Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT THE FORTRESS WENT DARK
The attack came on a Thursday.
At 8:42 p.m., the mansion's exterior cameras went offline.
At 8:43, the private elevator stopped responding.
At 8:44, the emergency lighting activated.
Sophia was upstairs reading Emma a bedtime story.
The little girl wore her yellow raincoat over pajamas.
She had insisted it was her superhero cape.
When the lights flickered, Emma looked up.
“Mommy?”
Sophia held her close.
“It's okay.”
But she wasn't sure.
Downstairs, Alessandro received an alert from the independent security team.
Someone had attempted to access the estate's control system using Vincent's old credentials.
Nicholas activated the emergency procedures.
Staff were directed toward secure areas.
Police were contacted.
Then the front gate opened unexpectedly.
A black vehicle entered the courtyard.
Alessandro watched the security feed.
Three men emerged.
He recognized one of them.
Victor Salerno.
Salerno approached the entrance carrying a briefcase.
He had not come to negotiate.
He had come to finish the plan.
Nicholas instructed the household to remain inside secure rooms while authorities responded.
Upstairs, Sophia heard footsteps in the hallway.
She held Emma tightly.
A voice called through the door.
“Mrs. Delgado?”
Sophia froze.
It was Vincent.
He had returned.
“Open the door,” he said.
Sophia did not move.
Emma whispered:
“Mommy, shiny bird.”
Sophia pressed a finger to her lips.
Vincent tried the handle.
Locked.
He spoke again.
“I'm here to help.”
Sophia stared at the door.
Then Emma whispered something that made her blood run cold.
“That's not the nice voice.”
May you like
Sophia reached for her phone.
And called Alessandro.
