Chapter 13 - Sarah Fernandez
Sarah read the letter alone.
For twelve years, “Sparrow” had been her shield.
Her weapon.
Her prison.
She had believed that identity was the only thing keeping her alive.
Now it was over.
Matteo found her sitting on the steps outside the archive.
“You okay?”
“I don't know.”
“That makes two of us.”
Sarah laughed softly.
Alex approached.
He carried two cups of coffee.
He handed one to her.
She looked at it.
“You remembered.”
“You drink it without sugar.”
Sarah smiled.
“You pay attention.”
“I had to.”
They sat together.
For the first time, Sarah didn't feel like she was waiting for another mission.
The following weeks were difficult.
The investigation continued.
Sarah testified.
Matteo testified.
Victor cooperated.
Evelyn faced charges for the network she had helped build.
Alex dismantled several parts of his own organization that had depended on secrecy.
He didn't pretend to become a different man overnight.
He simply stopped protecting people who used fear as currency.
Sarah began working with investigators.
Not as Sparrow.
As Sarah Fernandez.
She helped locate victims whose families had been manipulated by Meridian.
One afternoon, an elderly woman thanked her.
“You gave me my son back.”
Sarah looked away.
She hadn't realized until that moment that saving people could feel different when nobody ordered you to do it.
Alex later offered her a position.
Not as security.
Not as an operative.
As director of a new private protection foundation.
Sarah hesitated.
“I don't work for you.”
“I know.”
“Then why offer?”
“Because you know what happens when powerful people forget ordinary people.”
She looked at him.
“And because?”
Alex smiled.
“Because you scare everyone else.”
Sarah laughed.
It was the first time he had heard her laugh without restraint.
Then Matteo walked in.
“I have news.”
Sarah looked up.
“What?”
He placed a letter on the table.
It was from their mother's lawyer.
There was one remaining family asset.
A small house outside the city.
Their mother had purchased it secretly.
And she had left it to both children.
For the first time in twelve years, Sarah had a place that belonged to her.
Not Sparrow.
May you like
Sarah.
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