Chapter 12 - The First Setup
Noah had never been dropped.
Two months earlier, Elena slipped on the nursery rug while carrying him.
She caught herself against the wall.
Noah never left her arms.
Victoria later approached Lily.
"She offered me ten thousand dollars to say you dropped him," Lily said.
Elena stared.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought she was testing me. When I refused, she smiled and said she was joking."
Then Victoria started asking about Lily's family.
Her brother's medical debt.
Her mother's rent.
Information Lily had never shared.
"She wanted me to know she could reach them."
Adrian's face hardened.
Rachel asked Lily whether Victoria ever threatened her directly.
"No. She didn't need to."
The folder proved preparation.
Samuel and Victoria had considered making Lily a witness against Elena.
When Lily refused, they began planning to make Lily the suspect instead.
Police found drafts of a statement claiming Lily had "obsessive attachment" to Noah.
Another claimed she resented Elena.
A third suggested she had access to cleaning supplies and baby formula.
Elena felt sick.
If Lily had not smashed the bottle, Noah might have been hurt.
If Lily had smashed it and the spill had looked normal, Lily might have been blamed.
Either way, she was disposable.
Elena took Lily's hands.
"I need you to hear me. I am not asking you to forgive me for hitting you."
Lily nodded slowly.
"I know."
"I will spend as long as it takes earning back your trust."
Lily looked toward Noah.
"Start by believing people before they have to save someone."
Elena's eyes filled.
"I will."
Then Daniel entered with news.
Samuel's SUV had been found near a private airfield.
Inside was Marcus Vale's bloodied jacket.
No body.
May you like
No Marcus.
And on the passenger seat sat a boarding pass under Adrian Bennett's name.
