Chapter 2: The Unraveling
Ethan made a split-second mistake. He lunged toward the hallway, aiming for the nursery. But before he could even clear the bedframe, two heavily armored soldiers stepped into his path, blocking the exit like an iron wall.
""Hold your position,"" the lead soldier barked, placing a firm, gloved hand on Ethan’s shoulder, pinning him in place.
General Vance didn't look back as he walked straight into the nursery. The room was painted a soft pastel blue, filled with handcrafted wooden toys and a crib that Ethan had supposedly built with love. On the changing table sat a small silver tablet.
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Marcus picked it up. He tapped the screen, bypassed the simple passcode—Claire's childhood nickname—and opened the hidden folder.
When the first video played, the veteran soldier had to close his eyes for a split second to catch his breath. The audio alone was horrific: harsh words, slamming doors, and quiet sobbed pleas for mercy. It wasn't an accident. It was months of calculated, systematic control.
