My Deadly Desire

Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Betrayal

Isabella's POV

The weight of yesterday clung to me like a shroud as I woke. Confusion and regret tangled in my mind, a stark reminder of the mistake I knew falling for Alexander was. Yet, my heart remained a stubborn traitor.

A buzz from my phone jolted me back to reality. David, having met with the journalist the night before, wanted to debrief. With a sigh, I shouldered my keys and stepped out, determined to focus on the fight ahead.

David chose a quiet café on the city's fringe. Tucked away from the urban clamor, it offered a sense of calm. Inside, I spotted him at a corner table, a serious expression etched on his face as he cradled a coffee cup. He waved me over.

"Good morning," he greeted, a hint of concern underlying his words.

"Morning," I murmured, masking the turmoil within. "How'd the meeting with the journalist go?"

He took a thoughtful sip before replying. "Productive. Her name's Lisa, and she's a heavyweight in exposing corruption. We're in good hands."

A flicker of hope ignited within me. "That's great news. What did you discuss?"

David leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low murmur. "We laid out our evidence and how it could bring down Alexander's family. Lisa agrees we have a strong case, but she wants us to fortify it."

"How?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"Financial records, incriminating emails, anything that links Alexander and his family to their crimes," he explained. "Lisa also suggested gathering testimonies from those impacted by them. The more voices, the harder it becomes to deny wrongdoing."

The weight of his words settled in. "Makes sense. Any leads on where to find this evidence?"

He nodded. "Lisa has contacts who might be able to help. She'll reach out to them and see what they can dig up. In the meantime, we need to scour our own resources and stay under the radar."

"Keeping a low profile might be tricky," I admitted. "Alexander's already suspicious. He was livid last night when he found out I'd gone out alone."

David's brow furrowed. "You need to be cautious, Isabella. He's dangerous, and if he catches wind of our plans, retaliation is a sure bet."

Frustration laced my voice. "I know, but I can't just stand by. We have to act."

A hand reached across the table, squeezing mine in a gesture of solidarity. "We are, Isabella. We'll bring them down, but strategically."

I returned the squeeze, a surge of gratitude warming me. "Thank you, David. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"We'll get through this," he assured me. "Now, let's dissect this plan."

He unfurled a notebook, outlining our next steps. "First, evidence gathering. I'll work with Lisa to tap her network. Meanwhile, comb through anything you have at home, anything that could be useful."

"Got it," I said, mentally taking notes. "What about testimonies? How do we find people willing to speak out?"

"Lisa has leads there too," he replied. "She'll connect us with potential witnesses. We should also brainstorm anyone we know who might have been affected by Alexander's family. Anyone who witnessed something or has a story to tell."

I nodded, resolve solidifying. "I'll compile a list. Anything else?"

"Once we have a solid case, Lisa will help us build a comprehensive report. We'll present it to the authorities and the media simultaneously, creating a public outcry that forces action."