CHAPTER 12: EMMA’S CONFESSION

They took Emma to a secure apartment above an old Vale warehouse.

She refused all doctors.

She allowed only Eli to clean the cuts around her wrists.

Adrian stood by the window, waiting for answers.

“You said Daniel was on the train.”

Emma nodded.

“How do you know?”

“Because I worked beside him for eight years.”

Adrian’s voice hardened.

“You let me believe he was dead.”

“I was seventeen when they brought me into the facility. I didn’t know who he was.”

“What did they make you do?”

“Keep the children alive.”

Eli stopped wrapping the bandage.

Emma touched his face.

“I’m sorry.”

Adrian placed the photograph on the table.

“Elena said Daniel was a stable carrier. What does that mean?”

Emma looked at the picture.

“Children like Eli can awaken damaged nerves, but it weakens them. Daniel can do more.”

“How much more?”

“He can shut nerves down.”

Adrian understood.

“My paralysis.”

Emma nodded.

“Your accident damaged you, but not enough to put you in a wheelchair forever. Daniel was ordered to touch you while you were unconscious.”

Adrian struggled to breathe.

“My own son did this?”

“He was twenty-four. He had spent his entire life inside their system. Sebastian told him you abandoned him.”

“Why keep me alive?”

“Vale Industries owned technology they needed. Victoria controlled it while you remained disabled.”

Adrian looked at Eli.

“Is Daniel Eli’s father?”

Emma’s silence answered before her words did.

“Yes.”

Eli stepped backward.

“No.”

“Eli—”

“You said you didn’t know.”

“I was trying to protect you.”

“From my father?”

“From what they made him become.”

Eli ran into the next room and locked the door.

Adrian turned on Emma.

“Why did Daniel let you escape with his son?”

“He didn’t.”

“Then how?”

Emma looked toward the locked bedroom.

“Elena helped us.”

Adrian went still.

“Elena died in the clinic fire.”

Emma shook her head.

“No, Adrian.”

Hope rose so painfully that it felt like another injury.

“Where is she?”

“I don’t know. But three months ago, I received a message in her voice.”

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Emma reached into her torn coat and removed a small memory card.

“The message said she was coming home.”