Chapter 3
The heavy glass doors of the hotel swung shut behind them, cutting off the suffocating hum of the ballroom and replacing it with the cool, damp night air of the city. Elena walked quickly down the wide concrete steps, her high heels clicking sharply against the pavement. Lily buried her face in the crook of Elena’s neck, her small hands clutching the burgundy fabric of her mother’s dress. Elena spotted their modest sedan parked near the end of the circular drive and let out a long, ragged breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Once they reached the car, she unlocked the doors and carefully strapped Lily into the backseat, wiping away a stray tear from the child’s flushed cheek. "You're safe now, baby," Elena whispered, her voice trembling slightly despite her best efforts to sound strong. She climbed into the driver's seat, her hands shaking as she inserted the key into the ignition. The engine sputtered to life, casting a warm amber glow across the dashboard. Through the rearview mirror, she saw a hotel security guard step outside, looking around as if unsure whether to follow them. Elena put the car in reverse and pulled away from the curb without looking back. She drove the familiar streets in silence, the neon signs of downtown blurring into streaks of red and green through the rain-spotted windshield. The physical confrontation was over, but the questions remained heavy and dark in the air between them.
