Chapter 2
Chapter 2 - The Housekeeper’s Rebellion
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. It was Elena.
The elderly housekeeper had served the family for over thirty years. Smelling smoke from the kitchen, she had run straight upstairs. When she reached the landing, she saw Teresa standing by the door—and spotted the key in her hand.
"Madam? What are you doing?"
Teresa quickly hid the key behind her back. "It was an accident, Elena."
From inside the room, Valeria’s muffled voice cried out, "Help! Please, help me!"
The reality of the situation clicked instantly for the housekeeper. "Unlock the door."
Teresa offered a cold smile. "Go back to the kitchen, Elena."
Elena took a step forward, her voice trembling but firm. "She is pregnant."
"Which is exactly why she cannot leave this room."
Elena froze for a fraction of a second. Then, fueled by pure adrenaline, she lunged at Teresa. She grabbed the older woman’s wrist. The two women grappled in the hallway. Teresa tried to shove her back, but Elena slammed Teresa's hand against the wall. The key slipped from Teresa's fingers, clattering onto the hardwood floor.
Both scrambled for it. Elena was faster. She snatched the key and bolted for the door.
"Don't you dare!" Teresa shrieked.
But Elena had already turned the lock. A violent wave of black smoke billowed out of the room. Elena shielded her face and plunged inside.
"Valeria!" she choked out.
She couldn't see. The bedroom had turned into a hellscape of towering red embers and choking smog. Hearing a faint cough near the bed, Elena rushed over. She found Valeria on the floor, curled in a fetal position to shield her stomach.
"I’m here," Elena gasping, lifting her up. "We have to go. Now."
Valeria could barely stand. "I can't... I can't breathe..."
Elena grabbed a throw blanket, doused it with water from a bedside pitcher, and draped it over Valeria’s shoulders. "Cover your face!"
They ducked low, moving through the thick smoke. The flames blocked their path, but the doorway was only a few feet away. They were almost out. Then, a figure stepped into the doorway from the hall.
Daniel. Valeria’s husband.
For a brief second, relief washed over Valeria. "Daniel!"
Daniel looked at them from across the threshold. He saw the raging fire. He saw his pregnant wife. He saw Elena trying to drag her to safety. But he didn't step forward. He didn't reach out. He just watched.
Valeria’s heart sank as the horrifying truth hit her. "You knew..."
Daniel grabbed the edge of the door. Elena tried to lung forward. "Sir, help us!"
With an icy stare, Daniel slammed the door shut. "No one leaves this room alive."
The lock clicked back into place. Elena threw her weight against the door, pounding on the glass panel. "Open the door!"
Through the glass, Daniel stood cold. "If she survives, the baby inherits everything."
Teresa stepped up beside her son, smoothing down her dress as if they were discussing a business transaction. "We can't leave any witnesses, Daniel."
Valeria pressed her hand against the glass. "Daniel... it’s your baby."
May you like
He avoided her eyes. "It’s the heir. It’s not the same thing."
With that, the two turned and walked away down the hall.
