Chapter 13 - THE COUSIN WHO PLAYED BOTH SIDES
Matias Darks was waiting in Valyrian's office when the security team brought him inside.
He looked exhausted.
But not surprised.
Valyrian stood beside the desk.
Between them lay Victor's photograph.
"Explain."
Matias glanced at it.
Then closed his eyes.
"I knew this day would come."
"Did you work for Caleum?"
"Yes."
Valyrian felt something inside him turn cold.
"For how long?"
"Almost three years."
Marco shifted near the door.
Matias raised both hands.
"Before you decide what that means, hear me out."
Valyrian didn't move.
Matias continued.
"Caleum approached me after my company started failing. He offered to cover my debts if I helped monitor certain family accounts."
"You sold us out."
"At first, I told myself it was ordinary business."
"And later?"
Matias swallowed.
"Later, I realized he was stealing from you."
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
"Because by then he had evidence of my involvement."
Valyrian stared at him.
Matias looked toward the floor.
"He said he'd destroy my family if I spoke."
"You should have come to me."
"I know."
The admission was quiet.
Then Matias said something unexpected.
"Alicia found out."
Valyrian frowned.
"When?"
"Four months ago. She confronted me outside the courthouse."
The photograph.
The envelope.
The conversation that had seemed suspicious.
"She knew you were working for Caleum?"
Matias nodded.
"She also knew I was trying to leave."
Valyrian studied him.
"Why would she trust you?"
"She didn't."
Matias almost smiled.
"She made me prove it."
He reached into his coat.
Marco immediately stepped forward.
Matias froze.
"Just a flash drive."
Marco retrieved it and handed it to an investigator.
Matias continued.
"She asked me to record every instruction Caleum gave me. Every transfer, every forged document, every attempt to interfere with her appointments."
Valyrian's expression changed.
"You were gathering evidence?"
"Yes."
"Then why didn't you tell me when I confronted you?"
"Because Alicia asked me not to reveal the investigation until the evidence was secured."
Valyrian looked at the photograph again.
The payment had been real.
The betrayal had been real.
But Matias had also begun cooperating with Alicia.
Both truths existed together.
"What did Caleum want you to do?"
Matias lowered his eyes.
"Convince you to divorce her."
Valyrian felt his chest tighten.
"The silence between you was his opportunity. He wanted Alicia isolated, and he wanted you convinced she no longer cared."
Matias looked directly at him.
"But she never stopped trying to reach you."
Valyrian turned away.
He already knew.
That knowledge hurt more every time he heard it.
An investigator returned with preliminary findings from the flash drive.
It contained recordings of Caleum discussing the forged insurance application, diverted company funds, and improper access to medical records.
Most importantly, it contained instructions to conceal Alicia's urgent specialist communications.
Valyrian looked at Matias.
"You knew she was in danger."
"I knew Caleum wanted her out of the picture. I didn't know how far he'd go until Alicia showed me the insurance policy."
"Then why stay silent?"
"Because she believed we needed enough evidence to stop the whole network."
Valyrian was quiet.
Then he spoke.
"You'll tell the investigators everything."
Matias nodded.
"I already have."
Valyrian didn't offer forgiveness.
Not yet.
Trust couldn't be restored with a convenient explanation.
But he recognized the difference between a man who denied his betrayal and one prepared to face the consequences.
Then his phone rang.
Dr. Brooks.
He answered immediately.
"How is Alicia?"
The doctor's voice was calm.
"She's stable. But we have new information from the pathology review."
Valyrian gripped the desk.
"What information?"
"The independent team confirmed the lymphoma diagnosis, but also identified serious discrepancies in the original records. Those discrepancies may have delayed the appropriate treatment plan."
He closed his eyes.
"Can anything be done?"
"We've reviewed her case with a multidisciplinary team. There is a treatment option she may be eligible for, depending on the final assessment."
Valyrian opened his eyes.
"Does she know?"
"Yes. Alicia asked me to call you."
He swallowed.
"Why?"
Dr. Brooks softened.
"Because she said she wants you beside her when she makes the decision."
Valyrian looked toward the window.
For the first time in months, Alicia wasn't shutting him out.
She was asking him to come closer.
Then the doctor added one last detail.
"The additional testing also showed that her disease has features that may respond to a specialized therapy."
Valyrian could barely speak.
"Does that mean she might recover?"
May you like
"It means we have a medically reasonable path forward."
And after months of fear, that possibility felt like the first light breaking through a very long night.
