face pale. "I didn't start the fire, Becky. I swear. I was there…..I tried to save him! But..." He faltered, his shoulders slumping.
"But what?" she pressed, her voice breaking.
"I didn't realize he was still inside," Ben admitted, his voice filled with anguish. "I thought he'd escaped, and by the time I found out... it was too late."
Daniel's laughter rang out, bitter and cold. "Too late? You didn't even try! You walked out of that burning building and let them think I was dead because it was easier than admitting you failed."
Becky's head spun as she tried to process the bombshell. She turned to Daniel. "Why are you doing this now? If you survived, why didn't you come forward sooner?"
"Because I wanted him to suffer," Daniel said simply. "I wanted him to build his perfect little empire, only for me to rip it all away. And you, Becky... you're the perfect instrument for that."
Her breath caught. "What are you talking about?"
The Ultimatum
Daniel's expression softened, though his dark eyes remained calculating. "Ben doesn't deserve you. You're just another pawn in his game, a way for him to feel like the hero while hiding the truth. But with me, you'd know exactly where you stand."
"Daniel, don't," Ben warned, stepping in front of Becky. "You're not dragging her into this."
Daniel smirked, his gaze never leaving Becky's. "She's already in it, brother. And the best part? She's starting to see you for who you really are."
Becky's voice trembled as she spoke. "You think turning me against him will fix anything? All I see is two brothers destroying each other over a past you can't change."
Daniel's jaw tightened, and for a moment, the mask of confidence slipped. "You think I want this, Becky? I wanted a family. A life. But Ben stole that from me, and now he's doing the same to you."
"Enough!" Ben shouted, his voice shaking with rage. "You don't get to rewrite history, Daniel. You made your choices, just like I made mine."
"And now you'll pay for them," Daniel said coldly. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a USB drive. "This contains everything, Becky. All the dirt on Ben, every shady deal, every lie. If you really want the truth, here it is."
Ben lunged for the drive, but Daniel was quicker, holding it just out of reach. "Ah, ah," he taunted. "You don't get to bury this one, brother."
Becky stared at the small device, her heart pounding. Did she want to know what it contained? Or would it only destroy her more?
A sudden crash shattered the tense moment, the sound of glass breaking somewhere in the house. Everyone froze, their heads snapping toward the noise.
"Stay here," Liam said, his gun already in hand as he moved toward the source of the commotion.
Becky clutched Ben's arm, her pulse racing. "What's happening?"
"Daniel," Ben said through gritted teeth, his eyes darting toward his brother. "What did you do?"
Daniel held up his hands in mock innocence. "Nothing... yet. But it seems like someone else has joined the party."
Liam returned a moment later, his expression grim. "We've got company. At least three men outside are armed."
Becky's stomach dropped. "What do they want?"
Ben's expression darkened. "Me. This isn't just about family anymore. This is about power."
Daniel chuckled, stepping back toward the door. "Looks like the stakes just got higher. Good luck, brother."
"Don't you dare leave," Ben growled, but Daniel slipped out before he could stop him.
The sound of footsteps and muffled voices grew louder, and Becky felt a wave of panic. "Ben, what do we do?"
He turned to her, his jaw set. "We protect what matters most."
Before she could respond, the door burst open, and a group of armed men stormed in. Becky screamed as Ben pulled her behind him, his body shielding hers.
One of the men stepped forward, his weapon trained on Ben.
"You have something we want," the man said, his voice cold and steady. "And if you don't hand it over, she'll pay the price."