Chapter 3: The Resurrection
"She's alive," Maya whispered to herself, the blood draining from her face.
She realized then that this wasn't just a kidnapping; it was a reclamation. Mark and his mother had orchestrated a fake death five years ago to avoid a massive SEC investigation and a mountain of debt. They had been hiding in plain sight, and now they needed a "fresh start" with a legitimate heir to the family trust—Lily.
There was a knock at the door. "Maya, open up," Mark said, his voice terrifyingly normal. "Let's talk about the future."
May you like
Maya didn't answer. She climbed out the study window, dropping onto the wet grass of the backyard. She didn't have her car keys, but she had Mrs. Gable’s spare garage fob. She crept toward the garage, the rain beginning to lash down. She caught a glimpse of a black SUV idling at the edge of the property line.
She watched from the shadows as Eleanor emerged from the SUV. The woman looked exactly as she had in the photos, only harder, more predatory. She handed the baby to a driver and walked toward the house to meet her son. They weren't hiding; they were finishing the job.
