Chapter 6: Jonathan Hayes Finally Opens His Eyes
Hours later...
The surgery was over.
The chief surgeon removed his gloves and smiled.
"We stabilized him."
A wave of relief swept through the hallway.
Eleanor burst into tears.
Her granddaughter squeezed her hand.
"We finally have him back."
But the investigator wasn't smiling.
"If the Phoenix Circle attacked once..."
"They'll attack again."
Federal agents surrounded the ICU.
Snipers guarded the rooftop.
Every entrance was locked down.
Still...
Someone inside the hospital was helping the enemy.
No one knew who.
Just before sunrise...
Jonathan Hayes' heart monitor suddenly beeped faster.
His fingers twitched.
The nurse leaned forward.
"I think he's waking up."
Everyone rushed into the room.
Jonathan slowly opened his eyes.
For a long moment...
He stared at the ceiling as if trying to remember where he was.
Then he turned toward Eleanor.
A single tear rolled down his face.
"I... found her."
Eleanor leaned closer.
"Found who?"
He struggled to breathe.
"Our daughter..."
The room fell silent.
The investigator frowned.
"Your daughter died twenty-three years ago."
Jonathan shook his head.
"No..."
"They wanted everyone to believe that."
He grabbed the investigator's wrist with surprising strength.
"Listen carefully."
"The woman leading the Phoenix Circle..."
"...is my daughter."
Silence.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
Then Jonathan whispered the sentence that shattered every assumption.
"She doesn't know I'm her father."
At that exact moment...
A nurse standing quietly in the corner lowered her head.
Hidden inside her uniform pocket...
A tiny transmitter blinked red.
She whispered so softly that no one else could hear.
"Target is awake."
Within seconds...
Miles away, someone smiled.
"Excellent."
May you like
"Phase Two begins now."
To be continued...
