Chapter 7 - The Woman in the Hospital
The shadow vanished.
Roman pulled Serena away from the window.
“Basement.”
They escaped through a service corridor.
Sofia followed.
By dawn, they reached a private clinic outside the city.
Roman's doctor admitted Serena's mother under another name.
When Serena entered the room, she stopped.
The woman in the bed was older.
Thinner.
But the eyes were unmistakable.
“Mom.”
Her mother began crying.
Serena crossed the room.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then they embraced.
“I thought you were dead.”
“I wanted you to believe that.”
“Why?”
“To keep you alive.”
Serena stepped back.
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
Her mother looked toward Roman.
“He knows why.”
Roman remained near the door.
Serena's mother whispered:
“Your father betrayed everyone.”
Roman's face hardened.
“He wasn't the only one.”
Her mother nodded.
“That's why I disappeared.”
She explained that Antonio had built his power through blackmail. He had collected evidence against powerful men and used it to control the city.
But someone inside his organization had betrayed him.
A man named Viktor Hale.
Viktor had wanted the ledger.
When Antonio refused, Viktor ordered the twins killed.
Their mother saved them.
She gave Serena to Roman.
Sofia was hidden elsewhere.
But six years earlier, Roman had discovered that Viktor was still searching.
He married Serena publicly.
That made her his protected family.
It also made her the perfect target.
Serena stared at Roman.
“You could have told me.”
“I thought silence would keep you safe.”
“It made me lonely.”
Roman looked down.
“I know.”
Her mother reached for Serena.
“There is one more thing.”
“What?”
“Your father didn't disappear.”
Serena froze.
“He was captured by Viktor.”
“Is he alive?”
Her mother nodded.
“He escaped three days ago.”
Roman immediately reached for his phone.
Too late.
A message appeared.
I'M COMING FOR MY DAUGHTERS.
Serena looked at Roman.
“Which daughter?”
Roman didn't answer.
Her mother's face turned pale.
“Both.”
Then every light in the clinic went out.
A man's voice came through the hallway.
“Serena.”
She recognized it.
May you like
Her father's voice.
The door handle began to turn...
