Chapter 10 - The Trap Inside The Moving FortressThe sound of the train became unbearable.
The wheels struck the rails again and again.
Creating a rhythm that sounded almost like a countdown.
Everyone inside the cabin understood one thing.
They were no longer passengers.
They were witnesses.
And witnesses were dangerous.
Especially to someone like Victoria Sterling.
Ethan looked at Marcus.
The man who had just admitted that his arrival changed the plan.
The man who looked completely calm.
As if threatening an entire family inside a moving train was just another business decision.
“You were going to hurt her.”
Ethan pointed toward Clara.
Marcus did not answer immediately.
That silence was enough.
Ethan stepped forward.
“You were going to hurt my sister.”
Victoria suddenly spoke.
“Ethan.”
Her voice was different.
Not angry.
Not defensive.
Almost desperate.
“You need to understand something.”
Ethan looked at her.
“No.”
“You need to understand something.”
His eyes became colder.
“You are the one who needs to explain.”
Victoria stared at her son.
The child she once carried.
The boy who used to run toward her whenever he was afraid.
Now he was looking at her like a stranger.
That hurt.
But not enough to make her surrender.
“I built this family from nothing.”
Victoria’s voice became stronger.
“Your father had dreams.”
“But dreams do not protect people.”
“Dreams do not pay debts.”
“Dreams do not keep enemies away.”
Ethan shook his head.
“You keep saying you protected us.”
“But everything you did was because you were afraid.”
Victoria’s expression changed.
Because he was right.
Fear had always been the foundation of everything.
Fear of losing power.
Fear of losing money.
Fear of becoming nobody.
Marcus stepped closer.
“We are wasting time.”
Charles immediately moved.
“You need to stop.”
Marcus looked at him.
“You are older than I remember.”
Charles smiled.
“And you are still making the same mistake.”
Marcus frowned.
“What mistake?”
“Believing Victoria cares about anyone.”
The words hit the room.
Even Victoria looked at Charles.
For a moment.
A painful expression crossed her face.
Because deep down.
She knew.
Marcus was useful.
Employees were useful.
Partners were useful.
But almost nobody was loved.
May you like
Except perhaps her children.
And even that love had become twisted by control.
