Chapter 8 - THE NIGHT DONOVAN CAME BACK
Donovan returned to the estate on a stormy Friday evening.
He was no longer authorized to enter.
But one of the guards at the rear gate had worked for him for years.
The guard let him through.
Fay was in the laundry room when she saw him.
Her blood turned cold.
Donovan stood near the doorway.
His face was pale.
His eyes were furious.
“You.”
Fay stepped backward.
He smiled.
“Thought you could ruin me?”
She looked toward the emergency exit.
“Leave.”
He laughed.
“You think Vincent can protect you forever?”
Fay reached for her phone.
Donovan stepped closer.
“Put it down.”
She didn't.
He moved toward her.
Fay pressed the emergency alarm.
A piercing siren filled the corridor.
Donovan froze.
Then grabbed her wrist.
Fay pulled away.
He stumbled against a laundry cart.
Security guards appeared seconds later.
“Hands where we can see them!”
Donovan turned.
For a moment, Fay thought he would fight.
Instead, he raised his hands.
The guards restrained him until police arrived.
Fay stood shaking.
Mrs. Alvarez rushed toward her.
“Are you hurt?”
Fay shook her head.
“No.”
Vincent arrived moments later.
He looked at Donovan.
Then at Fay.
“Are you safe?”
She nodded.
“Yes.”
He exhaled.
Then turned toward Elias.
“How did he get inside?”
Elias looked grim.
“We're investigating.”
Vincent nodded.
“Preserve the access logs.”
Then he looked back at Fay.
She was trembling.
He approached slowly.
“Would you like to leave the estate tonight?”
Fay stared.
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“Then we'll help you arrange that.”
She looked surprised.
“You're not going to stop me?”
Vincent's expression softened.
“No.”
He paused.
“Fay, protecting you doesn't mean keeping you here.”
May you like
Her eyes filled.
And for the first time, she understood the difference.
