Chapter 3: The Child at Ravenwood
Alejandro wanted to drive to Ravenwood immediately.
Elena stopped him.
“That’s what Vivian expects.”
“She has our daughter.”
“And she’ll use Sofia to make you reckless.”
For three years, Elena had survived by studying Vivian’s habits. Her moods. Her weaknesses. The way she became careless when she believed she was in control.
“We make her believe she’s winning,” Elena said.
Alejandro contacted Isabel Grant, the only attorney outside his family’s influence whom he trusted completely.
He sent her photographs of the forged records and ledgers.
Isabel’s response came less than five minutes later.
“I’m bringing federal investigators. Do not contact local security. Gabriel has people inside the department.”
Alejandro recorded a video agreeing to transfer his controlling shares to Vivian.
He sent it to the burner phone along with a message saying the documents would be delivered at Ravenwood.
Vivian replied with one word.
Alone.
By nightfall, heavy rain covered the road leading to the estate.
Alejandro drove the main route while Elena and Rosa followed the old service road shown on architectural plans found inside the safe.
Federal agents waited two miles away, unable to approach until they had visual confirmation of Sofia’s location.
Ravenwood was darker than Alejandro expected.
Only one upstairs window showed light.
He entered through the front door carrying a leather briefcase.
Vivian stood near the fireplace.
Her elegant dress had been replaced by black trousers and a raincoat. A small pistol rested in her hand.
Gabriel stood beside her.
Alejandro looked around.
“Where is Sofia?”
“Sign first,” Gabriel said.
Alejandro placed the briefcase on a table.
“You told me Vivian was working for you.”
Vivian’s eyes snapped toward Gabriel.
“He said what?”
Gabriel’s jaw tightened.
Alejandro continued.
“He told us you became unstable. That keeping Elena alive was your obsession.”
Vivian turned toward Gabriel.
“You were going to blame everything on me.”
“You did keep her prisoner,” Gabriel replied.
“Because you said we needed her signature.”
“You kept her for three years.”
“Because you refused to finish what you started!”
Their alliance began breaking apart exactly as Elena had predicted.
While they argued, Elena entered through the service tunnel beneath the estate.
She moved silently through the basement and followed the faint sound of a child crying.
At the top of a narrow staircase, she found a locked bedroom.
“Sofia?” she whispered.
The crying stopped.
A tiny voice answered.
“Who are you?”
Elena pressed both hands against the door.
“My name is Elena.”
Silence.
Then the child whispered, “That’s my mommy’s name.”
Elena’s knees nearly gave way.
She picked the lock with a metal pin Rosa had given her.
The door opened.
Sofia stood in the middle of the room holding the stuffed rabbit.
For one suspended moment, mother and daughter stared at each other.
Elena slowly knelt.
“I’m your mommy.”
Sofia’s lower lip trembled.
“The bad lady said my mommy went to heaven.”
“She lied.”
Sofia took one uncertain step forward.
Elena opened her arms.
The child ran into them.
Elena buried her face in her daughter’s hair, holding her with all the strength she had left.
A floorboard creaked behind her.
Elena turned.
Gabriel stood at the end of the hall.
His gun was aimed at them.
“You always were difficult to control,” he said.
Vivian appeared behind him, breathing hard.
“Gabriel, put the gun down.”
He glanced over his shoulder.
That was all Elena needed.
She pushed Sofia into the bedroom and slammed the door.
Vivian grabbed Gabriel’s arm.
The gun fired into the ceiling.
Alejandro raced up the stairs and tackled his brother. They crashed into the railing as Vivian stumbled backward.
Federal agents surrounded the estate, their commands echoing outside.
Gabriel struck Alejandro and tore free.
Then he grabbed Elena around the throat and pressed the gun beneath her jaw.
“Everyone stays back!”
Alejandro froze.
Sofia cried behind the locked bedroom door.
Gabriel dragged Elena toward the balcony overlooking the lake.
Rain blew through the open doors.
He looked at Alejandro with wild, desperate eyes.
“You took everything from me once.”
May you like
His grip tightened around Elena.
“Now you’re going to watch me take everything from you.”
