Chapter 6 - Unraveling the Empire
My father didn't fight back as the federal agents pulled his arms behind his back. The arrogant titan of Denver real estate looked like a broken old man, his tailored suit rumpled, his hair disheveled, weeping quietly as they marched him out the front door into the flashing strobes of the command vehicle.
My mother collapsed onto the sofa, wailing uncontrollably. ""Everything is gone... my home, my friends, my entire life... Maya, how could you do this to us? How could you bring this into our house?""
""Maya didn't bring this into your house, Mom,"" I said, kneeling down so my eyes were level with hers. ""Dad brought it in when he chose greed over honor. And you brought it in every single day you chose to turn a blind eye to his lies because you wanted to pretend to be royalty.""
Brad was already backing toward the rear patio sliding door, trying to slip away through the backyard darkness.
""Mr. Sterling,"" General Vance called out without even turning around. ""If you take another step toward that glass door, my sniper team on the neighboring roof will put a laser on your chest. Sit back down.""
Brad froze mid-step, his hands immediately flying into the air. He stumbled back to the couch and fell onto it, shaking like a leaf. ""Look, General... Maya... Colonel Vance! I didn't know anything about the Buckley real estate! I swear! I just started dating Tiffany three months ago! I was just playing along for the social media clout! Don't ruin my career!""
""Your father's firm has been receiving retainer fees from those shell companies for eight months, Mr. Sterling,"" I said, crossing my arms. ""Federal subpoenas are being served at his downtown office right now. You won't have a career to worry about by tomorrow morning.""
Brad turned on Tiffany with pure hatred in his eyes. ""You told me your family was untouchable! You told me your father was a billionaire! You dragged me into this federal nightmare for your pathetic, fake internet clout!""
""Brad, stop!"" Tiffany screamed, holding her face in her hands. ""I didn't know! I swear I didn't know!""
""We're done!"" Brad yelled, ripping off his expensive blazer and throwing it onto the floor. ""I’m getting a separate lawyer! Don't you ever talk to me again!""
Tiffany sat curled into a ball on the expensive designer carpet, watching the shallow, transactional world she had built crumble in a matter of seconds. Every friend who had laughed at her jokes, every party guest who had toasted her success, was currently sitting silently in the other room, terrified of being questioned by federal agents, avoiding eye contact with her entirely.
General Vance stepped beside me, his voice softening slightly. ""Colonel, the transport is ready to head to base. We need you on-site for the full technical data extraction. Are you ready to leave?""
I looked around the house. The grand crystal chandeliers. The polished hardwood floors. The photographs on the mantelpiece that only featured Tiffany at graduation ceremonies, tennis tournaments, and luxury vacations—with not a single picture of me in uniform, or anywhere else.
For five years, I had held onto a childish dream that if I accomplished enough, if I became honorable enough, they would finally see me. They would finally be proud. But standing here, amidst the shattered illusion, I realized that some people are so hollow that even the purest light only exposes the darkness inside them.
""Maya, please,"" Tiffany choked out, reaching for my pant leg. ""Don't leave me here alone with them... what am I supposed to do?""
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I looked down at my sister. The cruelty was gone, replaced by the terrified panic of a little girl who had never learned how to survive without a script.
""You're going to turn off your camera, Tiffany,"" I said quietly. ""You're going to learn what an honest day of work actually feels like. And for once in your life, you're going to face reality without a filter.""
