Chapter 15 - THE DAY ROSA ALMOST RAN
The flash drive contained hundreds of messages.
Most were financial.
Some were legal.
A handful terrified Rosa.
Victoria had asked for Lily’s preschool schedule.
Rosa’s apartment address.
The make and model of Rosa’s car.
She had requested information about food allergies.
Medical history.
Emergency contacts.
No message openly ordered violence.
Nothing was explicit.
That made it worse.
Victoria was careful.
Rosa packed again.
This time Ethan did not stop her.
He found her sitting on Lily’s bed with tears running down her face.
“I can’t do this.”
He sat across from her.
“You shouldn’t have to.”
“I brought her into this house.”
“You didn’t cause this.”
“I should have told you three years ago.”
Ethan looked at the floor.
“And I should have found you four years ago.”
Neither apology could rewrite time.
Rosa wiped her face.
“I don’t care about the trust.”
“I know.”
“I don’t care about the Caldwell name.”
“I know.”
“I want my daughter alive and happy.”
“So do I.”
She looked at him.
“Then let me take her somewhere no one knows.”
Ethan wanted to say no.
Every part of him wanted Lily where he could see her.
But love was not ownership.
He nodded.
“I’ll arrange somewhere safe.”
Rosa’s expression softened.
“You’d let us go?”
“No.”
She frowned.
Ethan smiled sadly.
“I’d hate every second.”
“But I’d help you leave.”
That answer changed something between them.
For the first time, Rosa saw the man she had loved years ago rather than the billionaire controlling a crisis.
She reached across the bed.
Their hands touched.
Then Lily appeared in the doorway.
“Why are you crying?”
Rosa quickly wiped her cheeks.
“I’m okay.”
Lily looked suspicious.
Then she walked toward Ethan.
“Daddy?”
The word still made him stop every time.
“Yes?”
“Can Mama stay?”
Ethan looked at Rosa.
“That’s Mama’s choice.”
Lily thought about this.
Then she climbed onto the bed between them.
“I choose everybody stays.”
Rosa laughed through her tears.
For one evening, they pretended a three-year-old could solve everything.
At nine thirteen, the lights went out.
Daniel’s voice came through Ethan’s phone instantly.
“Security breach.”
Ethan stood.
“Where?”
“The east wing.”
Rosa grabbed Lily.
Then came a sound from downstairs.
Wood cracking.
Glass breaking.
Ethan ran toward the parlor.
By the time he arrived, flames were climbing the side of the grand piano.
Someone had entered the Caldwell estate for one reason.
Not to hurt Ethan.
Not to hurt Rosa.
To destroy the piano.
May you like
And whatever secrets were still hidden inside it.
---
