Chapter 6 - The Alliance
The attack changed everything between them.
The awkwardness of two strangers was gone, replaced by a fiery, undeniable bond forged in trauma.
Elena sat on the edge of the bed later that night, watching Isabella finally drift off to sleep.
Mateo entered quietly, holding two glasses of aged whiskey.
He handed her one and sat in the armchair across from her.
"Dr. Arturo made a fatal mistake tonight," Mateo said, taking a slow sip.
"By attacking my home, he gave me the legal right to hunt him down like an animal."
Elena stared at the amber liquid in her glass.
"He tried to kill my baby twice," she said, her voice turning cold and hard.
"I don't just want him in jail, Mateo."
"I want him to feel the exact same terror I felt in that freezing hospital room."
Mateo looked at her, deeply impressed by the fire burning in the former waitress's eyes.
She was no longer a victim; she was a fierce mother ready for war.
"Then we will go to Veracruz tomorrow," Mateo agreed.
"We will look him in the eyes together."
He leaned forward, the distance between them feeling suddenly very small.
"You are the strongest woman I have ever met, Elena."
Elena met his gaze, feeling a strange, intoxicating flutter in her chest.
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"And you are not the monster they write about in the magazines," she replied softly.
They sat in comfortable silence, two broken souls slowly healing each other.
