CHAPTER 3: The Choice
CHAPTER 3: The Choice
The investigation escalated within days.
Victoria wasn’t just charged with fraud or coercion anymore.
There were additional layers now—identity manipulation, medical falsification, psychological abuse, and attempted harm.
But the strangest part wasn’t the charges.
It was what she said when questioned.
“She was never supposed to keep the baby,” Victoria told the investigators calmly. “That child belongs to our family legacy.”
When Alejandro told me that, I felt something inside me go completely still.
Not fear this time.
Clarity.
That night, I stood by the window, looking at the empty street outside. Alejandro came up behind me but didn’t touch me.
“I can remove you from all of this,” he said quietly. “Witness protection. New identity. Safe distance.”
I didn’t answer immediately.
Because for the first time, I realized something important.
Running would mean the story still controlled me.
I turned slightly toward him.
“What happens if I don’t run?” I asked.
Alejandro’s eyes held mine for a long moment.
Then he said something I didn’t expect.
“Then we finish it. Properly. Legally. Completely.”
I placed my hand over my belly.
May you like
This time, it didn’t feel like fear.
It felt like decision.
