Chapter 4 - THE WOMAN WHO WATCHED MY SON
Victoria Blackwood had stood outside my son's hospital room and asked whether he remembered his father.
Now I knew she was connected to the company receiving money intended for his care.
I felt sick.
Kieran noticed.
"What is it?"
"I've seen her."
His expression tightened.
"Where?"
"At the hospital."
I explained the encounter.
The pearl necklace.
The questions.
The terrible sentence she'd whispered.
Kieran went completely still.
Then he reached for his phone.
"I'm calling Sebastian."
"No."
He looked up.
I swallowed.
"If they're hiding something, I don't want you warning them before investigators can preserve the records."
For a moment, he studied me.
Then nodded.
"You're right."
I was beginning to understand something about Kieran Blackwood.
He was accustomed to solving problems through confrontation.
Through power.
Through making people afraid.
But when I pushed back, he listened.
At least sometimes.
That mattered.
Still, I wasn't going to let him become my protector simply because he had money.
Elijah was my child.
My responsibility.
And whatever happened next, I intended to remain part of every decision.
The following morning, I met with Rebecca Collins, an independent attorney who specialized in financial fraud and family matters.
She reviewed the invoices.
The payment records.
And the messages Kieran had shared.
Her expression grew serious.
"Saraphina, there may be evidence of financial misconduct."
I nodded.
"What should we do?"
"Preserve everything and report the suspected fraud."
We did.
Detective Elena Brooks joined the inquiry after investigators identified possible falsified billing records and unauthorized access to patient information.
Meanwhile, Elijah remained at St. Catherine's under the care of his medical team.
His doctors were reviewing treatment options.
They weren't making promises.
Neither was I.
I simply wanted him safe.
That afternoon, Kieran asked whether he could visit.
I hesitated.
Then agreed.
Elijah looked up from his coloring book when Kieran entered.
"Who's that?"
I smiled.
"A friend from work."
Kieran stopped.
For the first time since I'd met him, the feared Mafia boss looked genuinely nervous.
"Hello, Elijah."
My son studied him.
"You're tall."
Kieran blinked.
Then laughed.
"I've been told."
Elijah pointed toward his dinosaur.
"This is Captain Pickles."
Kieran nodded solemnly.
"A distinguished name."
Elijah grinned.
Then asked, "Do you know my daddy?"
The question struck like a knife.
Kieran's smile disappeared.
He looked toward me.
I felt tears gathering.
"Elijah..."
But my son continued.
"Mom says Daddy died before I was born."
Kieran knelt beside the bed.
His voice softened.
"I knew someone named Gabriel."
Elijah's eyes widened.
"My daddy?"
Kieran hesitated.
Then answered carefully.
"I knew a man with that name. We're trying to learn more."
I appreciated that he didn't promise something we couldn't prove.
Elijah nodded.
Then returned to his dinosaur.
But just before Kieran stood, my son said something that made him freeze.
"Grandma Vicky says Daddy isn't really dead."
My heart stopped.
"Grandma Vicky?"
Elijah looked confused.
"The blond lady."
My stomach dropped.
"Why do you call her Grandma?"
He shrugged.
"She told me to."
May you like
Then he added the words that turned my blood cold.
"She said when Mommy goes away, I'll live with her."
