Chapter 10 - The Night She Was Born
Norah confronted Dominic before they left the hotel.
“What happened the night I was born?”
Dominic said nothing.
“Answer me.”
“I was seventeen.”
“That doesn't answer the question.”
“I was at the hospital.”
“Why?”
“My uncle sent me there.”
“Why?”
“To protect your mother.”
Norah stared.
“You knew my mother before I was born.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because she saved my life.”
Norah couldn't speak.
Dominic continued.
“There was a shooting at the hospital.”
“Who was shooting?”
“My father's men.”
“Why?”
“They were looking for a newborn child.”
Norah's face went pale.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Dominic looked away.
“Because you were evidence.”
“Evidence of what?”
“Your biological father had discovered something.”
“What?”
“That the Mercer family had been laundering money through a network of charities.”
Norah swallowed.
“My parents knew?”
“Yes.”
“Then why was I spared?”
“Your mother made a deal.”
“With whom?”
“My uncle.”
“What deal?”
“He would hide you.”
Norah stared at him.
“And my parents?”
“Your father disappeared. Your mother was taken.”
“Taken by whom?”
Dominic hesitated.
“Valerie's father.”
Norah felt tears spill.
“So my entire life was a lie.”
“Not everything.”
“What wasn't?”
“Your mother loved you.”
Norah looked at him.
“And you?”
Dominic froze.
She hadn't meant to ask.
But now the question hung between them.
His voice was quiet.
“I don't know what I feel.”
Norah nodded.
“That makes two of us.”
A phone rang.
Dominic answered.
His expression changed.
“What?”
A pause.
“Where?”
He hung up.
“Your father escaped.”
“Where is he?”
“Coming here.”
Norah looked toward the entrance.
A car stopped outside.
Her father stumbled out.
He was covered in blood.
Norah ran toward him.
“Dad!”
He grabbed her hand.
“Listen to me.”
“What happened?”
“They're coming.”
“Who?”
He looked at Dominic.
“The person who ordered everything.”
Dominic stepped closer.
“Who?”
Norah's father whispered:
“Your father.”
Dominic's face became completely expressionless.
Then the lights in the Bellmont Hotel came back on.
And every television in the lobby suddenly switched to a live broadcast.
Dominic's father appeared on screen.
Alive.
May you like
Smiling.
And standing beside Valerie.
