LOGIN“It was me.”
The words barely left Dan’s mouth before the entire warehouse seemed to fall silent.Saria stared at him.For a moment, she couldn’t breathe.“You?”Dan swallowed hard.“I was driving that night.”Saria took a step backward.“No.”Her voice came out as a whisper.“No, you’re lying.”“I’m not.”“You said you didn’t know what happened.”“I was afraid.”“Afra“Lucas, step away from my wife.” Saria froze. The voice came from the darkness beyond the broken doorway, deep and familiar in a way that made her chest ache. Lucas stood in front of her, his weapon raised. “Stay where you are,” he warned. A man stepped into the light. He was tall, with dark hair and a faint scar near his left eyebrow. His shirt was stained with blood, and exhaustion shadowed his face, but his eyes never left Saria. He looked at her as though he had spent years searching for her. “Saria,” he whispered. She stared at him. Something inside her stirred, but her memories remained stubbornly out of reach. “Who are you?” The question seemed to wound him. For a moment, he said nothing.
“My daughters are there. My husband may be alive. And someone has spent years making sure I never remember what happened.”Saria held Lucas’s gaze, refusing to back down.For a moment, he said nothing.Then he looked at Adams. “Get the car.”Adams hesitated. “You can’t be serious.”“Do I look like I’m joking?”“The message specifically said she should come alone.”“And you think sending her alone is a better idea?” Lucas snapped. “Get the car, Adams.”Adams muttered something under his breath before walking toward the parking area.Saria turned to Lucas. “You’re coming with me?”“I’m not letting you walk into that place without protection.”“That’s not what I asked.”His expression tightened.“Yes, Saria. I’m coming.”She searched his face, wondering how many more answers he would avoid giving her.“Then I have one condition.”
Saria couldn’t move.The phone lay on the floor between her and Victoria, its screen still glowing. Tell my wife I’m ready to see her. My wife. Saria’s fingers tightened around the silver key until its sharp edges pressed into her palm. “Who is he?” Victoria didn’t answer. Saria stepped toward her. “Who was that man?” “Give me the key.” “Tell me his name!” Victoria’s eyes darted toward the door before returning to Saria. The fear on her face was real, and that frightened Saria more than any of her threats. “You need to leave,” Victoria said. Saria stared at her in disbelief. “Five minutes ago, you were threatening me. Now you’re telling me to run? What are you afraid of?” A faint sound came from the phone. Then the man’s voice returned.
Saria stared at the photograph on her phone, her fingers trembling.Lily sat on the cold floor, her wrists bound behind her. Emma was beside her, leaning against Lily’s shoulder. Both girls looked frightened, but it was the man standing in the background that made Saria’s blood run cold.His face was hidden in the shadows.Yet something about his posture felt familiar.Something she couldn’t explain.ROOM 17. COME ALONE.She read the message again.“Don’t even think about going there alone.”Lucas’s voice cut through her thoughts.Saria lifted her head. “You don’t get to tell me what to do.”“I’m trying to keep you alive.”“And I’m trying to get my daughters back!”The words escaped her before she could stop them.Her daughters.The realization struck her with such force that she had to steady herself against the wall.Lily’s face flashed throug
Saria stood frozen at the top of the stairs. The little girl stared at her through tear-filled eyes. “Mummy?” That single word shattered something inside Saria. She took a slow step forward. “Who are you?” The girl wiped her tears. “You don’t remember me?” Saria’s chest tightened. “I… I’m sorry.” Victoria smiled behind the child. “She remembers more than she thinks.” Saria glared at her. “Where is Lily?” Victoria’s smile disappeared. “You’ll see her soon.” “Bring her to me.” “First, you need to meet your other daughter.” Saria looked at the little girl again. “My daughter?” The child nodded. “My name is Emma.” Saria’s heart skipped. Emma.
Saria stared at the photograph.“Mine?”Lucas nodded slowly.“Yes.”Saria shook her head.“No. That’s impossible.”“You said you didn’t remember.”“I remember Lily.”“But do you remember her?”Saria looked at the little girl again.Something inside her shifted.The child’s eyes.Her smile.The tiny scar above her eyebrow.Saria’s breathing stopped.She touched the photograph.“I’ve seen this girl before.”“Where?”“I don’t know.”Then—A memory struck her.A little girl running through the same hallway.“Mummy!”Saria dropped the photograph.She staggered backward.Lucas caught her.“Saria!”“My head…”She pressed both hands against her temples.Images flashed rapidly.Lily laughing.Her father shouting.







