Chapter 12: The Woman Who Controlled Everything
The lights flickered back on.
Elisa stood near the entrance.
Perfectly dressed.
Calm.
As if she hadn't spent years destroying lives.
Damon stared at her.
"You followed me.""
She smiled.
"You were never good at hiding your emotions.""
Patricia stepped behind Damon.
"Stay away from him.""
Elisa looked at the nurse.
"You should have stayed quiet.""
Patricia’s face went pale.
"You ruined enough lives.""
Elisa laughed softly.
"Did I?""
She looked at Damon.
"Look at him.""
Damon didn't move.
"You still think you're the hero.""
Her smile disappeared.
"You don't know anything.""
Damon walked closer.
"I know you stole my children.""
For the first time, Elisa looked angry.
"I protected them.""
"No.""
His voice was cold.
"You protected yourself.""
Elisa shook her head.
"You have no idea what your family was.""
Damon stopped.
"My family?""
"Your father wasn't the man you thought he was.""
Patricia interrupted.
"He was trying to expose you.""
Elisa looked at her.
"And he failed.""
Damon’s eyes narrowed.
"You killed him.""
Elisa didn't answer.
That silence was enough.
Damon stepped closer.
"You killed my father.""
Her expression changed.
Not guilt.
Something worse.
Resentment.
"Your father destroyed my life first.""
Damon stared.
"What does that mean?""
Elisa laughed.
"You think I wanted money?""
She stepped forward.
"You think I wanted your company?""
Her eyes became filled with anger.
"I wanted what Sarah had.""
Damon felt confused.
"What?""
"Your love.""
Silence.
Elisa continued.
"Your father promised me everything.""
Damon froze.
"What?""
"He promised I would become part of the Cross family.""
Her voice became bitter.
"Then Sarah appeared.""
Damon understood.
This was never just about power.
It was obsession.
Elisa had wanted his life.
His family.
His place.
And when she couldn't have it...
She destroyed it.
"You were jealous.""
Elisa smiled.
"Jealous people do desperate things.""
Damon shook his head.
"You stole children because you couldn't accept losing.""
Her expression hardened.
"You don't understand.""
"No.""
He looked at her.
"I understand perfectly.""
Elisa stepped closer.
"Do you want to know the worst part?""
Damon said nothing.
"I could have taken Lily too.""
His blood ran cold.
"But I didn't.""
"Why?""
"Because Sarah was weak.""
Elisa smiled.
"I knew she would spend her life running.""
Damon clenched his fists.
Then Patricia suddenly spoke.
"There's something else you don't know.""
Elisa turned.
Patricia looked at Damon.
"Your father left behind evidence.""
Elisa's face changed.
"What?""
Patricia smiled faintly.
"He knew you would come after him.""
Damon looked at Patricia.
"What evidence?""
The nurse reached into her coat.
But before she could remove anything, Elisa moved.
Fast.
A struggle.
The envelope fell.
Damon grabbed it.
Elisa backed away.
"You have no idea what you're opening.""
Damon looked at the envelope.
"Maybe.""
He opened it.
Inside was a final letter.
Written by his father.
The first line made Damon freeze.
Damon,
If you are reading this, then Elisa has finally shown you who she really is.
He continued reading.
And then he reached the last sentence.
May you like
The sentence that changed everything.
Your mother is still alive, and she knows the truth about all of this.
