Chapter 49
Victoria arrived home, kicking off her heels with a sigh of relief. The day had been relentless, and she was desperate for a distraction from the constant pressure of work and the looming threat of Xanos. She had already decided that tonight, she and Elena would take a break from all the chaos and focus on decorating the baby room.
As she walked into the kitchen, she found Elena rummaging through the fridge, holding a tub of ice cream in one hand and a spoon in the other.
“Really?” Victoria asked, crossing her arms. “Ice cream for dinner?”
Elena grinned unapologetically. “Look, I’m here for moral support, not culinary expertise. Plus, it’s not like you were about to whip up a five-course meal after the day you’ve had.”
Victoria laughed, shaking her head. “Fair point. But we’re decorating the nursery tonight, so you better bring some energy.”
Elena’s eyes lit up. “Finally! I’ve been waiting for this. I hope you’re ready for my impeccable taste.”
“Oh no,” Victoria groaned. “Last time you said that, we ended up with glitter all over the living room.”
“That glitter was artistic flair,” Elena said, grabbing the ice cream and following Victoria upstairs.
The baby room was still a blank canvas—soft gray walls, natural light streaming through the windows, and boxes of unassembled furniture scattered around. Elena immediately got to work unpacking, her enthusiasm contagious.
“So,” Elena began, holding up a pastel pink throw pillow. “Let’s talk about that giant rock on your finger.”
Victoria glanced at her engagement ring, a warm smile tugging at her lips. “What about it?”
“Oh, don’t play coy,” Elena teased. “You’re practically glowing, and I’m not just talking about the pregnancy. Zayden Huntington knows how to seal the deal, doesn’t he?”
Victoria laughed, picking up a small framed print that read Dream Big, Little One. “It’s… surreal. I didn’t think I’d ever feel this happy again. He’s been so good to me, Elena.”
“I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first,” Elena said, tossing a fluffy pink blanket onto the glider chair. “But the guy’s smitten. And let’s face it, he’s way better than that snake Damian.”
“Don’t even say his name,” Victoria said, rolling her eyes. “This is a no-Damian zone tonight.”
“Fine, fine,” Elena said, holding up her hands in mock surrender. “Let’s focus on the nursery. What do you think about putting the crib here by the window?”
Victoria tilted her head, considering the suggestion. “I like it. She’ll get plenty of natural light, and we can add some sheer curtains for a soft look.”
As they worked, the room slowly came together—fluffy rugs, a bookshelf filled with colorful picture books, and a mobile with delicate stars and clouds. The space began to feel warm and inviting, a haven for the little girl they were all so excited to meet.
“Okay, this is officially adorable,” Elena declared, stepping back to admire their handiwork. “You’ve outdone yourself, Tori.”
Victoria smiled, placing a tiny stuffed giraffe on the rocking chair. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Damn right,” Elena said, grinning. “Now, let’s take a break before I start sobbing over how cute this is.”
They headed downstairs to the living room, where Victoria turned on the TV for some background noise while she prepared a quick dinner. The news anchor’s voice filled the room, but it wasn’t until Elena gasped that Victoria realized something was wrong.
“Turn it up,” Elena said, her tone urgent.
Victoria grabbed the remote, increasing the volume. The headline on the screen made her stomach drop: “Prison Transport Ambushed: Selena Kane Dead, Damian Blackwood Missing.”
The anchor’s voice was steady as she relayed the shocking news. “Earlier today, a prison transport vehicle carrying Damian Blackwood and Selena Kane was involved in a fatal collision. Authorities confirm that a car struck the transport vehicle at high speed, causing it to overturn. Selena Kane sustained critical injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Damian Blackwood’s whereabouts remain unknown, and a manhunt is currently underway.”
Victoria stared at the screen, her heart racing. “This can’t be happening.”
Elena grabbed her arm, her face pale. “Did I just hear that right? Damian escaped? And Selena—she’s… dead?”
Victoria sank onto the couch, her mind racing. The image of Selena’s face flashed across the screen, followed by footage of the crumpled transport vehicle. “This has to be connected to Xanos,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s too coordinated to be random.”
Elena nodded, her expression grim. “Xanos has to be behind this. They’ve been pulling strings all along.”
The news report continued, showing authorities cordoning off the scene and searching nearby areas for any sign of Damian. “The escape appears to have been carefully planned,” the anchor said. “Investigators are now questioning whether this ambush was orchestrated by an outside party.”
Victoria’s phone buzzed on the coffee table, breaking her daze. She grabbed it quickly, half-expecting another taunting message from Xanos. Instead, it was a text from Tobias: “I just saw the news. You okay? Stay alert.”
She typed back quickly: “I’m fine, but this changes everything. Let’s meet first thing tomorrow.”
Elena leaned forward, her voice tight with concern. “What do we do now?”
Victoria clenched her jaw, the weight of the situation settling over her. “We don’t panic. Selena’s gone, but Damian’s still out there. We need to assume he’ll try to come back—whether for revenge or to tie up loose ends.”
Elena’s eyes narrowed. “You think he’s coming for you?”
Victoria exhaled shakily. “I don’t know. But we’re not taking any chances.”
Elena nodded firmly. “Then let’s lock this place down. No one gets near you or the baby. Not Damian, not Xanos—no one.”
