Chapter 8 - The Man Who Vanished When I Needed Him
Daniel Pierce had disappeared the day Abigail told him she was pregnant.
Now she was staring at evidence suggesting he might have been connected to the people who destroyed her mother's life.
She sat across from Matteo in his private office.
"His name is Daniel Pierce. We dated for almost two years."
Matteo listened without interrupting.
"He worked in corporate security. He said he traveled a lot."
"Did he ever tell you who employed him?"
"No. He said his contracts were confidential."
Matteo exchanged a glance with Gabriel.
Gabriel pulled out his tablet.
"Daniel Pierce. Thirty-two. Former private security contractor."
He scrolled.
Then stopped.
"Interesting."
Matteo looked at him.
"What?"
"His employment records connect him to Sinclair Global."
Abigail's stomach dropped.
"No."
Gabriel continued.
"He was assigned to a private security team operating under Margaret Sinclair's trust."
Abigail covered her face.
"You're telling me the man I loved was working for the woman who threatened my mother?"
Matteo's expression was grim.
"We don't know what he knew or when he knew it."
Abigail shook her head.
"He told me he loved me."
Matteo stayed silent.
She looked toward the city beyond the windows.
"Sometimes I wonder if any part of my life was real."
Matteo leaned forward.
"Your mother loved you. Isabella remembers what you did for her. Your baby is real. Those things haven't changed."
Abigail's eyes filled.
For the first time, she believed him.
Gabriel's phone rang.
He stepped away.
When he returned, his expression had changed.
"We found Daniel."
Abigail stood too quickly.
A sharp pain shot through her back.
Matteo immediately offered his arm.
She steadied herself.
"Where?"
"He's being held in protective custody after approaching federal investigators."
Abigail stared.
"What?"
Gabriel looked at Matteo.
"He says he has evidence against Margaret Sinclair."
Matteo frowned.
"Then why did he disappear?"
Gabriel hesitated.
"According to his statement, Margaret ordered him to get close to Abigail."
Abigail felt sick.
"Why?"
"To find the letters Evelyn Foster had hidden."
Her eyes filled with tears.
So even Daniel had been part of the lie.
Then Gabriel continued.
"But he claims something changed."
"What changed?" Abigail whispered.
"He fell in love with you."
She shook her head.
"Then why did he leave?"
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Gabriel's answer was barely audible.
"Because Margaret threatened to kill your baby if he stayed."
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