Chapter 9 - THE EMPTY ROOM The hospital room looked untouched.
That was the terrifying part.
Ethan's blanket was folded.
His stuffed dog rested on the floor.
The medical equipment was still running.
One security officer lay unconscious.
Isabella was unconscious beside the bed.
There had been no gunshot.
No explosion.
Only a forged emergency transfer.
Victor's face became expressionless.
“Where would she take him?”
“The airport?” Marco asked.
Victor shook his head.
“No.”
Lily looked at him.
“Think.”
Then she remembered something.
“The church.”
Old Saint Agnes.
The church where Victor and Isabella had married.
Police surrounded the building.
Victor entered alone.
Serena stood near the altar.
Ethan was in her arms.
“Tell me you would have chosen me,” she whispered.
Victor stared at his son.
“I came for my child.”
“You loved Isabella because she was allowed to exist.”
“No.”
“I wanted what she had.”
“You wanted what you believed she deserved.”
Serena's eyes filled with tears.
“And what did I deserve?”
Victor looked at Ethan.
“A life that didn't involve hurting children.”
Serena stepped backward.
Lily noticed the broken floorboard.
One wrong movement could kill Ethan.
She stepped forward.
“Ethan is cold.”
“Stay back!”
“He's scared.”
Serena's grip tightened.
Lily spoke softly.
“Hey, buddy.”
Ethan's eyes found hers.
“Lil.”
Serena froze.
Lily continued.
“You can hate me.”
Serena stared.
“But let him go.”
“You think you're better than me?”
“No.”
Lily shook her head.
“I think he deserves to be safe.”
Ethan reached toward her.
Serena's face collapsed.
For one second, she looked less like a monster and more like a woman realizing she had destroyed everything she tried to possess.
Then she shoved Ethan.
Lily caught him.
Victor seized Serena.
Police rushed forward.
Handcuffs closed around her wrists.
Ethan cried.
Victor knelt beside him.
“Are you okay?”
Ethan reached for Lily.
Victor watched.
He didn't resent her.
May you like
He understood.
This woman had protected his son when he had arrived too late.
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