Chapter 5 - The Camera Never Lies
“Pack your things,” Vanessa hissed at Elena.
“You and your brat are leaving immediately.”
Elena sobbed, holding her sleeping son tightly as the twins continued to cry in their cribs.
“No one is leaving,” Julian said, his voice dropping an octave.
Vanessa looked at him in shock.
“Julian, she poisoned your son!”
Julian walked slowly to the corner of the nursery and pointed to a tiny, black dome hidden near the ceiling.
“My wife insisted on blind spots to protect the twins’ privacy,” Julian said quietly.
“But when she died, I had the security team install high-definition micro-cameras in every square inch of this wing.”
Vanessa’s face went completely pale.
“Elias,” Julian called out over his shoulder.
His fixer stepped into the room, holding a tablet.
Elias tapped the screen, and the video from ten minutes ago began to play.
Clear as day, the footage showed Vanessa sneaking into the room and pouring the hot sauce into the bowl.
Elena let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.
Julian slowly turned his gaze to Vanessa.
It was the look of a predator about to strike.
“You burned my infant son’s mouth to win a petty argument with my staff,” Julian said, his voice lethally calm.
“Julian, I can explain—” Vanessa stammered, backing away toward the door.
“Elias, escort Ms. Sterling off my property,” Julian interrupted.
“If she ever sets foot in this zip code again, I will release this footage to every news outlet in the country.”
Vanessa burst into tears and practically ran out of the room, Elias right on her heels.
The room fell silent, save for the soft sniffles of the babies.
Julian walked over to Elena, who was trembling on the floor.
He reached out a large, warm hand.
“I am so sorry,” he said softly.
Elena looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes, and took his hand.
May you like
As he pulled her up, she stumbled slightly, and he caught her by the waist.
For a long moment, they stood entirely too close, the air between them suddenly charged with something unexpected.
