Chapter 7: The Lie Hidden in the Paper
The rain outside became louder.
Or maybe it was just the sound of my heartbeat.
I stared at the document in my hands.
My father’s name was printed across the bottom.
Adrian Kane.
The signature looked real.
Too real.
My fingers tightened around the paper.
“Dad?””
My father didn’t answer.
That scared me more than anything Damian could say.
Because my father always answered me.
Always.
Damian stepped closer, his expression filled with satisfaction.
“See?””
He looked at my father.
“Even now, you’re silent.””
“Shut up,” my father said.
The calmness in his voice was terrifying.
Damian smiled.
“There he is.””
My father moved between us.
“You don’t get to speak to her.””
“Why?””
Damian laughed.
“Because she might finally see who you really are?””
My father’s jaw tightened.
I looked down at the document again.
“What is this?””
Neither man answered.
“Dad.””
He looked at me.
“I can explain.””
“Then explain.””
The warehouse went quiet.
My father took a breath.
“That document is a medical authorization form.””
“I know.””
“Then you know someone used my name.””
Damian immediately laughed.
“Of course he would say that.””
I looked at him.
“You’re saying my father signed it?””
“Yes.””
My father’s voice became sharp.
“Damian.””
“No, Adrian. She deserves the truth.””
He pointed at the paper.
“Your father had the power to approve your treatment. He controlled every decision.””
I looked at my father.
“Did you?””
His face changed.
“Not like that.””
“Then how?””
My father looked away.
That tiny movement hurt.
Because it felt like an answer.
“I signed a transfer request.””
My breath stopped.
“A transfer request?””
“Yes.””
“For what?””
My father swallowed.
“To move you to another hospital.””
I stared.
“Why?””
“Because I discovered something was wrong.””
Damian interrupted.
“Convenient.””
My father ignored him.
“The hospital you were in had connections to people I didn’t trust.””
“Then why is your signature on the surgery order?””
“Because I was trying to stop what they were doing.””
I looked at the paper.
“Then why didn’t you tell me?””
My father’s expression broke.
“Because the truth was worse than the lie.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
The word came out quietly.
“No, Dad.””
I looked at him.
“You don’t get to decide what truths I can handle anymore.””
His eyes filled with pain.
But I continued.
“I spent three years thinking I was unlucky.””
My voice trembled.
“I thought losing my leg was just something terrible that happened.””
I held up the document.
“But now I find out everyone knew something.””
My father stepped closer.
“I didn’t know who was responsible.””
“But you knew it wasn’t an accident.””
Silence.
That was the answer.
I turned away.
Damian watched everything.
And I hated that he looked happy.
“You see?”” he said softly.
“Your father always says he protects people.””
He looked at me.
“But sometimes protection is just another word for control.””
My father turned toward him.
“You’re finished.””
Damian smiled.
“Am I?””
He reached into his pocket.
Then pulled out a small envelope.
My father’s face changed.
“What is that?””
“Something you never found.””
Damian threw it toward him.
My father caught it.
He opened it.
I watched his expression disappear.
“What?””
He didn’t answer.
“Dad?””
He looked at the paper inside.
Then at me.
The fear returned.
“What is it?””
Damian answered.
“The original report from the accident.””
My father slowly lifted his eyes.
“And it proves one thing.””
“What?””
Damian smiled.
“You weren’t protecting your daughter from me.””
May you like
He pointed at my father.
“You were protecting her from the truth about yourself.””
