I opened the door. Julia stood there with tears staining her face, her eyes tired and full of genuine worry. «Come in,» I stepped aside. «Tell me everything. From the beginning.»

We sat in the kitchen, drinking tea as Julia talked. She told me how she started working for an international company and caught the attention of people who offered her a special job she couldn’t refuse. She told me how she met Richard—it wasn’t by accident, but an assignment. He was already working for them.

«I didn’t know he was married to you when we first met,» Julia admitted, looking away. «By the time I realized he was your husband, it was too late to back out.»

«Too late?» I shook my head in disbelief. «You saw me all the time for three years while you were sleeping with my husband. How could you?»

«I’m not proud of what I did, Victoria,» her voice trembled. «But you don’t understand how it works. Once you agree to the first deal, they own you.»

«And Richard?» I asked. «Was he forced to?»

Julia let out a bitter laugh. «Richard? He was one of the architects behind it all. A financial genius, they called him.»

I felt a deep pain tighten in my chest. Fifteen years of marriage to a man I clearly never really knew. «And our marriage? Was that part of the plan too?»

Julia looked away, and her silence told me everything. «At first, yes,» she finally said. «He needed a cover. The image of a respectable family man. You were perfect for that role.»

«And after that?»

«I don’t know, Victoria,» Julia shrugged. «I think he did care for you, in his own way.»

I sat there, trying to process it all. «Why are you here, Julia?» I finally asked. «Is it really to warn me?»

«I’m here because I care about you,» her eyes filled with tears. «Because you are my sister. And I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.»

«How did you know it was me?»

«There was no doubt,» Julia shrugged. «After you disappeared, and then suddenly these articles come out. Richard still doesn’t suspect you, by the way. He thinks the leak is one of his partners.»

«And you didn’t tell him?»

«No,» Julia shook her head. «And I won’t. But Victoria, there are others. People much smarter and more dangerous than Richard. Sooner or later, they’ll figure it out.»

I stood up and walked to the window. «I won’t stop, Julia,» I finally said without turning around. «Not now.»

«Justice?» Julia let out a humorless laugh. «You really think a few articles can take down a system that’s been built over decades?»

«I don’t know,» I turned to face her. «But I have to try. For Grandpa, who believed in me. For myself.»

Julia looked at me with a mix of surprise, admiration, and fear. «You’ve changed, Victoria,» she finally said. «You were never this determined.»

«I never knew what I was capable of,» I smiled. «I always felt like a shadow. But now, I’ve finally found my own path.»

Julia stood, walked over to me, and took my hands. «I’m scared for you, Victoria,» her voice trembled with genuine worry.

«I know,» I squeezed her hands back. «And I’m ready.»

«I have… protection. Grandpa’s inheritance?» she gave a sad little smile. «He always believed in you more than me.»

«He believed in both of us,» I shook my head. «Just in different ways.»

«So what now?» Julia asked.

«I’ll keep going with what I started,» I said.

«It’s dangerous, Victoria,» Julia shook her head. «They’ll find you.»

«Then let them try,» I shrugged. «I’m no longer that naive librarian they can intimidate. I have resources, knowledge, and support. And I’m not afraid.»

Julia looked at me for a long time, as if seeing me for the first time. Then she nodded. «Then let me help,» she said unexpectedly. «I have access to information you don’t. Names, dates, accounts. Everything that can make your articles even stronger.»

I froze, stunned. Julia, who had been part of this system for years, was offering to be an informant. «Why?» I asked, unable to hide my skepticism.

«Because you’re my sister,» she said simply. «And because… maybe this is my only chance to do something right.»

I looked at her, searching for hidden motives. But all I saw was a tired woman who, maybe for the first time in a long while, was being honest. «I’ll think about it,» I finally said.

«Of course,» Julia nodded. «Just know the offer stands.» She pulled a card out of her purse and set it on the table. «This is my new number. A secure line. You can call anytime.»

I picked up the card, turning it over in my hands. Part of me wanted to believe her. Another part feared it was just another trap. «Thank you,» I finally said, slipping the card into my pocket. «I’ll contact you when I’m ready.»

Julia nodded and stood up to leave. «Be careful, Victoria,» she said, standing in the doorway.

«I know,» I smiled with a confidence I hadn’t felt before. «And I’m ready.»

After Julia left, I sat in silence for a long time. Could I trust her? But there was another question that bothered me even more. Could I afford to refuse her help? The information she offered could make our investigation even stronger. I didn’t have the answers, not yet. But I knew I had to keep going.

The following weeks were intense. Mitchell’s new publications sparked growing waves of reaction. Social media exploded with debates, and even state-run TV channels were forced to respond, dismissing the investigation as foreign propaganda. All the while, Julia’s offer hovered in my mind.

I had just finished working on new documents for Mitchell when my phone rang. An unknown number. I didn’t answer, but a minute later, a text arrived: Turn on the TV. Any news channel. Urgent. J.

I turned on the TV and froze. On the screen was Richard, my ex-husband, surrounded by police officers. A banner ran along the bottom of the screen: Head of Financial Department of Major Energy Corporation Arrested.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. The phone rang again. This time I answered. «Julia?»

«You see it?» Julia’s voice was tight. «They arrested him. And a few others from our team.»

«How did this happen? This isn’t because of our publications.»

«Of course it’s not,» Julia said bitterly. «This is internal politics. Someone at the top decided Richard and his people were getting too greedy.»

«But that’s good, isn’t it?» I struggled to process what was happening.

«You don’t understand how it works, Victoria,» Julia cut me off. «This isn’t justice. It’s just a show. They’ll spend some time under house arrest, pay some fines, and then it will all start again.»

«Then why are you calling me?»

«Because,» Julia paused, «now it’s your turn, Victoria. Now they’ll start looking for the source of the leaks. And when they find you, your fate will be far worse than Richard’s.»

A chill ran down my spine. The stakes were higher now. «What do you suggest?» I asked.

«The same thing I said before. Leave. Now, while you still can.»

I stayed silent, thinking. Leave. Abandon everything I’d started. «I can’t, Julia,» I finally said. «Not now, when we’re so close.»

«God, Victoria, this time it could cost you your life,» Julia’s voice broke.

«I know the risks,» I said calmly. «And I’m ready to take them.»

Julia was silent for so long I thought the call had dropped. «Then I need to see you,» she finally said. «Immediately. I have information that can help you.»

I hesitated. Could I trust her? What if it was a trap? But what if she was truly trying to help? «Okay,» I finally said. «Where and when?»

«Central Park. By the pond near your apartment. In an hour. Come alone.»

«Okay,» I nodded. «I’ll be there.»

I opened the safe and took out the gun Grandpa had left me, checked it was loaded, then tucked it into my coat pocket. I gathered the most important documents and wrote a short note, just in case. I left my apartment and walked toward the park.

It was a cold autumn evening. The park was nearly empty. I reached the meeting spot, a bench by the small pond. Julia wasn’t there yet. I sat down, my senses on high alert. Fifteen minutes passed. Still no Julia.