CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 29
THE OLD MATERNITY WING
The old maternity wing had been abandoned for years.
The hospital had moved its services to a newer building.
The original corridor remained dark.
Dust covered the windows.
The nursery glass was cracked.
Elena stood beside Nathaniel.
Every step brought back fragments.
The smell of disinfectant.
The sound of alarms.
Caroline holding a newborn.
A woman in green.
And Lily.
The police surrounded the building.
Nathaniel carried a briefcase containing copies of the inheritance documents.
He refused to bring the originals.
At 11:42 p.m., the lights flickered.
A voice echoed through the corridor.
"Come alone."
Nathaniel stepped forward.
"No."
A pause.
"Then you will never see Lily again."
Elena grabbed his hand.
"Don't."
Nathaniel looked at her.
"I am not leaving you."
A figure appeared behind the glass.
A woman.
Older.
Thin.
Wearing a dark green coat.
Elena's breath stopped.
She recognized her.
"Victoria."
Victoria Hale smiled.
"You remember."
Nathaniel moved forward.
"Where is Lily?"
"Safe."
"Show me."
Victoria stepped aside.
Lily appeared behind her.
She was sitting on a chair.
Her hands were tied loosely with a scarf.
She looked frightened.
"Mommy!"
Elena took one step.
Victoria raised a gun.
"Stop."
Nathaniel's face hardened.
"If you hurt her—"
"I don't want to hurt her."
"Then let her go."
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
"I want what was stolen from my family."
Nathaniel looked at her.
"Your family stole from mine."
Victoria's expression twisted.
"No."
She pointed toward Elena.
"Her family stole from yours."
Elena froze.
"What?"
May you like
Victoria smiled.
"The truth is not what you think."
