Chapter 12 - THE SON SHE SAVED
Maya stared at Elena.
“Explain.”
Elena closed her eyes.
“Maya…”
“Now.”
Luis looked as shaken as she felt.
“You’re his mother?”
“No.”
“Then why did he call you that?”
Elena sat back.
“Because after Charles locked Adrian away, I helped him escape.”
“That doesn’t make you his mother.”
“I was with him for almost two years.”
Maya understood.
Not biologically.
Emotionally.
Elena had hidden Adrian.
Fed him.
Protected him.
Built a life around keeping him alive.
“He started calling you Mom.”
Elena nodded.
Luis looked hurt.
“You left us and became his mother?”
“No.”
“You faked your death for him.”
“I faked my death because of him.”
“That’s not much better.”
Elena grabbed his hand.
“I loved you every day.”
Luis pulled away.
“From where?”
The question destroyed her.
Maya looked out the window.
So many adults had claimed protection while abandoning children with the consequences.
Charles protected his empire.
Elena protected her children by leaving them.
Eleanor protected herself by trying to murder someone.
Adrian protected justice until justice became vengeance.
Everyone had a reason.
Bodies didn’t care about reasons.
Mercer said, “We are not sending Maya alone.”
Elena nodded.
“Adrian expects police.”
“How?”
“He always expects betrayal.”
They reached the Sterling Foundation building at 4:47 a.m.
Sunrise was less than two hours away.
The gala hall occupied the top floor.
Mercer’s team entered through service stairs.
Maya and Elena walked through the main entrance.
Luis remained outside with police.
At least, that was the plan.
Inside the elevator, Elena touched Maya’s hand.
“I don’t deserve forgiveness.”
“No.”
“I know.”
“But I need you alive.”
Elena looked at her.
“That sounds like your father.”
Maya frowned.
“My father?”
Elena froze.
The elevator continued upward.
Maya turned fully toward her.
“What about my father?”
“This is not the time.”
“That sentence has ruined my entire night.”
Elena shut her eyes.
“Charles is your father.”
Maya stopped breathing.
The elevator dinged.
Doors opened.
The gala hall stretched before them.
Charles sat tied to a chair beneath a massive chandelier.
Adrian stood beside him.
Dozens of cameras faced the stage.
Maya barely saw any of it.
She stared at Charles.
Then Elena.
Then Charles again.
Charles lowered his head.
Confirmation.
Maya laughed once.
A broken sound.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
May you like
Adrian smiled.
“Welcome to the family.”
