Chapter 6 - The ReturnThe flight from Miami to Mexico City was delayed by two hours, which did nothing to soothe Linda’s rapidly deteriorating temper. By the time their taxi pulled up the long, winding driveway of the stone villa in Lomas de Chapultepec, the sun was high in the afternoon sky.
From the high-definition security camera mounted above the garage, I watched the scene unfold on my phone screen. I was sitting in the rocking chair at Hannah’s house, Liam cradled in my arm, his warm weight a constant reminder of why I was doing this.
The taxi came to a stop. The door swung open, and Linda stepped out first. She was wearing her brand-new designer sunglasses, a linen beach dress, and a wide-brimmed hat. Her face was flushed, tanned, and smug. She began dragging her expensive leather suitcases out of the trunk, laughing as she spoke to Ashley, who was busy checking her phone.
Ethan stepped out last. He looked exhausted, his shirt wrinkled, his hands full of shopping bags from Bal Harbour. He walked up the stone steps to the massive glass-and-stone entrance, reaching into his pocket for his house keys.
I zoomed in on his face.
He slid the key into the lock. He turned it.
It didn't move.
He frowned, pulling the key out and examining it. He tried again, forcing it into the cylinder. Still, nothing.
"Ethan, what is taking so long?" Linda snapped, dragging her suitcase up the steps behind him. "It’s boiling out here. Open the door."
"The key... it’s not turning," Ethan muttered, his voice tense. "The lock feels different."
"Oh, move over, let me do it," Ashley laughed, shoving past him. "You probably have the mailbox key."
Linda snatched the keys from Ethan's hand, jamming her own set into the lock with aggressive confidence. When the key refused to budge, her face contorted in anger. "What is wrong with this lock? Did that lazy girl jam the door on purpose?"
And then, she noticed it.
Directly above the old brass lock was a sleek, black digital keypad, its small blue light blinking steadily. It was an advanced security lock that hadn't been there a week ago.
And right next to it, pasted in the center of the heavy glass door, was a bright red legal notice.
Ethan stepped back, his face draining of all color. He dropped his shopping bags, the luxury boxes clattering onto the stone steps. "No... no, no, no..."
Linda ripped the red notice off the door, her hands shaking with rage. "What is this? Is this some kind of joke?"
She squinted at the bold print, her voice rising in a screech that echoed off the stone walls of the villa.
"ACCESS RESTRICTED BY LEGAL ORDER. ENTRY PROHIBITED. ANY ATTEMPT TO BREACH THIS PROPERTY WILL BE REPORTED TO THE POLICE AS CRIMINAL TRESPASSING."
Below was the name of my corporate law firm, and one final, devastating line:
"The former occupants have been notified."
"Former occupants?" Ashley repeated, her voice suddenly high and nervous. "Ethan... what does that mean? Is she throwing us out?"
"She can't do this!" Linda screamed, pounding her fists against the heavy glass door. "This is my son's house! He paid for everything! Vanessa is insane! She’s completely lost her mind!"
But Ethan wasn't screaming. He was staring at the security camera mounted above the door, its small red recording light blinking. He knew I was watching. For the first time in his life, the reality of what he had done seemed to crash down on him. He reached into his pocket, pulled out his phone, and dialed my number.
I watched the call slide onto my screen. I didn't answer.
He called again. And again. On the fifth attempt, Linda’s name popped up on Hannah’s phone.
"Put it on speaker, Hannah," I said, my voice incredibly calm.
Hannah tapped the screen. Instantly, Linda’s frantic, screeching voice filled the quiet nursery.
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"Vanessa! What on earth did you do? Open this door right now! We are standing outside like absolute fools in the heat! Our bags are on the dirt! Have you lost your mind?"
I adjusted my baby, my heart rate remaining perfectly steady. "That’s strange, Linda," I said softly. "Seven days ago, I was locked inside, begging for help while my water broke. No one opened the door for me then."
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