Chapter 7: The Nurse Who Was Never a Nurse
The ICU fell silent after Jonathan's shocking confession.
No one could believe it.
"The leader of the Phoenix Circle... is your daughter?" the investigator asked.
Jonathan closed his eyes.
"They stole her from us."
"They raised her to hate the name Hayes."
"They turned her into a weapon."
Eleanor shook her head.
"No..."
"Our baby died in that fire."
Jonathan slowly reached beneath his hospital gown.
Hidden around his neck was a faded silver locket.
Inside was an old photograph.
A smiling little girl.
On the back, written in tiny letters:
"Emily Hayes — Never Stop Looking."
Eleanor burst into tears.
"It... it's hers."
The investigator immediately ordered,
"Seal every entrance."
"No one comes in or out."
But he was already too late.
The young intern suddenly noticed something strange.
The nurse standing beside the IV pump had connected a bag that wasn't listed on Jonathan's chart.
"What medication is that?" the intern asked.
The nurse didn't answer.
She simply smiled.
A cold...
Emotionless smile.
The intern stepped closer.
"I asked you a question."
In one swift movement, the nurse ripped off her hospital ID badge.
It was fake.
She shoved the IV stand into the intern and sprinted toward the emergency exit.
"STOP HER!" shouted the investigator.
Federal agents raced after her.
She crashed through a fire door and onto the rooftop.
A helicopter was already waiting.
As agents closed in, she pulled off her wig.
Long black hair spilled over her shoulders.
She looked back with a smirk.
"Tell Jonathan..."
"...the Phoenix remembers everything."
The helicopter lifted into the storm.
She disappeared into the night.
Only one thing remained on the rooftop.
A sealed envelope.
The investigator opened it.
Inside was a single childhood photograph.
Jonathan.
Eleanor.
A little girl.
And one chilling message written in red ink.
"You were never looking for the right child."
The investigator stared at the photo.
Then his eyes widened.
"Oh my God..."
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"The child in this picture..."
"...isn't Emily."
