Chapter 4
Vivian laughed, though it sounded hollow.
"You can't prove anything," she said. "He has no papers. No birth certificate with your name. Mara is his mother on every record."
Elena pulled a folded document from her purse.
"Do you remember this?"
Vivian paled.
It was the original birth certificate. Signed by Elena. Witnessed by Mara.
"I kept a copy," Elena said. "Always. Just in case."
She turned to Leo.
"Come with me, Leo. Please. I won't let them hurt you anymore."
Leo looked up at Mara.
"Can Mom Mara come too?"
Elena’s heart ached.
"She can come wherever she wants," she said. "You decide."
Leo squeezed Mara’s hand.
"Then let's all go."
Elena led them toward the door.
Richard stepped in their path.
"You're not leaving," he said. "This is our house."
"This is my house too," Elena said. "Our parents left it to me as well. And I will have you both removed by sunset if you stand in my way."
She pulled out her phone again.
"Security," she said into the device. "Come to the main hall immediately."
Two uniformed men appeared at the door.
"Escort my brother-in-law and sister out," Elena said calmly. "And see that none of them return until we have settled this legally."
Vivian screamed. Cursed. Threatened.
But the guards led them away.
Ethan stood watching, face white, cake still on his shirt.
Elena paused beside him.
"You treated my son like a servant," she said. "You laughed at him. You humiliated him. Remember this day, Ethan. And remember who you truly are."
She walked out.
Into the warm afternoon sun.
Leo walked between her and Mara.
No one said a word until they reached the car.
Elena opened the door. Helped Leo inside.
Then she looked at Mara.
"Thank you," she whispered. "For protecting him. For loving him. For keeping him alive."
Mara broke down crying.
"I was so afraid," she said. "Afraid they would take him back. Afraid they would hurt him. I did the only thing I knew how."
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Elena hugged her.
"You did wonderfully," she said. "And now... we are together. All three of us."
