Chapter 8: The Bullet Meant for Emily

Julian aimed at the child.

Michael moved without thinking.

The gun fired.

He felt the impact before he heard the sound.

Pain tore through his shoulder as he fell against the examination table.

Emily screamed.

Wallace stared at Julian.

“You said no one would be harmed.”

Julian turned on him.

“You drugged a child. Don’t pretend you have principles now.”

Outside, Laura heard the shot through the transmitter.

“Move!”

Federal agents stormed the building.

Wallace grabbed Julian’s wrist.

The two men struggled.

A second shot struck the ceiling.

Michael, bleeding heavily, tore the restraint from Emily’s wrist.

“Can you stand?”

She nodded through tears.

He lifted her with one arm.

Wallace managed to knock the gun away.

Julian punched him and ran toward a side exit.

Laura entered with agents.

“Michael!”

“Get Emily out!”

Laura took the child.

Michael collapsed against the wall.

Emily reached for him.

“No! Dad!”

“I’m okay,” Michael lied.

Agents chased Julian through the facility, but he escaped through an underground service tunnel.

Wallace surrendered.

At the hospital, Michael underwent surgery.

When he woke, Emily sat beside him holding his hand.

Thomas, pale but awake, rested in a wheelchair nearby.

Three generations faced one another in silence.

Emily broke it first.

“Are you really my dad?”

Michael looked at her.

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you come before?”

His eyes filled.

“Because I didn’t know you existed.”

She studied him carefully.

“Mom said sometimes people lose each other because grown-ups are scared.”

Michael looked at Thomas.

His father lowered his eyes.

Emily continued.

“Are you going to leave now?”

Michael squeezed her hand.

“Never.”

Thomas turned toward the window, hiding his tears.

Laura entered.

“Wallace is cooperating. He confirmed Julian ordered Sarah’s death.”

Michael’s face hardened.

“Can he prove it?”

“He recorded several conversations as insurance.”

“And Victoria?”

“Still missing.”

Laura handed him a file.

“There’s something else. Sarah’s accident report was altered.”

Michael opened it.

The body identified as Sarah had been badly burned.

Dental records had supposedly confirmed her identity.

But the records came from a Bennett-owned clinic.

Michael looked up slowly.

“You think Sarah is alive?”

Laura nodded.

“We found evidence someone matching her description was admitted to a private psychiatric facility two days after the crash.”

Thomas gripped the arms of his wheelchair.

“Where?”

Laura’s expression was grim.

“A facility controlled by Victoria Bennett.”

Michael looked at Emily.

Her mother might still be alive.

But Julian was free.

May you like

The housekeeper was supposed to be invisible. Instead, Sophia Hale becam...

The housekeeper was supposed to be invisible. Instead, Sophia Hale became the only person who could expose a massive conspiracy in...

My Husband Hit Me at Dinner—Then His Sister-in-Law Whispered, “Tell the...

"“You and Adrian can rent somewhere smaller,” he said. “A young married couple does not need two bedrooms.” Several relatives nodd...

A federal judge thought his power could cover up a murder. He didn't exp...

"A federal judge thought his power could cover up a murder. He didn't expect her to survive the 20-foot fall. ⚖️🩸The pristine whi...

And now he knew the entire Bennett empire was collapsing.

A desperate man with nothing left to lose was more dangerous than ever.