Chapter 4 — The Man Who Arrived Too Late
Ethan drove to the hospital like a man possessed.
Every red light felt like punishment.
Every mile replayed the footage.
His father's confession.
The forged documents.
The corrupt board members.
The desperate plan that Eleanor had carried out to save thousands of workers.
She had never betrayed his family.
She had protected it.
When he reached the maternity floor, he ran.
Room 817.
Empty.
The nurse looked up.
"Are you Mr. Hartwell?"
"Where's my fiancée?"
The nurse hesitated.
"She checked out this morning."
"No..."
"She left a letter."
His hands shook as he unfolded it.
Ethan,
I don't hate you.
I understand why you believed the worst.
But when I reached for you, I wasn't asking you to forgive me.
I was asking you to save our child.
That was the moment I realized love without trust cannot survive.
By the time you discover the truth, I'll already be gone.
Raise no anger.
Carry no revenge.
Just live a life your father would be proud of.
Goodbye.
— Eleanor
Ethan dropped to his knees.
For the first time since his father's death...
He cried.
Not for the past.
For the future he had destroyed with one decision.
Months passed.
He searched every city.
Every private investigator failed.
May you like
No trace.
It was as though Eleanor and their daughter had vanished from the world.
