The city woke hungry for scandal.
Every channel replayed the same clip—Adrian entering the warehouse hours before Ethan’s kidnapping. Commentators argued over motives. Headlines questioned his fitness as a father.
Doubt spread fast.
Elena watched in silence.
Lucas muted the TV. “It’s fake. Facial grafting, altered timestamps. Clean work.”
“But people don’t analyze,” Elena said quietly. “They react.”
Adrian stood by the window, rigid. “Victor doesn’t need the truth. Just uncertainty.”
Across the room, Ethan sat on the floor, drawing with bright crayons under the watch of two guards. His small laughter clashed painfully with the tension.
Elena crossed the room and pulled him into a tight hug.
“Mama?” he asked softly.
“I’m here,” she whispered.
But fear lingered beneath the words.
