Chapter 16 - The Man at the Door
Elena was staying in a protected residence with Chloe when someone knocked after midnight.
She froze.
Three knocks.
Pause.
Two more.
The security signal agreed upon with police.
Ortiz entered.
“We found Bell.”
“Is he alive?”
“Yes.”
Bell had been arrested at an abandoned property outside Houston.
He carried a passport, cash, and Daniel’s photograph.
Elena expected relief.
Instead she felt strangely empty.
“What happens now?”
“He goes to trial.”
“And me?”
Ortiz looked at her.
“You live.”
The simplicity of the answer broke something inside her.
For years, Elena had fought not to die.
Nobody had taught her how to live afterward.
Chloe appeared in the hallway.
“Mom?”
Elena turned.
May you like
And suddenly she knew where to begin.
“Come here, baby.”
