Love Denied Ch 11

Chapter 11
Beneath the Surface
The sterile smell of the hospital was the last thing Elena
expected to encounter as she stepped into the lobby. Her
heart was racing, and the pit in her stomach seemed to
deepen with every step she took.
She reached the elevator just as the doors opened, revealing
a concerned-looking nurse.
“Ms. Carter,” the nurse said gently. “Your mother’s
condition has worsened.”
Elena’s breath caught in her throat. “What do you mean?”
“We are doing everything we can,” the nurse continued, “but
it would be best if you came quickly.”
Elena nodded, her mind racing. The last few months had
been chaotic, but her mother’s health had always been
something she could rely on. This… this was different.
She rushed down the corridor, her heels clicking against the
floor in rhythm with her pounding heart. The door to her
mother’s room was already open, and Elena stepped inside,
her eyes immediately locking with her mother’s frail form.
Her mother, once a strong, vibrant woman, was now pale and
frail, connected to tubes and machines.
“Mom,” Elena whispered, sitting beside her.
Her mother’s eyes fluttered open. “Elena, darling…” her
voice was weak, but there was still a glimmer of recognition.
“I’m here, Mom. I’m not going anywhere.” Elena gently
took her mother’s hand, squeezing it softly.
“Ryan,” her mother murmured, her voice barely audible.
“He… he’s the one…”
Elena’s brow furrowed. “What about Ryan?”
Her mother’s breathing became more erratic, and Elena felt
a sudden cold sweat break out on her skin. “He’s behind this,
Elena. You need to protect yourself… protect Isabelle…”
Elena’s world seemed to freeze as the words echoed in her
mind. Was her mother implying that Ryan had orchestrated
more than just the scandal with Isabelle? Had he gone so far
as to target her mother’s health?
“Mom, please,” Elena said, her voice breaking. “You need to
rest.”
Her mother’s hand went limp in Elena’s grip.
“Mom?!” Elena shouted, panic rising in her chest.
A nurse rushed in, checking her mother’s vitals, but it was
too late. Elena’s worst fear had just been realized.
Her mother was gone.
Ryan’s True Agenda
Ryan leaned back in his chair, staring out at the city through
the large windows of his penthouse. He hadn’t anticipated
Elena would react so strongly. He had expected her to lash
out at the media, maybe throw money at the problem, but
this—this was different.
Nathan entered, holding a stack of papers. “The Carter
family is spiraling.”
Ryan’s lips curled into a satisfied grin. “Good. Let them. But
we need to press harder. Elena will be distracted now.”
Nathan looked concerned. “What if she retaliates in a way
we don’t expect? You know she’s capable.”
Ryan stood, walking over to the window. “Then we use her
grief against her. The one thing she cares about most is
family. If we can break her heart, we can break her will.”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed. “You are playing a dangerous
game, Ryan.”
Ryan turned to him, his expression cold. “I’ve always played
dangerous games.”
He picked up his phone and sent a quick message to his top
lawyer.
Make sure the hospital records disappear.
He knew Elena would suspect him soon, but by the time she
put the pieces together, it would be too late.
Ryan had set the perfect trap, and Elena had just walked right
into it.
The Fallout
Elena’s mind was a whirlwind of disbelief and fury. She had
barely processed the news of her mother’s death when her
phone buzzed again. This time, it was a message from
Daniel.
Elena, I’ve got something important. Meet me at the office.
She wiped away her tears, a surge of determination rising
within her. She couldn’t afford to let herself break now. Not
when everything was falling apart.
She left the hospital, the weight of her grief heavy on her
shoulders, but she was determined to press forward.
When she reached the office, Daniel was waiting, looking
more serious than she had ever seen him.
“Elena, there’s something you need to know,” he began.
“Ryan wasn’t just after Isabelle. He’s been orchestrating
things behind the scenes for months—your mother’s health,
the financial hits, everything. He’s been playing the long
game.”
Elena’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know all this?”
“I’ve been doing some digging,” Daniel said. “Ryan’s
lawyers have been tampering with records. They’ve been
planting evidence and orchestrating medical reports.”
Elena felt the rage rise within her, but she suppressed it.
“Where is the proof?”
Daniel handed her a file. “It’s all here. Ryan’s fingerprints
are all over it. You can take him down, Elena.”
Elena glanced at the documents. The proof was irrefutable.
She would expose Ryan for the monster he truly was. But in
the back of her mind, one thought lingered.
Her mother had warned her.
And now, Elena would make sure Ryan paid for everything
he had done.