Chapter 11: The Witness Who Disappeared
Damon knew he should have ignored the call.
Every instinct told him it was a trap.
But there was one thing stronger than caution.
The need for answers.
For seven years, he had lived with questions.
Why did Sarah leave?
Why did Elisa lie?
Why did his father hide Noah?
Now the truth was finally within reach.
He couldn't walk away.
But he also knew one thing.
He wouldn't repeat his old mistake.
He wouldn't trust blindly.
Damon contacted his security team.
Then he went to meet the mysterious caller.
Not alone.
Never again.
The location was an abandoned warehouse near the edge of the city.
Rain fell heavily against the broken windows.
Damon entered slowly.
"Hello?""
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Then a woman stepped from the shadows.
She looked older.
Tired.
Afraid.
Damon recognized her immediately.
"Patricia Wells.""
The retired nurse looked shocked.
"You know me?""
"You changed Sarah's hospital records.""
Patricia lowered her eyes.
"I was forced.""
"By who?""
She looked around nervously.
"Elisa.""
Damon stepped closer.
"Tell me everything.""
Patricia shook her head.
"I shouldn't have contacted you.""
"Why did you?""
The woman looked at him.
"Because I saw what happened.""
"What happened?""
She swallowed.
"The night your father died.""
The rain grew louder.
Damon went still.
"Start from the beginning.""
Patricia took a deep breath.
"Your father came to the hospital that night.""
Damon frowned.
"My father was in an accident.""
"No.""
Her voice was quiet.
"He came to see Sarah.""
Damon felt the world shift.
"Why?""
"Because he found out Elisa had lied.""
Sarah.
Noah.
The fake letter.
Everything.
Patricia continued.
"Your father discovered that Elisa changed the documents and took Noah.""
Damon stared.
"My father knew?""
"Yes.""
"Then why didn't he tell me?""
Patricia looked away.
"Because he was afraid.""
Damon almost laughed.
"My father was never afraid.""
"He was that night.""
She looked at him.
"Because Elisa had something against him.""
"What?""
Patricia hesitated.
"Proof.""
"Proof of what?""
The nurse opened her bag.
She removed a small envelope.
"Your father was planning to expose her.""
Damon took it.
Inside was a photograph.
His father.
Elisa.
And another man.
A man Damon didn't recognize.
"Who is that?""
Patricia whispered:
"Your uncle.""
Damon froze.
"I don't have an uncle.""
Patricia looked at him.
"That's what your father wanted everyone to believe.""
The rain outside seemed to stop.
"What are you saying?""
She handed him another paper.
A birth certificate.
Richard Cross.
And another name.
Alexander Cross.
Two brothers.
Damon stared.
His family history had been rewritten.
"Why?""
Patricia's voice trembled.
"Because your uncle wanted everything your father built.""
Damon looked at the photograph.
"And Elisa helped him?""
Patricia nodded.
"They planned everything.""
"Including my father's death?""
The nurse didn't answer.
She didn't need to.
Damon felt anger rising.
But then Patricia said something that changed everything.
"Your father wasn't the only one they tried to kill.""
Damon looked up.
"What?""
Patricia looked toward the warehouse entrance.
"Sarah was supposed to die that night too.""
The words barely left her mouth before the lights went out.
A loud crash echoed through the warehouse.
Someone had entered.
Patricia grabbed Damon’s arm.
"Run.""
But it was too late.
A voice came from the darkness.
"You always were too curious, Damon.""
Damon froze.
May you like
Because he knew that voice.
Elisa Rochefort.
