Chapter 2 - The Woman Who Ran
Victoria reached the side gate before Marcus understood what was happening.
“Victoria!”
She did not stop.
She shoved the iron gate open and ran toward the driveway.
Marcus followed.
His shoes slipped on the wet stones.
Behind him, Rosa shouted that the paramedics had arrived.
For half a second, Marcus hesitated.
His son came first.
Nothing else mattered.
He stopped chasing Victoria.
“Let her go.”
The estate guard near the driveway looked confused.
“Sir?”
“Close the front gate.”
The guard immediately reached for his radio.
“Do not touch her.”
Marcus pointed toward the house.
“Just make sure she doesn’t leave the property.”
Victoria reached her silver Mercedes.
The electronic gate at the end of the driveway began sliding shut.
She jumped into the driver’s seat.
The engine started.
Marcus stood thirty yards away.
“Victoria!”
She reversed so violently that the rear tires crossed onto the grass.
Then she accelerated toward the gate.
The estate guard stepped aside.
The Mercedes stopped only inches from the closing iron barrier.
Victoria slammed both hands against the steering wheel.
Marcus watched her through the windshield.
She looked nothing like the frightened woman who had been crying beside him moments earlier.
Her face was twisted with rage.
A paramedic rushed past Marcus toward the pool.
Marcus turned away from the car.
His child mattered more than anything Victoria could do.
He hurried back.
The paramedics examined the baby on the patio.
Elena stood nearby, hugging herself against the cold.
Marcus noticed her trembling.
One paramedic asked what had happened.
Victoria’s voice suddenly came from behind them.
“The maid pushed the stroller.”
Everyone turned.
Victoria had walked back from the driveway.
Her face was composed again.
Marcus stared at her.
“You were trying to leave.”
“I panicked.”
“You ran.”
“My godson almost drowned.”
Marcus frowned.
“Your godson?”
Victoria blinked.
She had always called the baby that in public.
But in private, she had repeatedly pushed Marcus to let her become more involved in the child’s life.
He had once thought it was affection.
Now something about it felt wrong.
The lead paramedic lifted the baby carefully.
“We’re transporting him for observation.”
Marcus immediately moved toward the ambulance.
Elena stepped back.
Marcus stopped.
For the first time, he truly looked at her.
Her cheek was swelling.
One knee was scraped.
Her uniform was soaked.
She had nearly drowned saving his child.
And he had hit her.
His voice became quieter.
“Elena.”
She did not answer.
“I’m going with my son.”
She nodded.
Marcus struggled for words.
“I…”
Elena finally met his eyes.
“Go to your baby.”
There was no anger in her voice.
That made it worse.
Marcus followed the paramedics.
Victoria moved after him.
“No.”
She stopped.
Marcus faced her.
“You’re not coming.”
Her mouth opened.
“Marcus, what are you talking about?”
“You tried to leave when I mentioned the camera.”
“I told you I panicked.”
“Stay here.”
“Marcus.”
“Stay.”
His tone ended the conversation.
Victoria stared at him.
Then something cold passed across her expression.
It vanished quickly.
Marcus climbed into the ambulance.
As the doors closed, he saw Elena standing beneath the patio lights.
Rosa wrapped a blanket around her shoulders.
Victoria stood several feet away.
Neither woman moved.
Then Marcus’s phone vibrated.
A message from David.
I found the recording.
Marcus stared at the screen.
May you like
Another message appeared.
Sir, you need to see this.
