Falling for the Villian : A Novel Rewritten Chapter 4

THE UNRAVELING TRUTH

A dimly lit room filled with old photographs and memories, the air thick with tension. Hendrix stands at the doorway, confusion etched on his face as he addresses his grandfather, Adriano Paxton, who lies lifeless on the floor. The sound of footsteps echoes down the hall as Sirius Blackwell rushes in.

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

(voice trembling) Grandfather? I...I just wanted to talk about my parents. I found out it wasn't an accident. They were murdered. Please, say something!

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

(Hendrix steps closer, his heart racing.)

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

(shaking his head) Why didn't you tell me? I thought you knew. I thought I could finally understand-

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

(He notices Adriano's pale face, panic settling in.)

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

Oh no... no, no, no! Grandfather! What happened? Please, wake up

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

(kneels beside Adriano, feeling the coldness of his skin, tears blurring his vision.)

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

(Choking back sobs) You promised me you'd always be there. You were supposed to... to protect me.

(Suddenly, the door bursts open, and Sirius Blackwell rushes in, his expression shifting from concern to shock.)

Sirius Blackwell

(shouting) Hendrix! Get away from him!

Sirius Blackwell

(scans the room, assessing the situation.)

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

(whispering, broken) He's... he's dead, Sirius... I don't know what happened. I thought he could help me!

Sirius Blackwell

( kneels next to Hendrix, placing a protective hand on his shoulder.)

Sirius Blackwell

It's alright... just breathe. We need to get out of here. You're not safe.

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

(frantically) What do you mean? I just wanted answers! Why would someone do this?

Sirius Blackwell

(looks around warily, his eyes darkening.)

Sirius Blackwell

Trust me, Hendrix. There are forces at play that you don't fully understand. Your parents didn't just die... they were taken from you. And now, someone is coming after you.

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

BUT I HAVE QUESTIONS! I NEED TO KNOW WHO...WHY??

Sirius Blackwell

(Sirius stands up, urgency in his tone.)

Sirius Blackwell

We can't stay here. I promise, I'll help you find the answers, but our first priority is your safety.

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

(Hendrix stands, anger and despair battling within him.)

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

(defiant) I won't run away, Sirius! Not again. I lost my parents, and now I can't lose anyone else!

Sirius Blackwell

(softening) I understand, but you're not alone. I'm here. We'll get to the bottom of this together, but we need to move.

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

(He looks at his grandfather one last time, determination hardening his resolve.)

Hendrix Paxton (Novel ML)

(more quietly) Alright. But I want to know everything... even if it's dangerous.

Sirius Blackwell

(nodding) Then let's get out of here. We'll dig up the truth, together.

They turn to leave, the weight of loss still heavy in the air as they step into the unknown.