Chapter 5 - Four Years Without a Touch
“Mom?”
Hazel moved toward the door.
Damian stopped her.
“Wait.”
“That’s my mother.”
“You don't know that.”
“I know her voice.”
Damian signaled Marco.
The security team surrounded the exit.
“Sarah?” Samuel called.
No answer.
The door opened.
Nobody stood outside.
Only a recorder.
Hazel picked it up.
Her mother’s voice played.
If you're hearing this, sweetheart, they found you.
Hazel covered her mouth.
The recording explained that Sarah had faked her death after learning someone was still searching for the archive.
She couldn't tell Hazel.
Knowing would have endangered her.
Sarah had planned to return.
Something prevented it.
The message ended with:
Trust the man who refuses to touch you.
Hazel slowly looked at Damian.
Marco looked away, wisely.
Damian seemed annoyed at the universe.
“That is unusually specific,” Hazel whispered.
“Yes.”
For the first time in days, she laughed.
Damian did too.
Barely.
It changed his entire face.
Later, back at the estate, Hazel found him alone on the balcony.
“You loved Elena very much.”
“Yes.”
“Do you feel guilty when you laugh?”
Damian looked at her.
The accuracy of the question disturbed him.
“Yes.”
Hazel stood beside him.
“My mom used to say grief becomes a room you keep visiting even after you've moved out.”
“She sounds smarter than most people I know.”
“She was.”
“Is.”
Hazel swallowed.
Maybe.
Damian looked toward the city.
“I thought touching another woman would mean I had forgotten Elena.”
“And now?”
His eyes met hers.
“Now I think Elena would be furious I've wasted four years.”
Hazel smiled.
Then became serious.
“You don't owe me anything because I fell asleep on you.”
“I know.”
“You don't have to protect me because—”
“I know.”
“And I'm not—”
“Hazel.”
She stopped.
“I know.”
His hand lifted.
Slowly.
Giving her time to move.
She didn't.
Damian brushed one loose strand of hair from her cheek.
The contact was almost nothing.
Yet both of them stopped breathing.
Hazel closed her eyes.
Damian immediately withdrew.
“Sorry.”
Her eyes opened.
Now she smiled.
“There it is.”
He understood.
For once, Damian Romano had apologized unnecessarily.
Their moment ended when Marco entered.
“Emily’s missing.”
Hazel’s smile vanished.
“What?”
“She left the safe apartment twenty minutes ago.”
“Why?”
“We found a note.”
Hazel grabbed it.
I KNOW WHAT MOM HID. COME ALONE.
Below it was an address.
Hazel recognized it.
Their childhood apartment.
She ran for the door.
Damian followed.
At the apartment, the front door stood open.
No Emily.
No guards.
On the kitchen table sat Hazel’s mother’s old jewelry box.
Hazel opened it.
Inside was Emily’s phone.
One unread message.
Hazel touched the screen.
A live video appeared.
Emily sat tied to a chair.
Behind her stood Catherine Sullivan.
Catherine smiled into the camera.
“Bring me Hazel.”
Damian stepped closer.
Catherine’s smile widened.
“And Damian?”
She raised a pistol beside Emily’s head.
“Don't bring him.”
The feed cut.
Then Hazel’s phone vibrated.
A second message arrived.
It contained a location.
And beneath it:
COME ALONE OR YOUR SISTER DIES.
Hazel looked at Damian.
Then at the unlocked back door.
May you like
Someone had already opened it from outside.
And fresh footprints led into the apartment.
