Chapter 15 - Louis Had One Choice Left
Victor lied beautifully.
That made the truth inside his lies difficult to separate.
He told Corrine Louis had known Dawson was connected to Victor earlier than he admitted.
He claimed Louis had allowed the danger to continue to draw Victor out.
Corrine wanted to reject it.
Then Victor showed her a date.
A surveillance report.
Louis had received it two days before the garage confrontation.
Corrine felt sick.
“He knew?”
“He suspected.”
Victor smiled.
“Ask him.”
Outside, Louis’s team surrounded the mansion.
He could order an assault.
But Victor had hostages.
Marcus.
Evelyn’s brother.
Corrine.
Louis had spent his life solving problems through control.
Now control could get them killed.
So he did the hardest thing possible.
He waited.
Inside, Corrine asked Victor for water.
When the guard turned, she kicked the table into him and ran.
An alarm sounded.
Louis heard it.
Waiting ended.
His team entered.
The mansion erupted into movement.
Corrine reached the hallway.
Victor caught her arm.
She struck him.
He stumbled.
Louis appeared.
Gunfire sounded somewhere behind them.
Louis could chase Victor.
Or reach Corrine.
Victor ran.
Louis chose Corrine.
Every time.
He crossed the hallway and pulled her behind cover.
Victor escaped through the rear exit.
Later, when everyone was safe, Corrine confronted Louis.
“Did you know Dawson was connected to Victor before the garage?”
Louis went silent.
That silence was enough.
“You promised no lying.”
“I suspected.”
“You let me meet him.”
“You insisted.”
“You could have told me!”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because I thought you would cancel.”
Corrine stepped backward.
Louis had no defense.
He had broken the most important rule.
“I was trying to catch Victor.”
“And you used my choice without giving me all the information.”
“Yes.”
Corrine’s eyes filled.
“That’s exactly what you promised you would never do.”
Louis looked devastated.
“I know.”
She removed the ring they had used for their fake marriage.
Placed it in his palm.
“This ends now.”
Then she walked away.
May you like
Louis didn’t stop her.
Because loving someone, he finally understood, did not give him the right to prevent her from leaving.
