Chapter 8 - The Ultimatum
The silence in the office was deafening.
Valentina closed the door behind her and locked it.
She looked incredibly calm.
That was the most terrifying part.
“I knew you were a rat, Elena,” Valentina sneered.
She waved the gun, gesturing for Elena to drop the folder.
Elena refused. She gripped the papers tighter.
“Put them down,” Valentina commanded, stepping closer.
“Or I will shoot you right now and tell the police you were stealing.”
“Who do you think they will believe? The billionaire's grieving wife, or the desperate maid?”
Harrison stepped in front of Elena, trembling but resolute.
“Don't do this, Madame,” he pleaded. “It has gone too far.”
Valentina laughed bitterly.
“Shut up, old man. You are just a dog on my leash.”
She aimed the gun at Harrison’s leg.
“Drop the papers, Elena. Now.”
Elena slowly lowered the folder onto the mahogany desk.
Valentina snatched it up with her free hand, a triumphant smirk on her face.
“You really thought you could outsmart me?” Valentina mocked.
“I built this entire empire on secrets.”
“Marco is a fool. He only cares about his grief and his business.”
“He doesn't even notice what happens in his own home.”
Valentina locked the folder back inside the safe.
She spun the dial, securing her lies once more.
She turned back to Elena and Harrison.
“I cannot have you two ruining my plans with only forty-eight hours left.”
“Harrison, you are confined to your quarters until after the birthday.”
“And you, Elena,” Valentina's eyes narrowed.
“You are fired. Effective immediately.”
“You have exactly one hour to pack your bags and leave this property.”
“If you try to speak to Marco, I will make the phone call.”
“Your brother’s medical care will vanish before sunrise.”
“And I promise you, I have friends who can ensure he never gets treated anywhere else.”
Elena felt the world spinning around her.
She had lost.
She had tried to play the hero, and now she had lost everything.
Valentina unlocked the office door.
“One hour. If I see your face on this property again, you will regret it.”
Elena walked out of the office, her legs feeling like lead.
She went to her small room and began stuffing her few clothes into a bag.
Tears streamed down her face.
She pictured Isabella, waiting in the dark attic for a rescue that would never come.
She pictured the little girl being forced to sign away her life.
Elena zipped up her bag.
She walked out the back servant’s door into the cold night air.
The heavy iron gates closed behind her with a dreadful clang.
She stood on the sidewalk, staring up at the massive mansion.
She was supposed to walk away.
She was supposed to go home and protect her brother.
But as she looked up, she saw a faint light flickering in the highest attic window.
A desperate plea for help.
Elena dropped her bag onto the sidewalk.
She wasn't leaving.
May you like
She was going back in.
And this time, she wasn't going to play by Valentina’s rules.
