Chapter Seven

Elena's eyelids opened slowly, groggily taking in her surroundings. She lay on a hospital bed, surrounded by the smell of antiseptics, drugs and the soft beeping of machines. As she tried to lift her hand, she felt a pain and a cold metal digging into her wrist. Her gaze followed the handcuff chained to the bed rail.

Her father and brother stood beside her, their faces filled with concern."Elena, thank God you are awake!" her father exclaimed, his voice trembling.

Her brother rushed to press the call button."Doctor, she's awake!"

Elena began to wonder how she ended up here. The last place she was in her ex-husband's office." W... what happened?" she stammered."How is my baby?" her voice barely audible.

The doctor burst in, a warm smile on his face."Welcome back, Elena."

Elena's voice trembled as she asked, "My baby? How's my baby?"

The room fell silent, her family's faces filled with sorrow. The doctor's eyes dropped, his expression sombre.

Elena's heart raced, her mind pleading for a positive answer.

"I 'm sorry, Elena."He said softly."You lost the baby."

"No!" her voice echoing off the hospital walls."No, no, no!"

Tears streamed down her face. Her family tried to comfort her, but Elena's grief was too raw.

"Damn you, Alan. You've taken everything from me! My reputation, my freedom, now my child! You'll pay for this, you monster."

She thrashed against the bed, her handcuffs clanking against the rail.

"I hate you, Alan! I hate you for ruining my life! You're a coward, a fraud, and a murderer. I'll never forgive you!Never!"

She looked up and saw her dad. Tears still streaming down her cheeks.

"Daddy, I don't want to go to prison, you are one of the most powerful people in the world. Daddy, you know I won't commit fraud. "She held her dad's hands firmly.

"I know love. Alan is behind all this. I need you to be strong. I will get you out of the prison in the next three months. I promise."

Elena was dumbfounded."Three... months. Why do I need to go there?"

"Your signatures were found on it. It's an international case, but I promise you will be out soon. Just hang in there for Daddy."

The door burst open, and two police officers walked in, their faces stern."Elena Wellington, you'll come with us for questioning at the investigation office."one of them announced, his voice firm.

Elena's eyes widened in shock as they removed the hospital handcuffs and pulled her arms behind her back. The cold metal closed around her wrist once more, this time with a harsher grip which made her shout in pain.

Elena's father rushed forward, his eyes pleading."Officers, please! She's just lost her baby. Have mercy! Loosen the handcuffs, they are too tight."

He reached out, his hands grasping the handcuffs, as if trying to ease her discomfort."She's hurt. Don't make her suffer more."

His voice cracked with emotion, his face etched with sorrow. "She's my daughter, my child. Show some compassion."

The officers paused, their expressions softening lightly. One of them hesitated, then reached for the handcuffs, loosening them slightly. Elena's father nodded, his eyes welled up in tears.

Elena's father placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, his eyes filled with tears."You're strong, Elena. You'll get through this. Tell the truth and don't let them intimidate you."

Lucas, her brother stepped forward, his voice firm."Yeah, sis, you've done nothing wrong. Don't let them make you feel like you have. We're here for you, no matter what."

He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a warm hug."You're not alone, Elena."

With a deep breath, Elena nodded as she walked out of the room accompanied by the officers.

**********

Breaking news...

"Good evening, I'm your anchor Abigail Shane. We have a developing story for you Elena, the ex-wife of the CEO of the Luminaries company who was declared wanted has been found. She has just arrived at the investigation office to give her statement. Our reporters are live on the scene, and we're going to take you straight to them. Let's go straight to the field and meet Sarah."

"Thanks, John. I'm here outside the investigation office where Elena Wellington has just arrived. Let's go live as she steps out of the vehicle."

Elena stepped out of the car, wearing a mask, accompanied by two officers she was handcuffed.

"Elena, can you comment on the allegations against you?"Sarah asked.

The officers shield her away from the throng of reporters as they make their way into the investigation office.

Elena stepped into the investigation room, her mask gleaming in the light. The prosecutor, a stern-looking woman with a piercing gaze, gestured for her to take a seat.

"Elena, please state your full name and occupation for the record," the prosecutor began, her voice firm but detached.

Elena's voice was steady, her words clear: Elena Wellington, ex-wife to CEO of Luminaries company.

The prosecutor nodded, her eyes scanning in front of her."So, Elena, you're aware of the allegations against you. How do you respond to these charges?"

Elena's hands remained still in her lap, her eyes fixed on the prosecutor."I understand the allegations, but I assure you, I am innocent. I have done nothing illegal."

The prosecutor raised an eyebrow."Really? Then perhaps you need to explain these financial records." she dropped a file on the table to face Elena.

"Those transactions weren't mine. I was blackmailed by my husband."

The prosecutor's gaze narrowed."We'll verify that. Meanwhile, can you explain your relationship with Alan, your ex-husband?"

Elena's voice moved quickly, her voice measured."We were married, but our relationship ended when he cheated on me. He's been trying to bring me down since then."

The prosecutor's eyes locked onto Elena's her tone firm."We'll investigate that, too."

Elena's hands rose slowly to her face, her fingers grasping the edges of the mask that had hidden her expression for so long. She pulled it off, revealing her pale face.

The investigator's gaze met hers."Elena based on your cooperation and the evidence presented. You will be going on trial."

Elena's eyes widened, her lips parting slightly as she absorbed the words.