Chapter 8 - THE MAN HARRISON NEVER EXPECTED
Harrison returned to New York under an assumed identity.
He believed he had escaped Roman.
He believed Chloe was trapped.
He believed Victor would protect him.
He was wrong.
Victor wanted Harrison dead.
Because Harrison knew too much.
Harrison discovered the truth too late.
He had been nothing more than a disposable piece.
When Roman's men found him, he was hiding in a hotel room.
Roman entered alone.
Harrison looked terrified.
“Where is Chloe?”
Roman said nothing.
“Where is my wife?”
Roman walked closer.
“She stopped being your wife the moment you traded her.”
Harrison swallowed.
“I made a mistake.”
“You made several.”
“I was desperate.”
“You sold her.”
“I didn't know what else to do.”
Roman's eyes hardened.
“You knew exactly what you were doing.”
Harrison lowered his head.
Then he said:
“Victor threatened me.”
Roman stopped.
“Why?”
“He knew about the trust.”
Roman's expression changed.
“He forced me to marry Chloe?”
“No.”
Harrison looked miserable.
“I loved her.”
“Did you?”
“Yes.”
“Then why leave her?”
“Because Victor said he would kill her.”
Roman stared.
Harrison continued.
“I thought if I left, she'd be safe.”
“You put her on my doorstep.”
“I didn't know you'd protect her.”
Roman's voice became cold.
“You didn't care.”
Harrison shook his head.
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain.”
Harrison opened a drawer.
Inside was a file.
Roman took it.
The file contained photographs of Victor meeting politicians, businessmen, judges, and law enforcement officials.
Harrison had been collecting evidence.
“Why didn't you go to the authorities?”
“Because Victor owns people.”
Roman studied the photographs.
“Where is Elena?”
Harrison hesitated.
“Alive.”
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
Roman grabbed his collar.
“Don't lie.”
“I swear.”
Harrison handed him a memory card.
“This contains everything.”
Roman took it.
“What do you want?”
“Chloe.”
Roman stared at him.
Harrison's voice broke.
“I don't deserve her. I know that. But I want her alive.”
Roman stepped back.
“Then help me.”
Harrison nodded.
Meanwhile, Chloe was at the Costa estate with Maria.
She sat beside the fireplace, one hand over her stomach.
The baby moved.
She smiled despite everything.
Then a car arrived.
Elena stepped out.
Chloe stood.
The woman from the photographs was alive.
Older.
Tired.
But strong.
Roman entered behind her.
For a moment, brother and sister simply stared at each other.
Then Roman embraced her.
Chloe turned away, giving them privacy.
Elena cried.
Roman held her tightly.
“I thought you were dead.”
“I tried to come home.”
“Why didn't you?”
“Victor had your son.”
Roman froze.
“Where is he?”
Elena looked at him.
“He's safe.”
“Where?”
“Not yet.”
Roman's eyes filled with anger.
“Please.”
Elena shook her head.
“We need to end Victor first.”
Roman understood.
His sister wasn't asking for revenge.
She was asking for freedom.
That night, Chloe and Roman stood together on the balcony.
“I want to ask you something,” he said.
She looked at him.
“What?”
“If Harrison disappears from your life, what happens next?”
Chloe smiled faintly.
“I rebuild.”
“With me?”
She looked at him.
“I don't know.”
Roman nodded.
“I'll wait.”
Chloe's expression softened.
Then she reached for his hand.
“Don't wait too long.”
For the first time, Roman smiled.
But neither of them saw the figure watching from a distant building.
Victor.
He held a photograph.
A photograph of Chloe.
May you like
And beneath it was one sentence.
The baby is the final piece.
