Chapter 10 - THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO BREAK
Hannah was frightened.
But she had spent years learning how to remain calm when someone else was in control.
She focused on breathing.
On listening.
On remembering details.
Dominic demanded the location of Isabella's documents.
Hannah repeated the truth.
She had never received them.
Isabella had died before their meeting.
Dominic refused to believe her.
He thought Hannah had kept copies hidden for three years.
Meanwhile, investigators traced the SUV to a property management company connected to Dominic.
The building had once housed a medical billing office.
It was now vacant.
Police surrounded the property.
Negotiators contacted Dominic.
He initially refused to respond.
Inside, Hannah heard voices outside.
Her heart pounded.
Dominic looked toward the door.
He realized the building was surrounded.
For a moment, she feared he would hurt her.
Then she said quietly:
"Dominic, Sophia is alive."
He turned.
"What?"
"She remembers you."
His face changed.
Hannah continued.
"She remembers the envelope. She remembers the accident."
Dominic stared.
"You can't make her forget."
He looked toward the window.
For the first time, he seemed to understand that the truth was no longer something he could control.
After a tense standoff, Dominic surrendered.
Police entered.
Hannah was freed.
I arrived after the ambulance.
She sat on the back step, wrapped in a blanket.
Her face was pale.
But she was alive.
I approached slowly.
"Hannah."
She looked up.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then I said:
"I'm sorry."
She shook her head.
"You didn't take me."
"No."
I swallowed.
"But I trusted the man who did."
Hannah studied me.
Then said quietly:
"Then make sure he can't hurt anyone else."
May you like
I nodded.
"I will."
