Chapter 4 - The Mother's Hubris
Elena Blackwood was annoyed. The internet in the mansion was down, her bank cards were declining at high-end boutiques, and her brothers were pacing the living room like caged animals.
Assuming David was just throwing a childish tantrum, Elena decided to handle it herself. She drove to the Roanoke hospital, expecting to use her status and a fake smile to intimidate her ex-husband into backing off.
She walked into the pediatric wing wearing designer sunglasses and a cashmere coat. "David," she sighed, approaching him in the hallway. "This is getting ridiculous. Maya is fine. The boys just got a little out of hand. If you drop this crusade, I'll convince my father to cut you a check for half a million dollars."
David didn't scream. He looked at the woman he had once loved, feeling nothing but absolute, freezing disgust.
He pulled out his phone and hit play.
The encrypted video Chloe had sent filled the screen. Elena’s face drained of all color as she watched herself on the screen, looking down at her own child being beaten with a crowbar, and then calmly pulling the blinds shut.
May you like
"You think this is about money?" David whispered, stepping into her space, his voice vibrating with lethal intent. "That video is currently sitting on the desk of a federal prosecutor specializing in child endangerment and conspiracy. You aren't walking away from this, Elena. You are going to rot in a cell."
Elena stumbled backward, her arrogance shattering into pure terror. She turned and sprinted out of the hospital, finally realizing the gates of hell had opened.
