Chapter 3: The Woman Behind the Lie
The phone continued ringing.
Sarah Bennett.
Seven years.
Seven years of silence.
Seven years of believing she had abandoned him.
Damon stared at the screen while the entire garden watched.
Elisa whispered, "Don't answer.""
Those three words were louder than the ringing phone.
Damon slowly looked at her.
"Why?""
Elisa’s face tightened.
"Because you don't know what she will say.""
Damon pressed the answer button.
For a moment, there was only static.
Then a weak voice came through.
"Damon?""
His entire body went still.
It was her.
Older.
Tired.
But still Sarah.
He closed his eyes.
"Sarah.""
On the other end, he heard a shaky breath.
"I didn't think Lily would find you.""
Damon looked at the little girl standing beside him.
His daughter.
"I didn't know she existed.""
Silence.
Then Sarah whispered:
"I know.""
The pain in those two words cut deeper than anger.
Damon walked away from the crowd, holding the phone tightly.
"Where are you?""
A pause.
"Does it matter?""
"Yes.""
His voice cracked.
"It matters.""
Sarah started crying softly.
"Damon, I tried to tell you.""
"Tell me what?""
"Everything.""
He looked back at Elisa.
The woman stood frozen among the guests.
"Why did you leave?""
Another long silence.
Then Sarah answered.
"Because someone showed me proof that you wanted me gone.""
Damon frowned.
"What proof?""
"A letter.""
His heart stopped.
"I received a letter with your signature.""
Damon felt confused.
"I never wrote you a letter.""
"I know that now.""
The words were barely audible.
"But seven years ago, I was pregnant, scared, and alone.""
Damon closed his eyes.
"Sarah...""
"I thought you hated me.""
The pain in her voice made him grip the phone harder.
"I thought you chose your money over us.""
Damon looked at Lily.
A little girl who had grown up sleeping behind a church.
A little girl who saved half a slice of cake for her sick mother.
"I would never do that.""
"I know.""
Sarah cried.
"That's why I need you to hear the truth.""
Damon looked around.
"What truth?""
Before Sarah could answer, Elisa suddenly stepped forward.
"Damon, hang up.""
Everyone heard her.
Even through the phone.
There was silence.
Then Sarah’s voice changed.
"Is Elisa there?""
Damon looked at her.
"Yes.""
Sarah breathed in sharply.
"She was the one who came to the hospital.""
Damon froze.
"What?""
Sarah continued.
"She told me you had moved on.""
Elisa’s face went pale.
"She told me you were getting married to someone else.""
The garden erupted with whispers.
Damon turned toward Elisa.
"You told her that?""
Elisa shook her head.
"She's lying.""
Sarah’s voice grew weaker.
"She gave me money.""
Damon stared.
"Money?""
"She said if I truly loved you, I would disappear and stop ruining your future.""
The crowd became silent again.
Elisa stepped forward.
"You don't understand.""
Damon’s voice was cold.
"No.""
He looked at her.
"I understand perfectly.""
Elisa’s expression changed from fear to anger.
"You think you're some hero now?""
The guests looked shocked.
But Elisa continued.
"You weren't there, Damon.""
She pointed toward Lily.
"You don't know what kind of life Sarah would have given that child.""
Damon stared at her.
"You don't get to say that.""
Elisa laughed bitterly.
"I saved your life.""
"No.""
Damon shook his head.
"You destroyed it.""
The little girl suddenly pulled on his sleeve.
"Daddy?""
The word was quiet.
But everyone heard it.
Damon looked down.
Lily looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
"Are you really my daddy?""
For the first time in seven years, Damon Cross felt completely powerless.
He knelt and took her hand.
"I think I am.""
Lily smiled faintly.
Then she whispered:
"Mommy always said you would come back.""
Damon looked toward the street beyond the garden.
Toward the place where Sarah was waiting.
But before he could move, Elisa spoke one final sentence.
And it made him stop.
"Damon, if you find Sarah, she will tell you everything.""
She smiled coldly.
"She just won't tell you what happened the night Lily was born.""
Damon’s face changed.
Because suddenly he realized something.
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Elisa wasn't afraid of Sarah returning.
She was afraid of what Sarah would reveal.
