Chapter 3 – Every Lie Began to Collapse
Massachusetts General Hospital admitted Maren within minutes.
Doctors rushed her into emergency obstetrics while Damien waited outside the operating suite without speaking.
For six straight hours.
He refused food.
Refused water.
Refused every phone call.
Finally the chief physician emerged.
"Mr. Rowe..."
Damien immediately stood.
"The baby is alive."
Relief flooded his face.
"And Ms. Whitlock?"
"She suffered placental bleeding and severe stress, but we stopped it. She and the baby should recover."
Damien simply nodded.
"Thank you."
As the doctor walked away, Vincent Hale quietly approached.
The same lieutenant who had once told Maren Damien was dead.
"I owe you the truth."
Damien slowly looked at him.
Vincent lowered his head.
"The convoy attack wasn't successful."
"I survived."
"I knew."
Vincent swallowed.
"But our enemies believed Maren knew too much."
"I convinced her you were dead."
"It was the only way they'd stop hunting her."
Damien stared silently.
"You lied to protect her."
"Yes."
"You also let her believe she lost everything."
Vincent nodded.
"I'll accept whatever punishment you decide."
Several seconds passed.
Finally Damien answered.
"You'll spend the rest of your life earning her forgiveness."
At the academy, investigators were uncovering a much darker truth.
Security technicians recovered deleted surveillance files from backup servers.
They revealed Chloe and her friends had bullied employees for years.
Destroyed property.
Framed workers for theft.
Even manipulated school staff into firing innocent custodians.
Parents began receiving search warrants.
Donor families quietly hired criminal attorneys.
The Briarwell Academy Board held an emergency midnight meeting.
By sunrise...
Headmaster Ellison had resigned.
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The board suspended Chloe, Paige, and Sloane indefinitely.
But Damien wasn't finished.
