Chapter 11 - The Mother Sarah Thought She Lost
Sarah couldn't breathe.
Her mother had supposedly died twelve years earlier.
Evelyn claimed otherwise.
“She helped me find you.”
Sarah shook her head.
“No.”
“She believed you were reckless.”
“Where is she?”
Evelyn smiled.
“Safe.”
Sarah wanted to believe it.
Alex stepped closer.
“Don't.”
Sarah looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because she's manipulating you.”
Sarah knew he was right.
But knowing didn't make the photograph less painful.
She demanded proof.
Evelyn provided an address.
Sarah almost left.
Then Matteo stopped her.
“Look at the picture.”
Sarah examined it.
The clock in the background showed a time.
Then she noticed the reflection in the window.
A second person.
An older woman.
Sarah recognized her.
Not her mother.
Someone else.
The photograph had been staged.
Sarah understood the trap.
Evelyn wanted her emotionally compromised.
But there was another clue.
The photograph had been taken inside an old rehabilitation center.
That center was connected to Sarah's mother's medical records.
They went there.
The staff confirmed that Elena Fernandez had been a patient years earlier.
But she had died.
Not twelve years ago.
Six months ago.
Sarah stood silent.
Evelyn had used her mother's memory to control her.
The truth hurt.
But it also freed her.
Sarah returned to Alex.
“I don't have anyone left.”
Alex looked at her.
“Yes, you do.”
She didn't answer.
He pointed toward Matteo.
“Your brother.”
Then toward himself.
“And me.”
Sarah almost smiled.
“I saved you once.”
Alex nodded.
“And now we're returning the favor.”
They had Evelyn's recorded confession.
They had Victor.
They had the Meridian files.
But one problem remained.
Evelyn had already activated a final operation.
May you like
Hundreds of files were scheduled to be destroyed by morning.
---
