The Memory Keeper: Twisted Roots

Rain's POV

Therese had called it a night, and she and Ikaris left us alone at the bar. The noise of the other patrons faded into the background, leaving just me, Khai, and the weight of the truth I was about to unload.

Khai leaned against the counter, swirling the last remnants of her whiskey in her glass. "You've been quiet," she noted, her voice softer now that it was just us. "Something's on your mind."

I exhaled sharply, my fingers gripping the edge of my own drink. "I need to tell you something," I started, glancing around to make sure no one was eavesdropping. Khai straightened, sensing the shift in my tone.

Then, I told her everything.

I told her what Frederick had revealed to me—the truth that had been buried for so long. The day of my accident, the day I lost my parents and my memories, wasn't just an accident. It was orchestrated. My father, Theodore Chadwick, wasn't just some businessman caught in the Stanton family's web—he was the executioner of every dark deal Lucious Stanton ever made. Back when my father was still Lucious's right-hand man, he carried out orders without question, eliminating threats, silencing enemies.

I saw Khai's jaw tighten, her grip on the glass turning white-knuckled.

Then I told her about the breach of the Stanton Corporation, how it wasn't just corporate sabotage but something bigger—a calculated move that tied back to Lucious himself. And then the worst of it: Lucious Stanton had ordered the assassination of John Whitmore.

Frederick's father.

Khai's biological grandfather.

Khai's breath hitched, but she didn't speak. She just stared at me, waiting for me to continue.

And so I did.

I told her about Letty Harrington's revenge plan, how it wasn't just about her granddaughter, Lia, or even about avenging her ruined legacy. It was personal. Lucious double-crossed John Whitmore, but not just him—Mario Harrington too.

And then, there was Lucan.

Khai's father. My breath was shaky when I told her. "Lucan was the reason Letty's only son took his own life."

Barbara and Lucan had betrayed him. Used him. Broke him. Until he saw no other way out.

I could feel the fury rolling off of Khai in waves. The muscles in her jaw clenched, her fingers flexing as if resisting the urge to break something. She took a long, slow breath, trying to ground herself.

And then, finally, I told her the last, most important piece of it all.

"I have it, Khai," I whispered, barely able to hear my own voice over the sound of my pulse pounding in my ears.

She turned to me sharply. "Have what?"

I swallowed hard, my next words feeling like they weighed a ton.

"The black book."

Khai's eyes widened.

"The one that holds every name, every deal, every crime Lucious ever committed. The proof that can finally end him." I met her gaze. "For good."

The silence between us was suffocating. Then Khai slowly leaned back, exhaling a long breath before letting out a humorless chuckle.

"Rain..." She ran a hand down her face. "Do you have any idea what this means?"