Chapter 10 - THE SISTER WHO NEVER DISAPPEARED
Emilia Torres had been missing for more than a decade.
Now investigators had found evidence she'd survived the warehouse fire.
Gabriel was devastated when I told him.
We met through Rebecca's office.
He looked pale.
"Emma?"
I nodded.
"She's alive?"
"We don't know where she is yet, but the records show she received treatment after the fire."
Gabriel covered his face.
For several minutes, he couldn't speak.
Then he whispered, "I spent years looking for her."
I swallowed.
"I know."
He looked up.
"Saraphina, I need you to understand something."
My chest tightened.
"What?"
"I didn't leave because I didn't love you."
I closed my eyes.
"I know you were frightened."
He nodded.
"But I still made choices that hurt you."
The honesty surprised me.
He continued.
"I should have found a way to contact you safely. I should have questioned what Sebastian told me."
I looked down.
"Yes."
Tears filled his eyes.
"I'm sorry."
For a moment, I remembered the young man I'd loved.
The one who laughed while cooking.
The one who held my hand when I was frightened.
The one who promised we'd raise our child together.
But six years had changed us.
I wasn't the same woman.
And he wasn't the same man.
I took a breath.
"Gabriel, whatever happens between us, Elijah deserves the truth."
He nodded.
"I know."
"And he deserves a father who shows up."
"I want to be that father."
I studied him.
"Then prove it."
He swallowed.
"I will."
The legal process concerning paternity and parental involvement would take time.
Elijah's health remained the priority.
I wasn't going to introduce sudden changes into his life simply because adults had finally uncovered old lies.
Gabriel understood.
At least, he said he did.
Meanwhile, investigators continued searching for Emilia.
They located a woman living under the name Emily Torres in a small town in Pennsylvania.
She worked at a community bookstore.
Had a quiet life.
And rarely spoke about her past.
When authorities contacted her, she agreed to provide a statement.
Gabriel met her several days later.
The reunion was private.
But afterward, he called me.
His voice broke.
"She's alive."
I began crying.
"I'm glad."
He continued.
"She told me what happened."
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
"Sebastian's people held her for weeks after she discovered the financial records."
I covered my mouth.
Gabriel continued.
"She escaped during the confusion surrounding the warehouse fire."
"Then why didn't she come home?"
"She believed they'd kill me if she did."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Another family torn apart by threats.
Another decade stolen.
Then Gabriel said something unexpected.
"Emilia has proof Sebastian planned the fire."
My heart pounded.
"What proof?"
"A recording."
I swallowed.
"What does it say?"
Gabriel hesitated.
Then whispered, "Sebastian ordered the warehouse cleared before the explosion."
My stomach tightened.
"And?"
"He specifically said Gabriel Torres must remain inside."
I stopped breathing.
Then Gabriel added the final revelation.
May you like
"Victoria was there."
"And she's the one who told Sebastian to make sure I never came out."
