Chapter 4 - Elena watched the footage from the hospital.Vanessa was trembling.
Daniel looked terrified.
For the first time, Elena saw something unexpected.
Daniel was not in control.
Someone else was controlling him.
She called Ruiz.
“Whoever sent that message knows about the cameras.”
Ruiz answered immediately.
“That's what concerns me.”
“Can they access the system?”
“Possibly.”
Elena stared at the screen.
“Then we need to move.”
“Move where?”
“Back to the mansion.”
Ruiz was silent.
“That's dangerous.”
“Exactly.”
At 8:00 a.m., Daniel visited the hospital again.
He brought flowers.
White roses.
Elena stared at them.
“You hate roses.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you bring them?”
Daniel smiled.
“I thought you liked them.”
“I did.”
She touched the flowers.
“Before I learned they were your mother's favorite.”
His smile disappeared.
The door opened.
Margaret Howard walked in.
Elena slowly raised her eyes.
The woman Ruiz had said was dead.
Elegant.
Calm.
Alive.
Daniel stood.
“Aunt Margaret.”
Margaret looked at Elena.
“Mrs. Howard.”
Elena felt her heartbeat rise.
This was impossible.
“You know me?”
“Of course.”
Margaret smiled.
“I've known about you for a long time.”
Daniel quickly interrupted.
“Aunt Margaret, maybe this isn't the right time.”
“Oh, I disagree.”
Margaret walked closer.
“She deserves to know.”
Elena looked between them.
“Know what?”
Margaret sat down.
“The child you're carrying isn't Daniel's.”
Silence.
Elena stared.
Daniel's face went white.
Margaret continued.
“Daniel knows this.”
Elena turned toward her husband.
“Is that true?”
Daniel couldn't answer.
Margaret smiled.
“You should ask your husband where he was nine months before you became pregnant.”
Elena's hand moved to her stomach.
“Leave.”
Margaret stood.
“We'll speak again.”
She walked toward the door.
Then stopped.
“By the way, Elena.”
“Yes?”
“Your father is alive.”
Elena's breath stopped.
“What?”
Margaret smiled.
“He sends his regards.”
The door closed.
Daniel remained motionless.
Elena looked at him.
“What did she mean?”
He said nothing.
“Daniel.”
Still nothing.
Then his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
His face changed.
He walked into the hallway.
Elena waited five seconds.
Then quietly removed the monitoring device beneath her hospital gown.
The device transmitted the call.
A man's voice came through.
“She's asking questions.”
Daniel answered:
“She knows about the baby.”
A pause.
“Then the baby cannot be born.”
Elena's eyes widened.
Daniel whispered:
“What do you want me to do?”
The voice answered:
“Exactly what you were told.”
Elena ended the connection.
Her hands shook.
They weren't trying to steal her inheritance.
They weren't even trying to destroy her marriage.
They wanted the baby dead.
Because the baby knew something.
Or more accurately...
The baby represented something they desperately needed.
Elena slowly stood.
She looked at the security camera in the corner.
Then smiled.
“Fine.”
May you like
She whispered.
“Let's finish this.”
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