Erevos

Chapter 122: Erevos

JOHN EVANS

As I walked out of Ethan’s office, the word replayed he asked me about in my mind ‘Erevos.’ I told him I didn’t know what it meant, but that was a lie. I didn’t trust him enough to tell the truth.

The moment I got into my car, I gripped the steering wheel tightly, my mind racing. Erevos—Martha’s safe word. The code to her safe deposit box. She had told me about it once, in passing, as if she were preparing for the worst. At the time, I brushed it off, believing she was just being cautious.

I pulled out of the parking lot and drove straight to the bank. The entire ride there, my chest felt heavy. If Ethan found the word in her documents, that meant she had been gathering something—evidence, secrets, something powerful enough to destroy Smith Cole.

The bank manager recognized me immediately and led me to the private vault area. The safe deposit box sat there, untouched for years because I never had enough courage to check it out. I told the manager to excuse me then faced what was before me. My hands shook slightly as I turned the key and lifted the lid.

Inside, neatly arranged, were files, flash drives, and stacks of documents. Offshore accounts, business transactions, and a file labeled Smith Cole—Classified. But what stopped me in my tracks was a sealed envelope with my name written in Martha’s handwriting.

I hesitated before opening it, my heart pounding so loud I could hear it. A small flash drive fell into my palm.

I pulled out my laptop and inserted the drive. A video file popped up. My heart pounded as I clicked play.

Martha’s face appeared on the screen, looking as gorgeous as always.

“If you’re watching this, John, it means I’m gone.” Her voice was calm, yet heavy with the weight of unspoken truths. “I tried to bring him down. I tried to stop him, but I wasn’t strong enough. I need you to finish what I started.”

My throat tightened.

“I’ve left everything you need in this box,” she continued. “The person I am investigating is a murderer, a manipulator, and he has more blood on his hands than you can imagine. I was close—so close—to exposing him, but I think I've run out of time because they’re closing in on me.” She exhaled shakily, then looked straight into the camera. “John, I know you’re angry. I know you’ll not want to let this go, but please let it go, I don't want you or our children to get hurt. I love you so much.”

The video ended.

I stared at the screen, my entire body tense. My hands clenched into fists.

Martha had known. She had known she wouldn’t make it but still insisted on going after him—damn her job. Yes she was a prosecutor but why did she dive into danger head on like this?

I looked through the documents and closed the safe deposit box and stepped out of the bank, my mind a battlefield of emotions.

Ethan was correct, I'd make sure Smith Cole paid for everything he cost my family and I.

For now, I needed a distraction. Something—anything to clear my head. So I drove to the rehabilitation facility.

Marvin was sitting in the courtyard, flipping through a book, when he noticed me approaching. A slow grin spread across his face.

“Well, well,” he drawled. “To what do I owe the honor, Dad?”

I exhaled, sitting beside him. “Just needed to check in on you.”

He studied me for a moment, then smirked. “More like you needed to get your mind off something. What is it this time? Work stress? Or…” His grin widened. “...girl trouble?”

I scowled. “Nothing like that Marv.”

“Ah. Then it’s Mia.”

I didn’t respond.

Marvin hummed. “Dad of the year struggling with his daughter’s choices? Classic. So, what did she do? Join a cult? Get a face tattoo?”

I shot him a glare. “You wouldn't believe it if I told you.”

His amusement faded slightly. “I’m guessing you wouldn't tell me.”

I nodded.

He leaned back in his chair. “Whatever dad, I'll find out sooner or later.”

“How’s it here?” I asked, changing the topic.

He raised an eyebrow. “Same as always, the doctors said I'll be free to go home soon so I'm banking on that.”

“That’s amazing news my boy. Just take care of yourself, okay?” I smiled.

He chuckled. “You too, Dad.”

When I got home, I barely made it through the door before Greg cornered me in the hallway.

“We need to talk,” he said.

I groaned. “Not now, Greg.”

“Yes, now.” He crossed his arms. “It’s about Mia and Ethan.”

I sighed and rubbed my temples. “I don’t want to talk about this.”

Greg scoffed. “Yeah, because avoiding the problem is clearly working out great for you.”

I shot him a warning look. “Greg, I mean it.”

“She loves him, John.”

“She doesn’t know what love is.” I retorted tired of letting everyone decide how I handled my family problems.

He laughed, “She’s not a child.”

“She’s my child.”

Greg shook his head. “And you think keeping her locked up is going to change how she feels?”

“I don’t care how she feels.” I said, shaking my head.

Greg let out a humorless laugh. “Wow. You really are a stubborn bastard.”

I didn’t respond.

Greg exhaled sharply, shaking his head. “You know, you’re so damn focused on hating Ethan that you’re not even seeing the bigger picture.”

I clenched my jaw. “And what’s that?”

“That Mia is happy.”

I stiffened.

Greg stepped closer. “When was the last time you saw her genuinely happy after Martha, John? Not just pretending for your sake—like actually happy?”

I didn’t answer.

Greg sighed. “I know you don’t want to hear this, but you need to let her live her life.”

I set my jaw. “I’ll never accept that relationship.”

Greg stared at me for a long moment, then shook his head.

“Then you might lose her,” he said quietly.

He walked away, leaving me alone in the hallway, his words sinking into my chest. I walked into the bar and poured myself a drink. My hands were still trembling. I was never going to accept that forbidden relationship no matter what anyone said.

Neither was I ready to face the truth about Martha, Ethan, or anything else.

Not yet.