Chapter 11 - THE WIFE WHO HAD NEVER LEFTVictor stood motionless beside Liam's hospital bed.
His supposedly dead wife had spent years visiting the boy.
And apparently planning his murder.
Rebecca took Chloe's hand.
“Elena wasn't merely involved in Mercy. She helped create the program's financial structure.”
Victor shook his head.
“She was trying to expose it.”
“That was what she wanted you to believe.”
Gabriel connected Liam's medical monitor to its portable backup while the rescue team prepared to move him.
Victor stared at Rebecca.
“Explain.”
Rebecca drew a shaky breath.
“Elena discovered that Caldwell was laundering stolen healthcare funds through the research companies. She initially threatened to expose him.”
“What changed?”
“He offered her control of the accounts.”
Victor's expression hardened.
“And she accepted?”
Rebecca nodded.
“But your father discovered the arrangement. Elena staged her death before he could remove her from the operation.”
Chloe looked at Victor.
He seemed suddenly older.
For twelve years, he had mourned a woman who had betrayed him.
Then his phone rang.
Elena.
Victor answered without speaking.
“I assume you've reached Saint Agnes,” she said.
“Where are you?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“Your husband is standing in a hospital full of evidence against you.”
Elena laughed.
“Evidence can disappear.”
Victor glanced toward Chloe.
“Not this time.”
Elena's voice sharpened.
“You have no idea what you've started.”
Victor answered coldly.
“You threatened a waitress and her brother. That's what started this.”
A pause.
Then Elena said, “You always did have a weakness for women who needed saving.”
Victor's eyes narrowed.
“Chloe doesn't need me to save her. She needs the people who hurt her family to face justice.”
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Elena whispered, “Ask Rebecca what happened to your first child.”
Victor went pale.
“What?”
Elena continued.
“Your father told you our daughter died before she was born.”
Victor gripped the phone.
“Elena, don't.”
“She survived.”
Chloe looked at Rebecca.
Her mother's face had turned white.
Victor spoke slowly.
“Where is my daughter?”
Elena laughed softly.
“You've been looking at her all night.”
The call ended.
May you like
Victor stared at Chloe.
And for one terrible moment, neither of them could breathe.
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