Chapter 2 - The Man Who Died Seven Years AgoThe ballroom exploded into chaos.
Security rushed toward the doors.
Guests backed away from Evelyn's wheelchair as if it had suddenly become evidence in a crime.
Evelyn couldn't breathe.
Her legs were still shaking beneath her, but she barely noticed.
All she could see was the disappearing figure.
The man had pushed through a side entrance.
A waiter screamed as a tray crashed to the floor.
Damien Cross sprinted after him.
“Lock every exit!”
Victor was shouting orders.
But Evelyn wasn't listening.
She looked at the barefoot boy.
“Who was that?”
The boy's expression had changed.
He wasn't smiling anymore.
“I don’t know.”
“You do.”
“No.”
“Then why did he say that?”
The boy glanced toward Victor.
For a second, fear flashed across his face.
Then he whispered something Evelyn almost didn't hear.
“Because your father doesn't want you to remember.”
Evelyn's blood ran cold.
“My father?”
The boy released her hand.
Damien returned seconds later, breathing hard.
“He got away.”
Victor slammed his palm against the table.
“Everyone leaves this room. Now.”
Guests hurried toward the exits.
Reporters began pulling out phones.
The headline of tomorrow's newspapers was already writing itself.
HEIRESS RISES FROM WHEELCHAIR AT CHARITY GALA.
But Evelyn wasn't looking at the cameras.
She was staring at Victor.
“Dad.”
Victor looked at her.
“You stood.”
His voice sounded strange.
Not joyful.
Not relieved.
Afraid.
Evelyn swallowed.
“Why are you scared?”
Victor's expression hardened.
“I'm not.”
“You are.”
Damien stepped between them.
“Miss Hartwell, you need medical attention.”
“No.”
Evelyn looked down at her legs.
They were still weak.
But they had moved.
She had stood.
“No more doctors.”
Victor's jaw tightened.
“That is not your decision.”
For seven years, he'd made every decision for her.
Which doctors.
Which medications.
Which therapy.
Which events she attended.
Which photographs were released.
Even what she wore when the press came.
She had always believed he was protecting her.
Now she wasn't sure.
The boy was gone.
Evelyn noticed it only after several seconds.
She looked around desperately.
“Where is he?”
Nobody answered.
The ballroom doors had been locked.
Yet the boy had somehow disappeared.
She pushed herself forward.
Her legs nearly collapsed.
Damien caught her.
“Careful.”
“Find him.”
“We will.”
“No.”
Evelyn stared into the crowd.
“Find his mother.”
Damien frowned.
“Why?”
“Because that boy knew something about me.”
At that moment, Victor's phone rang.
He checked the screen.
His face changed.
“What happened?” Evelyn asked.
Victor didn't answer.
He walked away.
Evelyn watched him.
Then she saw the message displayed for half a second.
Three words.
SHE STOOD TONIGHT.
A second message appeared.
THEY'LL COME FOR THE BOY.
Victor deleted both.
Too late.
Evelyn had seen them.
She turned toward Damien.
“Who is ‘they’?”
Damien didn't answer.
“Damien.”
Nothing.
“Who is ‘they’?”
Finally he whispered,
“The people who made sure you never walked again.”
Evelyn felt the room tilt.
May you like
Seven years ago, she'd thought her life had been destroyed by an accident.
Now she wondered whether the accident had ever been an accident at all.
Related Stories
