CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
At the hospital, Elena refused to let go of Alejandro’s hand.
He did not ask questions until the doctor finished examining her.
When they were finally alone, she stared at the ceiling and told him everything.
Vivian had drugged her champagne at the gala.
A driver had taken her to a private clinic outside the city.
When Elena woke, Vivian told her Alejandro had ordered it because Elena was “becoming embarrassing.”
Elena had fought.
So Vivian changed tactics.
She threatened the staff.
She threatened Elena’s younger sister.
She showed Elena forged photos of Alejandro at parties, articles about him being seen with wealthy women, and fake legal papers claiming he had cut her out of the estate.
“I tried to escape twice,” Elena whispered. “The second time, Vivian told me she would make sure my sister lost custody of her little boy. I believed her.”
Alejandro’s jaw tightened.
“I should have found you.”
Elena turned her head.
“You searched the world.”
“But not my own house.”
For a long time, neither of them spoke.
Then Elena touched his wrist.
“You came back.”
His eyes burned.
“I never stopped loving you.”
She closed her eyes as if the words hurt and healed at the same time.
“I forgot what that sounded like.”
Alejandro leaned forward, pressing his forehead gently to her hand.
“Then I’ll spend the rest of my life reminding you.”
That night, Vivian was arrested.
Not dramatically.
Not with screams.
She simply stood in the grand hall while officers read the charges, her perfect makeup cracking beneath fear.
As they led her past Elena, Vivian whispered, “He’ll never look at you the same.”
May you like
Elena lifted her chin.
“No,” she said quietly. “He’ll finally see everything I survived.”
