Chapter 5 - Tyler’s Mistake
Tyler denied everything.
His attorneys claimed he had visited the hospital for a charitable meeting.
Unfortunately for him, the security camera showed him entering my mother’s room.
Fortunately for him, no camera showed him taking the file.
Not enough for arrest.
Enough to terrify me.
“Why would he want her records?”
Giovanni asked.
“My mother said the Ashfords buried a clinical trial.”
“Then perhaps Tyler knows.”
“He wasn’t even an adult.”
“Family secrets are inherited more efficiently than family businesses.”
Giovanni had a talent for saying disturbing things calmly.
My mother was moved to a restricted floor.
I wanted Giovanni’s people guarding her.
Then hated that I wanted it.
That evening Rebecca called me.
“Hannah.”
“How did you get my number?”
“You worked in my home.”
“Formerly.”
“You have something belonging to my family.”
So she knew.
“What?”
“Don’t play games.”
“I’m hanging up.”
“One hundred eighty thousand dollars.”
I stopped.
Exactly the treatment gap.
“I can have it transferred tonight.”
“In exchange for what?”
“The locket.”
My mother had been right.
“How do you know about it?”
Silence.
Then Rebecca’s voice softened.
“Your mother is dying. Whatever Margaret told you, ask yourself whether old documents matter more than her life.”
I recorded every word.
“You’re offering to save my mother if I give you evidence?”
“I’m offering kindness.”
“No. You’re purchasing silence.”
Her tone changed.
“You’re not as intelligent as you think.”
“Tyler made the same mistake.”
“Hannah—”
I disconnected.
Giovanni listened to the recording.
He did not threaten Rebecca.
He simply forwarded it to an attorney.
“Why aren’t you doing anything?”
“I am.”
“I expected broken furniture.”
“You watch too many movies.”
Then he poured coffee.
“I don’t hurt people because they insult someone I care about.”
Someone I care about.
Neither of us addressed it.
The following morning, Tyler appeared outside Moretti International.
He had no appointment.
Security stopped him.
I watched through the lobby glass.
He pointed at me.
“You think sleeping with Moretti makes you important?”
Giovanni appeared behind me.
Tyler’s courage visibly shrank.
Giovanni did not touch him.
“Hannah works here.”
Tyler laughed.
“She serves drinks.”
“She speaks five languages.”
Tyler looked at me.
That was the moment I understood.
The Ashfords had never researched me.
They had seen a uniform and decided it contained my entire identity.
Tyler stepped closer.
“You have something that belongs to us.”
I met his stare.
“Then sue me.”
He smiled.
“We won’t need to.”
He walked away.
That evening my mother disappeared from the hospital.
No forced entry.
No struggle.
Her bed was empty.
On her pillow was a note.
May you like
Hannah, don’t trust either family.
I’m finishing what I should have finished twenty years ago.
