Chapter 10 - Victoria's Final Confession
Victoria woke in the hospital to the sound of rain against the windows.
For several moments, she didn't know where she was.
Then the pain returned.
The shooting.
Noah.
Gabriel.
The basement.
She turned her head.
Detective Collins sat beside the bed.
“Good morning, Victoria.”
Victoria closed her eyes.
“Am I under arrest?”
“Not yet. You're recovering from surgery.”
Victoria swallowed.
“Is Noah okay?”
“He's safe.”
Tears slid down her cheeks.
“Thank God.”
Collins leaned forward.
“We need to talk about Briarwood.”
Victoria looked toward the ceiling.
“I know.”
“Your involvement.”
“I know.”
“The fertility clinic.”
Victoria's eyes closed.
For years, she had imagined what would happen if the truth emerged.
She had rehearsed excuses.
Blamed Elise.
Blamed Richard.
Blamed circumstances.
But lying had brought her nothing except fear.
And the child she claimed to love had nearly died because of her choices.
“Get me a lawyer,” she whispered.
Collins nodded.
“That's your right.”
Several hours later, with her attorney present, Victoria began giving a recorded statement.
She described how she had met Richard Whitmore through a charitable foundation.
How he had complained about Elise's influence over Gabriel.
How she had become fascinated by the wealthy, grieving young businessman who seemed trapped between his wife and his father.
Then she described the fertility clinic.
Richard had wanted a biological descendant.
Victoria had wanted Gabriel.
Dr. Voss had wanted money.
Together, they had created a plan.
When Elise became pregnant, Victoria initially believed the arrangement would remain secret.
But Elise discovered suspicious financial transactions connected to the clinic.
She began asking questions.
She contacted Rebecca Shaw.
She threatened to expose the fraud.
And Richard decided she had to be silenced.
Victoria admitted helping arrange the false psychiatric evaluation.
She admitted intercepting Elise's calls.
She admitted forging letters.
She admitted taking Noah to Briarwood so Elise could see him through a locked door.
Collins stared at her.
“Why would you do that?”
Victoria began crying.
“Because Elise kept begging to see him. I thought if she saw he was healthy, she'd stop fighting.”
“Did you allow them to touch?”
Victoria shook her head.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Victoria looked down.
“Because I was afraid Noah would reach for her.”
The room fell silent.
Then Collins asked, “Did you know the facility was holding Elise without lawful authorization?”
Victoria nodded.
“Yes.”
“And did you know Richard had arranged the genetic substitution?”
Another nod.
“Yes.”
Collins continued.
“Did Gabriel know?”
“No.”
“Did Elise?”
“No.”
“Did Noah?”
Victoria began sobbing.
“No.”
The detective waited.
When Victoria could speak again, she whispered, “I wanted Gabriel to need me. I thought if Elise disappeared, I could become everything she had been.”
Collins's expression remained serious.
“And was it worth it?”
Victoria looked toward the window.
“No.”
Later that afternoon, Gabriel entered her hospital room.
He stood near the doorway.
Victoria looked at him.
“I heard you know.”
He nodded.
“All of it?”
“Enough.”
She began crying.
“Gabriel, I'm sorry.”
He remained silent.
“I loved you.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“You loved having me.”
The words struck her.
He continued.
“You wanted my life. My name. My son. You didn't care what happened to Elise as long as you got what you wanted.”
Victoria lowered her head.
“I know.”
Gabriel's voice trembled.
“You watched Noah grow up believing his mother abandoned him.”
Victoria covered her face.
“I know.”
“You heard him ask why she didn't love him.”
“Please…”
“And you sang Elise's lullaby to him.”
Victoria sobbed.
“I thought it would comfort him.”
Gabriel shook his head.
“You took the only thing he remembered of her and made it yours.”
Victoria could not answer.
For a long moment, Gabriel watched her.
Then he spoke quietly.
“I'm filing for divorce.”
Victoria nodded.
“I understand.”
“You'll have to answer for what you've done.”
“I know.”
He turned toward the door.
“Gabriel?”
He stopped.
“Please tell Noah I love him.”
Gabriel looked back.
“I'll tell him you asked about him. But I won't ask him to carry your guilt.”
Victoria began crying again.
Gabriel left.
In the hallway, Detective Collins approached.
“We have a problem.”
Gabriel stopped.
“What?”
“Richard Whitmore has crossed into Canada.”
Gabriel felt his stomach tighten.
“Can you bring him back?”
“We're working with federal authorities.”
Collins hesitated.
“But there's something else.”
“What?”
“Dr. Voss has been found.”
“Where?”
“In a private residence outside Boston.”
“Is he cooperating?”
Collins's expression darkened.
“He's dead.”
Gabriel stared at her.
May you like
Then she added:
“And someone left a photograph of Noah beside his body.”
