All Chapters of After The Night In Miami : Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Elena’s POV“Welcome home, family.”Serena’s voice echoes through the house like poison dripping from the ceiling speakers, sweet and sickening all at once . I freeze in the foyer, Julian’s hand tight on my lower back, Grandma right behind us with her revolver hidden in her purse .The walls are lined with photos. Me at five, face scratched out with something sharp. Me at ten, eyes gouged. Me at fifteen, mouth carved away. Every single one destroyed. My stomach turns.Julian’s voice is low . “She’s been waiting a long time for this .”Grandma’s hand finds my shoulder . “Stay strong, mija. We’re getting him out.”Serena’s voice laughs through the speakers. “Come to the living room. Slowly. Hands where I can see them. Any tricks and the boy loses an ear.”Julian’s jaw flexes. “We do what she says until Ramirez is in position.”I nod, my throat burning. We walk away , The living room doors are open. Leo is in the center, tied to the same chair from the video, blindfold soaked with tear

Elena’s POV“He’s finally down.”Julian’s whisper drifts in from the doorway, soft as the nightlight glow spilling across Leo’s rocket bed . I’m sitting on the edge of the mattress, fingers tangled in Leo’s curls, watching his little chest rise and fall like it’s the only thing keeping me tethered to earth .I don’t turn around . “He asked me if the bad lady is coming back.”Julian’s footsteps stop behind me . “What did you tell him ?”“That she’s gone forever .” My voice cracks on the lie . “That Mommy and Daddy won’t let anyone hurt him again .”He kneels beside me, hand gentle on my back . “We won’t .”I finally look at him . His eyes are red-rimmed, shirt wrinkled from carrying Leo for hours, refusing to let anyone else hold him on the way home .I try to smile . It wobbles and dies. “I keep waiting to wake up and find him gone .”Julian’s thumb brushes my cheek , catching a tear I didn’t know fell. “He’s here . Look at him .”Leo makes a small sound in his sleep, turns toward m

Elena ’s POV“I can’t do this anymore .”The words come out before I even open my eyes, my stomach already churning like it’s trying to turn itself inside out . I bolt from the bed, hand over my mouth, barely making it to the bathroom before I’m on my knees heaving into the toilet . Nothing comes up but bile and yesterday’s fear , Julian is right behind me, kneeling, gathering my hair back with gentle hands .“I’ve got you,” he whispers, over and over . “I’ve got you, fox . Just breathe.”I grip the porcelain , shaking. “I can’t breathe . I can’t stop seeing it .”He flushes, wets a washcloth, presses it to my neck . “Seeing what ?”“Leo in that chair,” I sob. “The shears. The blindfold. Every time I close my eyes it’s there.”He pulls me into his lap on the bathroom floor, rocks me like I’m the child .“I know,” he says, voice cracking . “I see it too .”I cling to his shirt . “It’s my fault .”He pulls back, cups my face . “Stop .”“If I hadn’t come back into your life none of t

Elena’s POV“Why is Mommy sad again ?”Leo’s question hangs in the air like smoke during breakfast, his little fork paused halfway to his mouth , eyes flicking between Julian and me.I freeze with my coffee cup halfway to my lips .Julian’s hand stills on his orange juice .Grandma looks down at her plate .I force a smile. “Mommy’s not sad, baby. Just thinking.”Leo frowns. “You look sad. Like when T-Rex lost his tail.”Julian clears his throat. “Mommy’s tired, Captain . Grown-ups get tired sometimes.”Leo looks at me . “Do you need a hug ?”My heart cracks wide open .I open my arms. “Always.”He climbs into my lap, wraps his arms around my neck .“I love you bigger than volcanoes,” he whispers .I hold him tight. “Bigger than the whole world.”He pulls back, looks at Julian. “Daddy needs a hug too .”Julian’s eyes meet mine, raw and pleading .I nod once.Leo crawls across the table, into Julian’s lap.Julian holds him close, eyes closing.I watch them, throat burning.Grandma stan

Elena’s POV“Mommy, why are all the people yelling outside ?”Leo’s question comes from the playroom window, his little face pressed to the glass, pointing down at the street thirty-six floors below .I rush over, pull the curtains closed fast .“Just some noisy neighbors, baby. Come play with T-Rex.”He frowns. “They have signs with your picture.”My stomach drops .Julian walks in, phone in hand, face thunder .“What is it?”He shows me the screen.Page Six headline screaming.THE REAL BASTARD : HAYES HEIR’S SECRET ULTRASOUND LEAKEDThe photo is grainy but unmistakable .Me at twenty-three, lying on the exam table, Julian’s hand on my belly, eyes wide with wonder .Caption:Anonymous source claims Elena Alvarez trapped billionaire with pregnancy – “Proof the boy isn’t even his.”Comments exploding.Gold-digger.Trap baby.Whore.I sink to the floor.Julian kneels, pulls me against him.Leo crawls into my lap. “Mommy?”I hold him tight. “I’m okay, baby.”Julian’s voice is lethal quie