It was night. Silence reigned over the villa. Ryder couldn't sleep. For days now, his mind had been restless, caught in a storm of contradictions. The words of the fake Victoire, Diego and Daniella's strange behavior, Dylan's troubled glances… all of it formed an incomplete but disturbing puzzle.
Suddenly, his phone buzzed. A message from Diego.
> "Meet me in the living room. Alone. It's important."
Ryder frowned. He quickly threw on a sweatshirt and tiptoed downstairs. Diego was waiting for him, seated, a half-burned cigarette in his hand. His features were drawn, heavy with concern—almost sadness.
"You wanted to talk?" Ryder asked cautiously.
Diego gestured for him to sit.
"I've tried to protect everyone, Ryder. You, Daniella, Andrea… even Dylan. But I think the time has come for you to know part of the truth."
Ryder slowly sat down, heart pounding.
"I'm listening."
Diego stared at him for a long time, then sighed.
"You remember Victoire, don't you? Your childhood friend… the one you lost."
"How could I forget?"
"He's dead, Ryder. He's been dead for years. And it wasn't an accident."
A cold shiver ran down Ryder's spine.
"What are you saying?"
"Dylan… killed him."
Ryder's heart stopped for a second.
"What?!" he gasped, voice cracking.
Diego stood slowly, walked toward the window, and without turning around:
"Victoire was found in an old warehouse, after disappearing. He was alone, defenseless. Dylan was there that day. And a few hours later, Victoire wasn't breathing anymore. There was no official investigation… because certain people wanted the case buried. But I… I know what happened."
Ryder stood up abruptly.
"You're lying!"
"I swear I'm telling the truth, Ryder. I can't reveal everything to you—not yet. But believe me: Dylan is dangerous. He stole your friend. He erased Victoire from this world as if his life meant nothing."
Ryder was in shock. His hands trembled. Memories flooded back—Dylan's evasive glances, his silence, his disappearances… Everything seemed to fall into a horrible place.
"Why don't you tell Daniella? Or Andrea?"
"Because they're not ready. And because I want you, Ryder, to be the one to confront him. To make him pay for what he did."
Diego stepped closer, locking eyes with the young man:
"You've always been loyal to those you love. But sometimes, loyalty demands strength. Vengeance."
Ryder was frozen. In silence, he left the living room, dazed, his soul fractured.
---
Back in his room, Ryder clutched a worn-out fabric bracelet—the only memory he had left of Victoire. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"Dylan… if this is true… I'll never forgive you…"
A dark plan began to take root in his mind. A need for justice. Or rather… revenge.
---
Meanwhile, in the room next door, Diego smiled alone in the shadows. His plan was unfolding exactly as he had intended.
He whispered:
"Forgive me, Ryder. But some secrets… must stay buried. Even if it means turning you into a weapon."