Chapter 6 - The Discovery at the Mill
Two days later, the sun finally broke through the winter clouds, illuminating the frozen valley in brilliant light.
I sat in the nursery of the east wing—now completely sanitized of Grant's presence and redecorated with warm, loving touches—holding baby Milo while Dana fed June. Nora sat on a rug nearby, playing happily with a set of wooden building blocks.
My phone rang. It was Detective Miller.
"Mrs. Vance," Miller’s voice sounded quiet, almost reverent. "We found Elise."
My breath hitched in my throat. "Is she...?"
"She's alive," Miller announced.
I gasped, tears instantly springing to my eyes. "Where?"
"She was found in an abandoned hunter's cabin two miles downstream from the old mill bridge," Miller explained. "When her car went into the creek, she managed to kick open the passenger window and drag herself out. She suffered a broken leg and severe hypothermia, but a local forest ranger spotted smoke from her cabin chimney this morning."
Thirty minutes later, I arrived at County General Hospital.
I stepped into the private recovery room. Elise Ward lay in the hospital bed, her leg in a heavy cast, her face pale and bruised, an IV line hooked to her arm.
When I stepped into the room, she flinched, pulling the blanket up to her chest, her blue eyes wide with terror and shame.
"Mrs... Mrs. Vance," Elise whispered, her voice cracked and raw. "I'm so sorry... I'm so, so sorry..."
I walked over to the side of her bed, grabbed a chair, and sat down quietly. I reached out and gently took her cold, trembling hand in mine.
"You don't need to apologize, Elise," I said softly. "You saved your children. You brought them to me."
Elise began to sob, heavy tears pouring down her pale cheeks. "I didn't know he was married when I met him... by the time I found out, I was already pregnant with the twins. He threatened to kill my sister's daughter, Nora... he said if I ever spoke to you, he would make sure we all disappeared."
"He will never hurt you again," I said, squeezing her hand firmly. "Grant and Thomas are in federal custody. They are facing twenty years for embezzlement, attempted murder, and kidnapping. They will never see the light of day again."
Elise looked at me, her eyes filled with an overwhelming disbelief. "The... the babies? Are they...?"
"Milo and June are healthy, safe, and waiting for you at the estate," I smiled softly. "And Nora is eating all the oatmeal in my kitchen."
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Elise buried her face in her hands, weeping with profound relief. "Why are you doing this for me, Elena? I ruined your marriage... I lived in that room..."
"You didn't ruin my marriage, Elise," I said, looking out the hospital window at the clear blue sky. "Grant was a monster long before you met him. You gave me the truth. And you gave three beautiful children a chance at life. That's all that matters."
