Chapter 13 - THE REUNION THAT BROKE HER|
Elena could not move.
The woman standing in the doorway was older than the photograph. Her hair had lost some of its color, and her face was thinner, but there was no mistaking her.
Margaret Hartwell.
Her mother.
For five years, Elena had visited a grave, placed flowers on a stone, and whispered things she wished she had said before it was too late.
Now the woman was standing ten feet away.
"Mom?"
Margaret's eyes filled with tears.
"Elena."
The sound of her name broke something inside her.
She crossed the room, but stopped before reaching her mother.
"You're alive."
Margaret nodded.
"Yes."
"You let me bury you."
"I had no choice."
"You let me believe you were dead!"
"I was trying to protect you."
Elena shook her head.
"Don't say that. Don't you dare say that."
Margaret stepped forward.
"I wanted to come back."
"When? After I stopped looking? After I forgot your voice?"
"I never forgot you."
"Then why didn't you call?"
Margaret began to cry.
Charles Voss watched the exchange with a faint smile.
"Beautiful, isn't it? Family reunions."
Adrian raised his weapon.
"Move away from them."
Charles lifted both hands.
"Careful. There are men outside with orders to shoot anyone who makes a mistake."
Adrian's security team shifted.
Margaret looked at Charles.
"Leave them alone. You promised."
"I promised you would see your daughter. I never promised she would leave with you."
Elena turned.
"You're the one who ordered this?"
Charles smiled.
"I arranged a great many things."
"Did you kill Sophia?"
"She was a complication."
"Did you kill my mother?"
Charles looked at Margaret.
"Your mother was difficult to manage."
Elena felt rage rise through her chest.
"Why?"
"Because Sophia and Margaret discovered the black ledger. They found payments connecting the Corsetti family to a network of illegal medical trials. The people involved had money, influence, and friends in every important office."
Adrian stared at him.
"Medical trials?"
Charles nodded.
"Experimental compounds. Drugs tested on people who had no legal protection. Some died. Some survived. Your father invested in the operation. Sophia found out and decided to become a hero."
Elena remembered Isabella's medication.
"You used children."
"We used vulnerable subjects."
Adrian moved forward.
Charles's men raised their weapons.
"Don't," Charles warned. "You still need to understand your position."
Margaret stepped between them.
"Charles, the evidence is already copied."
His smile disappeared.
"What?"
"The ledger. Sophia sent copies to people outside your control."
"You're bluffing."
"No. I'm not."
Charles turned toward Elena.
"Do you know why your mother stayed away? Because she knew you were the easiest way to control her. We watched you for years. We knew about your jobs, your apartment, your little savings account."
Elena felt sick.
"You knew about the lump?"
Charles looked at her.
"We knew everything."
Adrian's expression changed.
"What lump?"
Elena ignored him.
Charles continued.
"Your mother was willing to stay hidden as long as you remained untouched. But then you found Isabella, and everything became complicated."
Margaret grabbed Elena's hand.
"Listen to me. You need to leave. Now."
"No."
"Elena—"
"I am not leaving you again."
Charles sighed.
"How sentimental."
He reached into his coat.
Adrian raised his gun.
But Charles didn't pull out a weapon.
He pulled out a photograph.
It showed Isabella in a hospital bed.
On the back was a message.
The child has already been exposed.
Elena looked at Adrian.
"Isabella?"
His phone rang.
He answered.
May you like
A nurse's voice came through, frantic and breathless.
"Mr. Corsetti, your daughter has collapsed. We need you here immediately."
