Chapter 18 - THE WOMAN WHO WOULD NOT RETURN
Vivian was released from the hospital after two nights of monitoring, with strict instructions to rest and return immediately if the contractions worsened.
Mara took her to a furnished apartment above a small legal office. It was quiet, secure, and far enough from the estate that no one would casually search for her there.
The lawyer, Rebecca Sloan, reviewed the documents over two long afternoons.
“The transfers are serious,” Rebecca said. “But the strongest evidence is the use of your digital credentials without your consent.”
“Can we prove it?”
“We can request the device logs and compare them with your location records. We can also preserve the original files and obtain statements from the people who handled the accounts.”
“What about the guardianship petition?”
“It's a draft. It has not been filed. But it shows intent.”
Vivian looked at the page.
“Can Matteo use it against me?”
“He could try. But it isn't evidence that you're unfit. It's evidence that someone planned to portray you that way.”
Vivian felt a small wave of relief.
Rebecca continued.
“I want you to understand that leaving the estate was not a crime. You were locked in a room against your will. You had every right to leave.”
“He'll say he was trying to protect me.”
“Then he can explain why he locked the door from the outside.”
Vivian looked out the window.
She could still remember Matteo's voice. The gentleness that had frightened her more than anger.
“You are not disappearing with my son.”
She had not disappeared.
She had escaped.
That evening, Daniel arrived with a sealed envelope.
“Mr. Draven asked me to give you this if I found you.”
Vivian did not take it.
“Did he ask you to find me?”
“Yes.”
“Did he tell you to bring me back?”
Daniel looked down.
“He told me to make sure you were safe.”
“Those are different things.”
“I know.”
He placed the envelope on the table.
Then he left.
Vivian waited until the door closed before opening it.
Inside was a single page in Matteo's handwriting.
Viv,
I won't ask you to come home.
I won't ask you to forgive me.
I know what I did. I know what I allowed. I know that locking that door was another betrayal, no matter how I justified it to myself.
I have frozen the Northline accounts and turned the records over to independent counsel. I have removed my name from the guardianship petition and instructed the family attorney not to contact you.
I want to find you because I need to know you're safe. But I understand that you may not want me near you.
I am sorry.
Matteo.
Vivian read the letter once.
Then she folded it and placed it in the drawer.
Mara watched her.
“Do you believe him?”
“I believe he's sorry.”
“Is that enough?”
“No.”
Vivian rested her hand over her stomach.
May you like
“He doesn't get to decide when I'm safe. He doesn't get to decide when I come home.”
For the first time since New Year's Eve, she slept for six uninterrupted hours.
