Chapter 14 - Christmas MorningThe note was a lie.
At least, that's what I told myself.
My daughters were still in the hospital.
Security surrounded the pediatric floor.
But fear doesn't care about facts.
It grows in every empty hallway.
Every closed door.
Every unanswered phone.
My mother was missing.
Victor was in custody.
Someone inside law enforcement was helping someone.
And the evidence pointed directly toward Daniel's past.
At 5:45 a.m., I sat beside Ava's bed.
She was asleep.
Lily slept beside her.
Christmas morning.
Outside, snow covered the hospital parking lot.
Ava stirred.
"Mommy?"
"I'm here."
"Is Daddy okay?"
"Yes."
She smiled.
"Then it's Christmas."
I kissed her forehead.
"Yes."
She closed her eyes.
Then whispered:
"Grandma called."
My heart stopped.
"When?"
"While I was asleep."
"What did she say?"
Ava frowned.
"She said she was sorry."
I sat up.
"Did she say where she was?"
"Yes."
My pulse accelerated.
"Where?"
Ava pointed toward the window.
"She said she was at the house."
"Which house?"
Ava whispered:
"Our house."
I stood.
My phone rang.
My mother.
I answered.
Her voice was broken.
"Elena."
"Where are you?"
"Don't let Daniel take you home."
I looked toward the hallway.
"Why?"
"Because he has the drive."
"What?"
"Victor isn't the one who wants it."
I felt frozen.
"Who does?"
She inhaled.
"The person who funded your adoption."
My stomach dropped.
"Who?"
"Your husband."
The call ended.
I stared at Daniel.
He was standing at the end of the hallway.
I walked toward him.
"Do you have the drive?"
He looked at me.
Silence.
"Daniel?"
He reached into his coat.
Then he pulled out the microSD card.
The one I'd thought was in police evidence.
My heart broke.
"You took it."
"I had to."
"Why?"
"Because if they get it, more children disappear."
"Who are you protecting?"
He stepped closer.
"You."
"No."
"And our daughters."
"You've been lying to me."
"Yes."
"How long?"
"Since before we met."
I felt tears burning my eyes.
Then he said the one thing I never expected.
"Your father was right."
I stared.
"About what?"
Daniel's expression hardened.
"Victor isn't the mastermind."
A noise came from behind us.
A gunshot.
Daniel shoved me to the floor.
Glass exploded.
People screamed.
Security rushed toward the window.
I looked up.
My mother's face was visible in the reflection.
She was standing outside.
Across the parking lot.
Holding no weapon.
Just staring at me.
Then she mouthed two words.
Run home.
And behind her, a man stepped out of the snow.
Victor.
May you like
Impossible.
Because Victor was supposed to be in custody.
