Chapter 8: The Confrontation
Elena confronted her mother the next day in the police visitation room.
Victoria sat behind the glass, still composed, still wearing her pearls.
Elena sat down, Leo in a carrier on her chest.
“Why?” Elena asked, voice shaking. “He is innocent. He is your blood too.”
Victoria’s eyes were cold. “He is not pure. His father’s family has always been a threat. I protected you from them. I protected the name.”
Elena laughed bitterly. “You protected yourself. You have always protected yourself.”
Victoria leaned closer to the glass. “One day you will understand. Power requires sacrifice.”
Elena stood up.
“I understand enough,” she said. “I understand that the woman who raised me is a monster.”
She turned to leave.
Victoria’s voice rose for the first time. “You will regret this. The family will not let you take everything.”
Elena looked back one last time.
“The family is already gone,” she said. “You killed it the moment you tried to kill my son.”
She walked out without looking back.
May you like
The confrontation was over.
The healing — and the war — had just begun.
