THE TICKING VEIL

A week after the opening, Gabriel received a formal request for a visitation permit from the Federal Correctional Institution where Elena Vance was serving her preliminary detention awaiting trial.

Against Leo's advice, Gabriel agreed to go.

He sat behind the thick glass partition in the sterile visitation room. When Elena was brought in by a guard, she looked hollowed out. The luxury silk and diamonds were gone, replaced by an ill-fitting beige jumpsuit. Her hair was pulled back plainly, and the arrogance in her eyes had been replaced by a haunting exhaustion.

She picked up the plastic telephone receiver. Gabriel did the same.

"Why did you come?" Elena asked, her voice cracking slightly over the line.

"You asked to see me," Gabriel replied calmly.

Elena looked down at her chained wrists. "I wanted to know... did you ever care about me? Or was it all a business calculation from the start?"

Gabriel paused, looking into the eyes of the woman who had tried to destroy his life. He chose honesty over cruelty.

"I cared about the woman you pretended to be," Gabriel said quietly. "I thought you were strong, compassionate, and brave. But that person didn't exist. You chose to live inside your father's shadow, and you let his poison consume you."

Tears welled in Elena’s eyes and slipped down her pale cheeks. "I was terrified of him, Gabriel. If I failed, he was going to ruin me."

"Marcus was terrified too," Gabriel said gently. "The difference is, Marcus chose to stand up for what was right, even when it cost him his life. You chose to sacrifice an innocent man and an orphan child to save yourself."

Elena let out a ragged breath, nodding slowly as the weight of her choices settled permanently onto her shoulders. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I know it means nothing now... but I am so sorry."

"It means you still have a soul, Elena," Gabriel said softly. "Serve your time. Find out who you are without your father's wealth. Maybe then, you'll find peace."