Chapter 13 — The Truth She Buried

Lena stared at her mother.

“Your real father?”

The words barely came out.

Her mother looked away, unable to meet her eyes.

Adrian stood silently near the foot of the bed, his face unreadable.

Lena turned toward Daniel.

He didn't deny it.

That hurt more than anything.

“You knew?”

Daniel lowered his head.

“I knew.”

Lena felt like the floor had disappeared beneath her.

“All these years…”

Her voice cracked.

“You let me believe you were my father.”

Daniel stepped closer. “I was your father in every way that mattered.”

“But you lied to me.”

“I was protecting you.”

“Everyone keeps saying that.” Lena wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Everyone lies, then calls it protection.”

Her mother reached for her.

“Lena, please.”

She pulled her hand away.

“Who is he?”

Her mother swallowed.

“His name is Michael Carter.”

Lena frowned.

“Carter?”

“Yes.”

Adrian's eyes narrowed.

“Daniel changed her surname.”

Lena looked at him.

“Why?”

Her mother answered quietly.

“Because your real father was dangerous.”

The room became silent again.

“What did he do?”

“He worked with Adrian's father.”

Adrian's expression hardened.

“Doing what?”

Her mother hesitated.

“Money. Shell companies. Transfers. Things your father couldn't let anyone discover.”

Lena stared at her.

“So my real father was involved in all of this?”

“He was involved before I knew the truth.”

“And then?”

“He wanted out.”

Adrian took a step closer.

“Why?”

“Because he discovered what your father was planning.”

“My father?”

Her mother nodded.

“He knew about the money laundering. He knew about the people your father had ruined. And he knew what happened to your mother.”

Adrian's face went cold.

“You're saying Michael knew my mother was going to be killed?”

“He tried to stop it.”

“Did he fail?”

Her mother looked down.

“He disappeared.”

Lena's heart pounded.

“Where?”

“We don't know.”

Adrian's eyes remained fixed on her mother.

“Twenty-four years ago?”

She nodded.

“Before Lena was born.”

Lena suddenly remembered the old photograph.

Her mother's face.

Daniel standing beside her.

And the mysterious man behind them.

“Was that him?”

Her mother didn't answer.

She didn't need to.

Lena stepped back.

“So he is my father.”

“Yes.”

“And Daniel raised me because he disappeared?”

“Yes.”

Lena laughed bitterly.

“This is insane.”

Adrian approached her slowly.

“Lena.”

She looked at him.

For once, there was no coldness in his eyes.

Only concern.

“I need some air.”

She walked out before anyone could stop her.

The hospital corridor was almost empty.

She leaned against the wall and covered her face.

Her entire life suddenly felt like a story someone else had written.

Daniel wasn't her biological father.

Her real father had been involved with Adrian's family.

And somehow, Damian Cross was connected to all of it.

Footsteps approached.

Adrian stopped beside her.

“You don't have to deal with this alone.”

Lena lowered her hands.

“You don't understand.”

“I understand more than you think.”

She looked at him.

“Your father killed your mother. My father disappeared. Our families are connected to crimes from twenty years ago.”

Adrian didn't respond.

“And somehow,” she continued, “I'm in the middle of it.”

“You were put in the middle.”

“By who?”

His silence answered her.

Lena looked down the hallway.

“Damian.”

Adrian nodded.

“He wants something from you.”

“What?”

“I don't know yet.”

Her phone suddenly vibrated.

Lena pulled it from her pocket.

One new message.

YOU'RE ASKING THE WRONG QUESTIONS.

Her heart raced.

Another message appeared.

ASK YOUR MOTHER WHO YOUR FATHER WAS RUNNING FROM.

Lena showed Adrian.

His expression darkened.

Then another message came.

AND ASK ADRIAN WHAT HIS FATHER DID TO HIM.

Adrian stared at the screen.

“What does that mean?” Lena asked.

Before he could answer, the hospital lights suddenly flickered.

Once.

Twice.

Then the entire hallway went dark.

Lena felt Adrian's hand close around hers.

“Stay behind me.”

A sound came from the end of the corridor.

Footsteps.

Slow.

Approaching.

Adrian pulled Lena closer.

Then a man's voice echoed through the darkness.

“Lena Carter.”

She stopped breathing.

The voice came closer.

“I've been looking for you for a very long time.”