Chapter 7 - Breach at the Estate
The rain began to fall in heavy, blinding sheets over the Hastings estate by 3:00 PM.
Inside the main living room, Rosa was pacing back and forth, her eyes glued to her phone. Mia was sitting on the rug nearby, happily coloring in a storybook, unaware of the storm brewing outside.
Rosa’s phone finally rang. It was Adrien.
“Rosa,” Adrien said, his voice brimming with triumph. “It worked. Vance’s team captured all three mercenaries at the clinic. The police are securing the evidence now.”
Rosa let out a massive sigh of relief, sinking into the sofa. “Oh, thank God! Is Vanessa in custody?”
“Not yet,” Adrien said, his tone turning cautious. “She fled the scene in her car before officers could block her in. But there’s an APB out for her across the state. She won’t get far. I’m on my way back to the estate now.”
“Please hurry,” Rosa said, looking out the large floor-to-ceiling glass windows at the dark, stormy gardens. “I don’t like being here without you.”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes, my love,” Adrien said softly.
The word ‘my love’ hung in the air, sweet and warm, making Rosa’s heart flutter despite the fear.
Suddenly, the lights inside the mansion flickered once, twice—and went completely dark.
The heavy hum of the air conditioning died. The security alarms blared once, then fell silent as the backup generators failed to kick in.
“Adrien?” Rosa gasped into the phone.
“Rosa?! What happened?” Adrien’s voice came through, suddenly distorted by heavy static. “Rosa, answer me!”
“The power just went out!” Rosa panicked, standing up and reaching for Mia. “The house is completely dark!”
On the other end of the line, Adrien heard a sudden, sharp crack—the distinct sound of a gunshot—followed by a muffled scream.
“ROSA!” Adrien yelled into the phone, slamming his foot down on the gas pedal of his car, running red lights as he sped toward his mansion at dangerous speeds. “ROSA, ANSWER ME!”
Inside the estate, the phone call disconnected.
Rosa pulled Mia into her arms, pressing the toddler’s face against her shoulder. “Shh, Mia, baby, stay quiet. Not a sound.”
Outside the living room doors, heavy footsteps echoed across the marble hallway.
Rosa ducked behind a massive leather sofa, hiding in the shadows. Her heart was beating so hard she was afraid the intruder would hear it.
The heavy oak doors of the living room swung open. A beam of flashlight swept across the dark room, illuminating the rain-streaked windows.
“Rosa...” a voice sang out, sweet, unhinged, and dripping with venom.
It was Vanessa.
She was drenched from the rain, her designer dress muddy, her makeup smeared down her face like a terrifying mask. In her right hand, she held a black handgun.
“I know you’re in here, you pathetic little rat,” Vanessa cackled, stepping slowly into the room. “Did you really think Adrien’s little police trick would stop me? I’ve known the security codes to this house for two years. Cutting the power grid was so delightfully easy.”
Rosa squeezed her eyes shut, holding Mia so tightly her knuckles turned white. Mia whimpered softly.
Vanessa froze. She turned the flashlight beam directly toward the leather sofa.
“Found you,” Vanessa whispered.
Vanessa walked around the sofa, pointing the gun straight at Rosa’s head.
Rosa looked up into the barrel of the weapon. Terror paralyzed her, but as she looked at Vanessa’s crazy, bloodshot eyes, something inside Rosa shifted. The helpless maid who had apologized on her knees in the ballroom was gone.
Rosa stood up slowly, putting her body entirely between the gun and her daughter.
“Take me,” Rosa said, her voice dead steady. “Let Mia go. She’s just a baby, Vanessa. Leave her out of this.”
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“Leave her out of this?” Vanessa laughed hysterically. “She’s the reason my life is ruined! She’s the reason Adrien threw me away like trash! You both die tonight!”
Vanessa pulled back the hammer of the gun.
