Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN WHO LEFT
Nora left the Rossi estate.
She didn't say goodbye.
She packed one suitcase and drove to a small coastal town three hours away.
Dominic didn't stop her.
That hurt more than if he had.
For two weeks, she lived quietly.
Worked at a small clinic.
Walked along the beach.
Tried to forget.
Then Dominic appeared.
He stood outside the clinic in a black coat.
Nora froze.
“You followed me.”
“Yes.”
“You shouldn't have.”
“I know.”
“Why are you here?”
He looked exhausted.
“Because I found something.”
Nora crossed her arms.
“What?”
“Your mother's medical records.”
Her heart tightened.
Dominic handed her a folder.
Nora opened it.
The original diagnosis was different.
Her mother had been poisoned by a rare compound.
The doctor who signed the death certificate had disappeared.
Nora looked at Dominic.
“You knew.”
“I suspected.”
“That's not enough.”
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“I should have told you.”
“Yes.”
“I was afraid.”
Nora stared.
“Of what?”
“Of losing you.”
She looked away.
“You don't get to decide what truth I can handle.”
“I know.”
Silence.
Dominic continued.
“I spent my entire life believing fear was strength.”
He looked toward the ocean.
“It isn't.”
Nora's eyes softened despite herself.
“What changed?”
“You.”
He stepped closer.
“You walked into my house with cheap shoes and a medical bag.”
A faint smile touched his face.
“You told me I couldn't leave my own bedroom.”
Nora almost laughed.
“You were impossible.”
“I still am.”
“Yes.”
He looked at her.
“But I'm trying.”
Nora's heart hurt.
She wanted to forgive him.
But she wasn't ready.
Then her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
A distorted voice whispered:
“Your father is alive.”
Nora froze.
The call ended.
Dominic immediately reached for the phone.
“Trace it.”
Nora looked at him.
“He said my father is alive.”
Dominic's expression darkened.
“He was supposed to be under federal protection.”
“Then someone took him.”
Dominic's phone rang.
Leo.
“Boss, we have a problem.”
“What?”
“Marco isn't running.”
Dominic went silent.
“He's heading toward the city.”
“Why?”
Leo hesitated.
“He has someone.”
“Who?”
A pause.
Then:
“Elena.”
Dominic's face changed.
Nora looked at him.
“What?”
He ended the call.
“We're going back.”
May you like
Nora picked up her coat.
“Together.”
