Chapter 4 - THE FALSE RECONCILIATION
The morning sun rose over the Vance Manor estate.
The grand wrought-iron gates swung open.
A sleek black town car pulled up to the main entrance.
The butler opened the door.
Elena stepped out.
She was no longer wearing her muddy wedding dress.
She wore a sharp, tailored black suit.
Her hair was pulled back into a sleek, flawless ponytail.
Her face was emotionless.
Julian stood on the grand porch, holding a cup of untouched coffee.
His eyes widened when he saw her.
"Elena?" Julian hurried down the steps.
"You... you came back?"
"I thought you were going to sue us... I thought—"
"I came to apologize, Julian," Elena said, her voice smooth and unnaturally calm.
Julian blinked in complete surprise.
"Apologize?"
"I lost my temper last night," Elena said, looking directly into his eyes.
"I was stressed."
"I overreacted."
"I realize now that Victoria only wanted what was best for our family structure."
Julian’s posture visibly relaxed.
A look of immense relief washed over his face.
"I knew it," Julian breathed out, smiling weakly.
"I knew you were just confused, Elena."
"Mother was furious, but if you apologize to her... I can convince her to drop the custody charges."
"We can still get married next month."
Elena felt a surge of violent disgust deep in her gut.
He was so eager to believe her lie.
He was so desperate to protect his comfortable life that he swallowed her fake apology without a second thought.
"Take me to your mother," Elena said softly.
Julian led her through the opulent hallways into Victoria’s private glass office.
Victoria sat behind a massive mahogany desk.
A white bandage covered her cheek where Elena had struck her.
She looked up, her expression cold and arrogant.
"What is this trash doing in my house, Julian?" Victoria demanded.
"Mother, she came to apologize!" Julian pleaded.
"She wants to fix things!"
Victoria stood up slowly, leaning her hands on the desk.
"An apology does not undo the embarrassment I suffered last night."
"She humiliated us in front of the Mayor."
"She will not get her child back until she signs away all parental rights."
Elena took three slow steps toward the desk.
She reached into her purse.
Julian reached out defensively. "Elena, don't—"
Elena didn't pull a weapon.
She pulled out a single sheet of paper and slid it across the mahogany desk.
It was a printed copy of the 1998 St. Jude Hospital birth record.
Victoria glanced down at the paper.
In less than two seconds, all the color drained from Victoria Vance’s face.
Her hands began to shake uncontrollably.
"Where... where did you get this?" Victoria stammered, her voice stripped of all its authority.
Julian looked confused. "What is that, Mother?"
Victoria slammed her hand over the paper, screaming at her son.
"GET OUT OF THIS ROOM, JULIAN!"
"Mother?" Julian asked, stunned by her sudden hysteria.
"OUT! NOW!" Victoria shrieked.
Julian backed out of the office, closing the heavy oak doors behind him.
Elena leaned over the desk, staring straight into Victoria’s terrified eyes.
"You have two hours to bring Lily back to me," Elena said in a deadly whisper.
"Or this document goes to every news station in the state."
Victoria’s breath hitched.
May you like
"You wouldn't dare..."
"Try me," Elena replied.
