The Billionaire’s Secret Guardian

Chapter Three: A Dangerous Truth

Elena Knight stayed hidden in the shadows across from the hospital, her hoodie pulled low over her face as she watched the entrance. A cold breeze swept through the streets, rustling the leaves of a nearby tree, but she barely noticed.

Damian Steele was awake.

And if she knew him at all, he wouldn’t stop until he found the truth.

Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. Two years ago, she had done everything in her power to erase herself from his life. She had destroyed records, wiped her presence from every place he had ever known her to be, and made sure there were no breadcrumbs leading back to her.

Yet, here she was, standing outside the hospital where he lay.

What the hell am I doing?

A part of her wanted to turn around and disappear again. Leave him to his life, let him figure things out on his own. But the other part—the part she had fought to suppress—needed to see him. Needed to make sure he was truly okay.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She ignored it.

She already knew what the message would say.

Unknown Number: Leave while you still can. He will find you.

Of course, he would. Damian had always been relentless. The moment he got fixated on something, he wouldn’t stop until he had answers. And now, that fixation was on her.

She exhaled sharply and turned on her heel, disappearing into the night.

Inside the Hospital

Damian sat in his hospital bed, watching the grainy security footage on a tablet. The nurse had finally convinced the security team to grant him access.

The footage was short—only a few seconds long.

A woman in a black hoodie slipping out of the hospital’s side exit, her face turned away from the camera. The footage didn’t give him much, but something about the way she moved—the urgency in her stride—felt familiar.

His gut told him she was the one.

She had been here the night of his accident.

She had watched over him.

And now, she was gone.

Damian clenched his jaw. He had spent his life building Steele Enterprises from the ground up, turning it into an empire. He had survived ruthless competitors, hostile takeovers, and betrayal from people he trusted.

This? This was just another puzzle waiting to be solved.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.

Charles Vaughn, his business partner, stepped in. Dressed in his usual tailored suit, Charles looked as polished as ever, but there was something in his eyes—concern, hesitation.

"You look like hell," Charles said, closing the door behind him.

Damian smirked. "You should see the other guy."

Charles sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "You have no idea how much of a mess everything’s been since your accident. Investors were panicking, board members whispering about replacing you—"

Damian’s expression darkened. "And you?"

Charles met his gaze without flinching. "I held them off. But it wasn’t easy."

Damian nodded. He had known Charles for years, trusted him more than most. If anyone could keep things in check while he was out, it was him.

"What do you remember?" Charles asked, taking a seat beside the bed.

Damian hesitated. "Bits and pieces. The accident. The crash. A voice."

Charles frowned. "A voice?"

"A woman," Damian said, watching Charles carefully. "She was there when I was unconscious. I heard her."

Something flickered across Charles’s face—something he tried to hide.

"You think someone was there?" Charles asked casually.

"I know someone was there," Damian said firmly. "And I intend to find out who."

For a split second, Charles’s jaw tightened. It was barely noticeable, but Damian caught it.

"You know something," Damian said.

Charles exhaled, leaning back. "Look, Damian, maybe you should focus on recovering first. Whoever she was—if she even exists—she clearly didn’t want to be found."

"That doesn’t mean I’m going to stop looking," Damian said.

Charles sighed. "I figured you’d say that."

Damian studied his friend. Charles was hiding something. He knew more than he was letting on. But why?

He would find out.

One way or another.

Elsewhere in the City…

Elena’s apartment was small, hidden in one of the quieter parts of the city. It was nothing like the life she used to have—nothing like the high-rise penthouses and luxury that had once surrounded her.

She preferred it this way.

No attention. No questions. No risks.

But now, with Damian awake, everything she had built was crumbling.

She stood by the window, staring at the skyline.

She knew how this would go. Damian would start digging, and eventually, he would find her. The only reason he hadn’t already was because she had covered her tracks well. But if he kept pushing, if he started asking the right questions, it wouldn’t be long before he connected the dots.

Her phone buzzed again.

Another message.

Unknown Number: He’s looking for you.

Elena sighed. Of course, he is.

But what was she supposed to do?

Confront him? Tell him everything?

That wasn’t an option.

Because if Damian found out the real reason she had disappeared…

He would never forgive her.

And worse—he would never stop until he uncovered the truth.

A truth that could get them both killed.

She closed her eyes. She had to make a choice.

Stay hidden…

Or stop running.

Either way, the past was coming for her.

And this time, there was no escape.