Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT NORA VANISHED
Nora disappeared on a Wednesday afternoon.
She had been leaving Evelyn's office.
A witness saw her enter a dark sedan.
The vehicle drove away before anyone realized something was wrong.
When Nora failed to answer her phone, Evelyn contacted authorities.
Roman arrived within minutes.
His expression was controlled.
But Marco recognized the fear beneath it.
“Find the car,” Roman said.
Marco nodded.
“Police are reviewing the footage.”
Roman stared at the screen.
Nora entered the vehicle voluntarily.
But her body language looked tense.
Meanwhile, Nora sat in the back of the sedan.
Across from her was Daniel Mercer.
He smiled.
“Eleanor.”
She stared.
“Daniel.”
He looked pleased.
“It's been a long time.”
Nora swallowed.
“Where's Sophie?”
Mercer laughed softly.
“Still asking the wrong questions.”
The car stopped outside an abandoned office building.
Nora was taken inside.
She wasn't physically restrained.
But the exits were guarded.
Mercer led her into a conference room.
Salvatore Castiglione stood near the window.
He turned.
“Miss Grace.”
Nora froze.
Salvatore smiled.
“You caused us a great deal of trouble.”
She stared.
“Where's Sophie?”
His expression changed.
“Persistent.”
Nora took a breath.
“You tried to kill me.”
Salvatore looked at Mercer.
“She's always been dramatic.”
Nora stepped forward.
“You destroyed my life.”
Salvatore's smile disappeared.
“You found records you weren't supposed to find.”
He approached.
“And now you've involved Roman.”
Nora stared.
“He deserves to know.”
Salvatore laughed.
“Roman is sentimental.”
Nora looked at him.
“He's not stupid.”
Salvatore's expression hardened.
“Then perhaps he'll learn to stay out of family business.”
Hours later, investigators located the building through vehicle records and witness information.
Police entered.
Nora was rescued.
Mercer was detained.
Salvatore escaped before officers reached the upper floor.
Roman arrived at the hospital where Nora was being evaluated.
He stopped in the doorway.
She looked up.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Nora began crying.
Roman approached slowly.
“May I hug you?”
She nodded.
He wrapped his arms around her.
She whispered:
“I thought I was going to disappear again.”
May you like
Roman closed his eyes.
“Not this time.”
