Mother by Chance

Chapter 14: The Truth About Marcus

Alex's heart was racing as Ethan stood his ground, refusing to back down from Marcus.

"What do you want from us?" Ethan demanded, his eyes locked on Marcus.

Marcus sneered, his gun still trained on them. "I want what's mine," he said. "And that includes the baby."

Alex's eyes widened in horror. "You can't have our baby," she said, her voice shaking.

Marcus laughed. "Oh, but I can," he said. "You see, Alex, you're not just any ordinary woman. You're a woman with a very special gift. And that gift is worth a lot of money."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?" he asked.

Marcus smiled. "Alex's baby is not just any ordinary baby," he said. "It's a baby with a very unique genetic makeup. A genetic makeup that could change the course of human history."

Alex's mind was reeling. What was Marcus talking about?

Ethan's eyes were locked on Marcus. "You're not going to get away with this," he said.

Marcus laughed. "Oh, but I already have," he said. "You see, Ethan, you're not the only one who's been watching Alex. I've been watching her too. And I know all about her little secret."

Alex's heart skipped a beat. What secret was Marcus talking about?

Ethan's eyes were locked on Marcus. "You're not going to hurt Alex or her baby," he said.

Marcus smiled. "Oh, but I'm not going to hurt them," he said. "I'm going to help them. I'm going to help them unlock the secrets of their unique genetic makeup."

Alex's mind was reeling. What did Marcus mean?

And then, just as she was about to ask another question, Ethan made a move. He lunged at Marcus, grabbing his gun and twisting it out of his hand.

"It's over," Ethan said, his eyes locked on Marcus.

But as Alex looked at Marcus, she saw something that made her blood run cold. A small tattoo on his wrist. A tattoo that looked eerily familiar.

"Wait," Alex said, her voice shaking. "Don't hurt him."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Why not?" he asked.

Alex's eyes were locked on the tattoo. "Because I think I know who he is," she said.

Ethan's eyes widened. "Who is he?" he asked.

Alex took a deep breath. "I think he's my brother," she said.

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Your brother?" he repeated.

Alex nodded. "Yes," she said. "I'm sure of it."

Marcus's eyes flickered with surprise, and for a moment, Alex saw a glimmer of something else in his eyes. Something that looked almost like... affection?

But then, his expression hardened again, and he sneered at Alex. "You're wrong," he said. "I'm not your brother."

Alex's eyes narrowed. "Don't lie to me," she said. "I know it's you."

Marcus's eyes flickered again, and for a moment, Alex thought she saw a glimmer of uncertainty in his eyes.

But then, his expression hardened again, and he sneered at Alex. "You're just a foolish little girl," he said. "You don't know what you're talking about."

Alex's eyes flashed with anger. "I'm not a foolish little girl," she said. "I'm a woman who's been through hell. And I know what I'm talking about."

Ethan's eyes were locked on Marcus. "Tell us the truth," he said. "Who are you?"

Marcus's eyes flickered again, and for a moment, Alex thought she saw a glimmer of something else in his eyes. Something that looked almost like... regret?

But then, his expression hardened again, and he sneered at Alex. "I'm just a man who's trying to protect his interests," he said.

Alex's eyes narrowed. "What interests?" she asked.

Marcus's eyes flickered again, and for a moment, Alex thought she saw a glimmer of something else in his eyes. Something that looked almost like... fear?

But then, his expression hardened again, and he sneered at Alex. "You'll never know," he said.

And with that, Marcus turned and ran, disappearing into the night.

Alex's eyes were locked on the spot where Marcus had disappeared. "What just happened?" she asked.

Ethan's eyes were locked on Alex. "I don't know," he said. "But I think we just uncovered a whole lot more than we bargained for."

As they stood there, trying to make sense of what had just happened, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that Marcus was still out there, watching them.

And she couldn't help