Chapter 2: The Husband I Buried
I couldn't breathe.
The cabin felt smaller.
The air felt heavier.
I stared at the message on Matteo’s phone until the words blurred.
My husband.
Daniel.
The man who had held my hand while doctors told us our sons were gone.
The man who had cried beside me at their funeral.
The man I thought had lost everything with me.
“No,” I whispered.
Matteo watched me carefully.
“You know him.””
I shook my head.
“That’s impossible.””
The phone rang.
Everyone froze.
Matteo answered.
A man's voice came through the speaker.
“Did Elena recognize the photograph?””
My entire body went cold.
Because I knew that voice.
“Daniel?””
Silence.
Then a quiet laugh.
“Elena.””
My legs almost gave out.
The man I had buried in my memories was alive.
“Where are my sons?”” I screamed.
The voice remained calm.
“You always were emotional.””
Matteo’s expression turned dangerous.
“Who are you?””
The voice ignored him.
“Elena, you weren’t supposed to discover this yet.””
“Discover what?”” I cried.
“That your children were never dead.””
My hand covered my mouth.
A sound escaped me that didn't feel human.
I wanted to believe him.
I wanted to hate him.
I wanted to wake up.
Matteo stepped closer.
“Where are the children?””
The voice paused.
Then Daniel said:
“Ask your new friend.””
Matteo’s eyes narrowed.
“What does that mean?””
The call ended.
I collapsed into the seat.
“No.””
Matteo crouched in front of me.
“Elena.””
I looked at him.
“I watched them die.””
“Did you?””
The question hurt more than anything.
Because I didn't know.
Three months earlier, I had been unconscious after giving birth.
The hospital told me there were complications.
They told me my sons didn't survive.
Daniel handled everything.
The paperwork.
The funeral arrangements.
The doctors.
I trusted him.
I trusted my husband.
Matteo stood.
“Something about this doesn't make sense.””
A security officer entered.
“Boss, we found something.””
Matteo turned.
“What?””
“The recruiter who hired Elena doesn't exist.””
My blood ran cold.
“What?””
The officer placed a folder on the table.
“Fake company. Fake address. Fake employees.””
Matteo opened another file.
“And the flight ticket?””
“Purchased through a shell account.””
I stared at the documents.
Someone had planned this.
Someone had brought me onto this jet.
Someone wanted Matteo to find me.
“Why?”” I whispered.
Nobody answered.
Then the captain announced our landing.
The moment the wheels touched the runway, Matteo stopped me from leaving.
“I need you to stay with me.””
I pulled my arm away.
“I need to find my children.””
“And you think running alone is safer?””
“I don't know you.””
His eyes hardened.
“No. But I know people who do.””
Before I could respond, a gunshot echoed outside.
The cabin lights flickered.
Everyone dropped.
The bodyguards moved instantly.
Matteo pulled his daughter close.
“Stay down!””
I heard shouting outside.
Then footsteps.
Someone was trying to board the aircraft.
A guard looked through the window.
“Boss…”
Matteo looked at him.
“What?””
The guard’s face turned pale.
“It’s Daniel.””
My heart stopped.
The door opened.
And there he stood.
My husband.
Alive.
But different.
Colder.
Behind him were two men carrying photographs.
Photographs of my sons.
Daniel looked directly at me.
“Elena.””
I couldn't move.
May you like
He smiled slightly.
“I’m sorry you had to find out this way.””
