Chapter 8 - The Aftermath
Cameron collapsed onto the thick bedroom carpet, holding Leah tightly against her chest.
The little girl sobbed hysterically, burying her face in Cameron’s shoulder.
Matteo crawled across the floor and wrapped his arms around both of them, weeping openly.
The deafening alarm finally stopped blaring, leaving the penthouse in a chilling, heavy silence.
“You saved her,” Matteo whispered, looking at Cameron with absolute awe.
“You saved my entire family.”
Cameron nodded slowly, her body shaking from the massive adrenaline crash.
Police sirens began wailing in the distance, growing louder as they approached the luxury high-rise.
Matteo stood up and carried Leah out of the freezing bedroom.
He brought them back to the living room where Elena was resting on the sofa.
Elena reached out with trembling arms and pulled her daughter into a desperate embrace.
Cameron watched the broken family reunite, feeling a profound sense of relief.
She had risked her life, but she had done the right thing.
Matteo walked over to his desk and opened a hidden wall safe.
He pulled out a massive stack of bearer bonds and handed them to Cameron.
“This is enough to pay for your mother’s hospital bills and buy a house anywhere in the world,” Matteo said.
“You are a hero, Ms. Jenkins.”
Cameron looked at the fortune in her hands, tears welling in her eyes.
Her mother was finally going to get the life-saving surgery she needed.
The nightmare was completely over.
Then, the private elevator doors chimed and slid open.
A team of heavily armed tactical officers rushed into the penthouse, their weapons drawn.
“Nobody move!” the lead officer commanded.
Matteo stepped forward calmly, raising his hands to show he was unarmed.
“I am Matteo Duca, the owner of this residence.”
“The man who broke in fell off the balcony.”
May you like
The officer ignored Matteo completely and walked directly toward Cameron.
“Cameron Jenkins, you are under arrest for the kidnapping and attempted murder of Leah Duca.”
