In New York, James stared at his ceiling, sleepless.
Lucia's laughter echoed faintly from down the hall, where she now lived again—comfortably, confidently.
But her voice no longer warmed him.
It grated.
The guilt gnawed louder.
---
The email arrived at 3:12 a.m.
**Subject:** URGENT
**Attachment:** Security Footage—Sky Garden Gala Night
James clicked.
The video played: Lucia pulling Elaine toward the railing. Her hand jerking Elaine's arm. Elaine stumbling on wet stairs.
No shove.
No aggression.
Only panic.
Below that, more files: Clinic receipts under Elaine's name. Medical records. Prenatal logs. Signed OB reports.
Everything she said. All of it—true.
A final document: a flagged transaction trail. Lucia siphoning Whitaker Foundation funds into an offshore account.
James'
