Chapter 3 - The Price of Treachery
When I woke up, the harsh fluorescent lights of the operating room were gone, replaced by the soft, warm ambient glow of a private recovery suite.
The air smelled of antiseptic and fresh lilies. Beside my bed, a large glass bassinet rested beneath a warm lamp.
Mateo was sitting in a chair, asleep with his head resting on the edge of my mattress, his hand still curled around mine.
I moved slightly, a dull ache throbbing in my abdomen from the C-section incision, but the fiery sting on my shoulder was managed by a cooling bandage.
At the slight movement, Mateo snapped awake instantly, his eyes clearing in a fraction of a second.
"Kaylee?" he breathed, jumping up to lean over me. "How do you feel? Do you need pain meds? Water?"
"The baby..." I choked out, my throat dry as sand. "Where is he?"
Mateo smiled—a pure, beautiful smile that erased every line of stress from his face. He turned to the bassinet, carefully lifting a small, blue-blanketed bundle into his arms, and walked over to my side.
"Meet Leo Mateo Vance," he whispered, gently placing our son into my arms. "Six pounds, eight ounces. Healthy, strong, and screaming like a champion the moment he hit the air."
I looked down at the tiny face resting against my chest. He had a tuft of dark hair just like Mateo's and small, perfect fingers that immediately reached out to grasp my thumb. Tears flooded my eyes, dripping onto the receiving blanket.
He was safe. The silver tray had done its job.
A quiet knock sounded at the door. Detective Ross stepped into the room, holding a beige case file beneath his arm. His expression was solemn, but respectful as he tipped his hat to Mateo and me.
"Mrs. Vance," Ross said softly. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I need to give you an update on the custody of the suspects and take a brief formal statement when you're up for it."
"I'm ready, Detective," I said, keeping my eyes on my son. "Tell me."
Ross opened the file. "State troopers pulled over your sister, Camila, thirty miles north of your residence. She attempted to throw the decoy tracking device out the window, but the audio log had already been recorded and uploaded to state servers. She was arrested at the scene for felony grand larceny, breaking and entering, and conspiracy."
"And my mother?" I asked.
"Valyria Vance—sorry, Valyria Reyes—is currently being held at the county jail without bail," Ross replied. "Given the nature of the attack, the District Attorney has upgraded her charges from simple assault to attempted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, child endangerment, and extortion. The recording of her threatening your unborn child with boiling liquid while demanding a signed financial guarantee is watertight. She isn't getting out."
"And Arturo?" Mateo asked, his voice hardening.
"Your father surrendered without a fight when the precinct officers arrived at your house," Ross said. "He’s cooperating with prosecutors to save himself. He’s already given a full confession detailing how they planned the baby shower as a distraction to break into your safe, steal your hardware wallet, and force you into signing over liability for their three-million-dollar real estate debt."
I took a slow, deep breath, feeling the finality of his words settle into my bones.
May you like
"They thought I was weak because I was pregnant," I said softly.
"They underestimated a mother," Detective Ross said, closing his folder. "You'll have to testify at the grand jury hearing in a few weeks, but for now, rest easy. They won't ever come near you or your son again."
