My entire body went cold.
“What did he tell you?”
“That Damian did not die by accident.”
Elena looked toward the door, as if even now she expected someone to be listening.
“He said Damian had found evidence against people inside your organization. People who were using your company accounts to move money, bribe officials, and arrange murders.”
I felt the room narrow.
“Who?”
“I don’t know all of them.”
“You do.”
“I know enough.”
The monitor quickened again.
I lowered my voice.
“Elena, you don’t have to talk.”
“Yes, I do.”
She looked at me.
“Because one of the names in the evidence was yours.”
The words landed harder than any bullet ever had.
“I didn’t—”
“I know,” she said.
I stopped.
She swallowed.
“I know you didn’t approve it. I know Damian was trying to protect you from it. But the records were hidden through businesses you own. Your name could destroy you, even if you didn’t know.”
My mind raced.
Damian had handled our offshore logistics and certain financial structures. I trusted him. I had trusted him more than anyone.
If he found corruption using my companies…
If he died because of it…
Then Elena had been hiding evidence connected to my brother’s death.
“Where are the files?” I asked.
Her expression hardened instantly.
“There.”
I closed my eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
“You always ask questions before you remember I’m a person.”
The truth cut cleanly.
I looked at her.
“What do you need from me?”
Elena stared at me.
For a long moment, neither of us spoke.
Then she whispered, “Nothing.”
I nodded slowly.
“That is fair.”
“But my son needs safety.”
“Yes.”
“And if you want to be in his life, you do not get to decide that because of your name.”
“Yes.”
“You do not threaten people. You do not bring guards into rooms. You do not use lawyers to intimidate me.”
“Yes.”
Her eyes filled.
“Why are you agreeing?”
“Because I should have agreed years ago.”
I took one step back toward the door.
Then Elena spoke again.
“Roman.”
I turned.
“There is a key in my apartment,” she said. “Inside a blue vase above the kitchen cabinets.”
“What does it open?”
“A storage unit.”
“Where?”
“Not here. Not now.”
Her eyes drifted shut.
The nurse touched my arm.
“Time is up.”
I looked at Elena one last time.
“I will keep you safe,” I said.
Her eyes remained closed.
“You don’t get to promise that,” she whispered. “You have to prove it.”
