"Echo's Secret"

Julia's eyes scanned the documents, her mind swaying with the implications. Echo had been involved in some shady dealings, and it seemed that's why he has being running from his past..

But why? And how could he keep this from her?

Sophia tip in,her voice barely above a whisper. "Echo's in danger, Julia. And if it becomes serious you might be involve.

Julia's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

Sophia's eyes darted  around the coffee shop, as if she feared being overheard. "There are people looking for Echo. People who will stop at nothing to get what they want”, they are writing all the wrong doings in Echo's name…

Julia's grip on the folder tightened. "What do they want?"

Sophia's smile was grim,"They want Echo to suffer which l still don't get why l don't know who they are..l also don't have the details. And they'll do whatever it takes to get to him…

Julia felt a chill run down her spine. She had to protect Echo, no matter what.

But as she looked at Sophia, she wondered if she could trust her. Was Sophia telling the truth, or was she just trying to manipulate her? But she had to give her some trust…after all she is Echo's sister.

And then, Julia saw something that made her blood run cold. A photograph of Echo, with a caption that made her heart stop...

The caption read: "Echo, aka 'The Ghost', wanted for his clarification as he was written as a prime suspect of a crime…

Julia's eyes widened in shock. Could it be true? Was Echo really a criminal?

Sophia nodded, as if reading Julia's mind. "It's true, Julia. Echo's been living a lie. And now, his past is catching up with him."

Julia felt like she'd been punched in the gut. She didn't know what to believe.

But then, she saw something that made her heart skip even more. A photograph of Echo, with a woman who looked mysteriously like Julia herself.

"Who is this?" Julia demanded, her voice shaking.

Sophia replied sadly.. "That's Echo's late wife, Juliet She died under mysterious circumstances. And Echo was the prime suspect."

Julia's world was spinning. She didn't know what to believe.

But one thing was certain,she had to confront Echo about his past. And she have to know the truth…

The following morning, Julia was triggered with everything Sophia told her as she arrived at the company she stormed into Echo's office, the photographs and documents clutched in her hand.

"Echo, we need to talk," she said, her voice firm.

Echo looked up from his computer, a hint of fear in his eyes.

"What's going on, Julia?" he asked, his voice cautious.

Julia slammed the documents on his desk. "These are the secrets you've been hiding from me. Your past, your crimes... your late wife."

Echo's face went white. But in his heart he was very uncomfortable…he was thinking who could have known this much about his past… But he softly said to Julia with fear in his voice “Julia l can explain wh…..

But Julia cut him off. "Explain? How could you keep such a big secret, l don't know if I can trust you."

Echo took a deep breath. "I know I should have told you. But I was afraid of losing you."

Julia's eyes narrowed. "Losing me? I think you should be more truthful to me..

Echo stood up, his eyes pleading. "I know. But I swear, Julia, I've changed. I'm not that person anymore."

Julia searched his eyes, looking for the truth. But all she saw was a deep sadness… but deep down her she knew she was no good too.. But she replied boldly..

"I don't know, Echo," Julia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I need time to think."

Echo nodded, his eyes understanding. "I get it. But please, Julia, don't give up on me yet."

Julia looked at him, her heart aching. She wanted to believe him, to trust him. But could she?

As she turned to leave, Echo called out to her. "Julia?"

She turned back, her eyes questioning.

"I love you," Echo said, his voice firm. "I'll do whatever it takes to make it right."

Julia's heart skipped a beat. She wanted to believe him, to trust him.

But as she left his office, she couldn't shake off the feeling that their love was on shaky ground.

And then, just as she was about to step into the elevator, she heard a voice behind her.

"Julia, wait."

She turned to see Marcus, a sly smile spreading across his face.

"I see you know the truth about Echo now," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "But do you know the whole story?"

Julia's eyes narrowed. What was Marcus up to?

"Tell me," she said, her voice firm.

Marcus chuckled. "Oh, I'll tell you all right. But you're not going to like it..."

"Echo's past is darker than you think," Marcus said, his eyes glinting with malice. "He's not just a former criminal, Julia. He's a master manipulator."

Julia's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

Marcus smiled. "I'm talking about Juliet, his late wife. She didn't die under mysterious circumstances, Julia. She was murdered. And Echo was the prime suspect."

Julia's already knew about that.. hearing it more from Marcus made her even more curious..

"But that's not all," Marcus continued. "Echo's been using you all along. He's been playing you from the start, Julia."

Julia felt like she'd been punched in the gut. Could it be true? I hope he doesn't know why l choose to keep our relationship secret? Julia said within her heart ..

"No," she said firm.. "I don't believe you."

Marcus signed. "Believe what you want, Julia. But the truth is, Echo's been using you to get to me. He wants to take me down, and he's willing to do whatever it takes."

But Julia questioned Marcus, “what is your relationship with Echo”?

Marcus was quite unsure of what to answer..there was no reply from Marcus..Julia continued.

"Echo told me he loved me," Julia said, her voice firm. "He told me he wanted to protect me."

But Marcus replied. "Oh, Julia. You're so naive. Echo doesn't love you. He loves himself. And he'll do whatever it takes to get what he wants."

Julia's heart was racing. She didn't know what to believe.

But one thing was certain,she has to dig into the matter…

Julia stormed back into Echo's office,with sadness written all over her face..

"Echo,you need to be truthful to me she said, her voice firm.

Echo looked up from his computer, a hint of fear in his eyes.

"Julia, am sorry l wasn't truthful to you..he said with sadness written all over his face

Julia rushed over him..hugged him…putting her hands at his cheeks…”am with you”

 Julia added,Marcus!! it seems he knows a lot about your past he told me some interesting things about your past."

Echo's face went white. "What did he say?"

Julia's eyes narrowed. "He said you're a master manipulator. That you've been using me all along to get to him."

Echo stood up, his eyes pleading. "Julia, that's not true. I swear, I love you."

Julia said to him “l don't know about your love for me but you know l love you a lot.. relationship with you was a risky, it will break me to the bones if your love was a lie” Julia said sadly . Julia added do you have any hand in the death of your wife.

Echo's face full with agony. "No, Julia, I didn't. I swear on my life."

Julia searched his eyes, looking for the truth. But all she saw was a deep sadness...

Suddenly, Echo's phone rang, breaking the tension.

He hesitated, then answered it.

And what he heard made his face go white...

"Who is it?" Julia demanded, her eyes narrowing.

Echo's face was pale. "It's...it's the police. They've found new evidence in Juliet’s case."

Julia's heart skipped a beat. "What kind of evidence?”