In the Blackwoods Mansion- 1:00PM
Third Person POV
Alexander's mansion was warm in a way Elena didn't expect. Soft sunlight filtered through high windows, catching on polished wood and gold accents. Evan slipped his small hand into hers as they stepped inside, his eyes bright with curiosity.
"Wow, Mommy…" he whispered.
Alexander stood beside them, watching the little boy with an expression Elena couldn't place. Tender. Protective. Something deeper beneath it.
Lunch was quiet but warm. Evan chatted about his classes, his projects, the math equations he solved "just for fun," and Alexander listened like it was the most important conversation of his day.
At one point, Evan grinned and tugged at Elena's sleeve.
"Mom taught me everything", he said proudly.
Elena felt heat rush to her cheeks. Alexander's chest rose with a slow, deep breath.
"Of course. Your mother is a genius", Alexander said looking at Elena fondly.
He was falling. That much was clear.
Elena didn't know what to do with the ache that bloomed inside her whenever he looked at her like that.
*
A soft knock came.
Sebastian bowed slightly. "Master, Mr. Charles Silver Birch and his daughter, Miss Seraphina Silver Birch are here."
Alexander nodded. "Show them in."
Seraphina entered first, ethereal with strawberry-blonde hair and violet eyes that looked almost unreal. Charles followed, warm and proud with blonde hair and grey eyes. His eyes lit on Elena and Evan.
Pleasantries were exchanged and Alexander remained calm.
"Alexander," Charles said, clasping his hands. "We have a proposal. A new film. Ambitious. Expensive. Worth every cent."
Seraphina's gaze softened on Elena. "We'd like you to consider investing before discussing the budget, so you can focus on your time with your lovely guest here."
Elena stared, stunned. Alexander exhaled slowly, eyes drifting between her and his guests.
"Alright but be quick. Sebastian, show Evan around."
Elena straightened and looked worried.
"Elena, security is extremely tight here. He'll be safe", Alexander assured her.
Elena nodded, brushing Evan's hair fondly before Sebastian led him out. Her chest tightened with a strange feeling.
They settled back at the table.
Charles opened his portfolio.
Alexander leaned forward.
Seraphina lifted a page.
And then...
GUNSHOTS.
Close. Violent. Too many.
Seraphina pushed Elena down instinctively. Alexander was already on his feet, his expression lethal.
The second round of gunshots rang out much more closely.
"Evan" Elena breathed, getting out of Seraphina's hold and scrambling to her feet.
They all bolted from the dining room, sprinting down the hall as the echoes of bullets sound through the mansion.
"Sebastian!" Alexander shouted.
They turned the corner and the world stopped.
Sebastian was on his knees, blood soaking through his shirt, his hands shaking violently as he pressed them to a deep wound in his abdomen.
"No…NO, NOOO", Elena screamed, dropping beside him.
Sebastian lifted his trembling eyes darted between Alexander and Elena.
"I… I tried," he gasped, "She…she moved too fast. I couldn't… couldn't stop her…"
Elena's heart threatened to jump off her ribs. "Where's my son? Where is Evan?"
Sebastian choked, tears mixing with blood.
"Piper… Piper Redding… she… she took him."
The hallway spun.
Elena staggered backward, hands trembling uncontrollably.
"No," she whispered. "No. Evan. My baby…"
Sebastian's voice cracked. "I'm… I'm sorry…"
A ringing filled her ears. Her neck ached violently. The world blurred around her. Her knees buckled.
Alexander lunged toward her, "Elena!", he yelled.
But she was already falling, her scream ripped from her throat as her body hit the marble floor with a sickening thud.
Then everything went dark.