Chapter 2: Blood Money
Elena's POV
"It wasn't me! I didn't hurt her!"
I bolted upright. Cold sweat glued my ratty T-shirt to my skin. Mrs. Gables' words from yesterday pounded in my skull.
My little boy, fighting for every breath while I rotted here. No way. He wasn't dying. Not on my watch.
By noon, I was staking out the Vane Corporation tower like a desperate stalker. The security guards clocked me instantly—their smirks screamed, "Psycho ex-wife alert."
I didn't care. I pulled my ripped jacket tight and waited.
Julian's sleek black Bentley purred up to the curb. He stepped out in his tailored charcoal suit, all polished and untouchable.
"Jesus Christ," he muttered, not breaking stride. "What now? How much this time?"
"Two million," I said, voice steadier than my nerves.
"Two million?" He barked a laugh, cold as ice. "Elena, babe, what makes you think you're worth that?"
"Our son's dying!" The words ripped out. "Julian, Elian's got kidney failure!"
"I know," he said, low and even. "The little shit doesn't deserve to live anyway."
"What about Vanessa?" I fired back. "Is she worth two million?"
That hit home. He spun around, eyes blazing, closing in with three long strides. His hand clamped my chin, fingers digging like vices.
"You threatening me, you crazy bitch?"
"I'll take Elian and vanish," I gasped through the pain. "Give me the money, and we're gone from Gray City. For good."
His thumb pressed my pulse, feeling it race. For a split second, I thought he'd choke me right there on the sidewalk.
"I should've left you rotting in that cell," he hissed, breath hot on my ear. "Knew you'd never change."
He shoved me back hard, and I stumbled.
"Tomorrow night. Gray Hotel, penthouse. Come alone."
"Elian's gonna be okay," I told Mrs. Gables that evening, forcing a bright tone. "I got the money. He's gonna pull through."
She eyed my puffy, red-rimmed eyes with concern. "Elena, honey, you been crying?"
"Happy tears," I lied, swiping at my face. Stop being such a crybaby, I told myself. This is good news. Why the hell are you bawling?
Because tomorrow, I'd be crawling back to Julian, begging on my knees. Because I knew exactly what he'd demand for that cash. Because I'd been fooling myself that I'd ever truly escaped him.
"Things get better, sweetie," Mrs. Gables said softly, patting my shoulder.
I nodded and faked a smile, but inside, I was already dreading the clock.
In the Gray Hotel penthouse, Julian lounged on the leather sofa like a king, whiskey tumbler in hand, legs sprawled wide.
"Strip," he ordered, not even glancing up. "Everything. Now."
I pictured Elian's pale face, the two million that could save him.
Clothes hit the floor. Then my bra and panties.
His gaze raked over me, slow and possessive. "On your knees."
I sank down between his thighs, knees digging into the rug. He unzipped, already rock-hard, his cock springing free—thick, veined.
I opened my mouth, taking him in, the salty taste filling me as he groaned. His fingers twisted in my hair, yanking me deeper, controlling every thrust. I gagged, tears streaming, but I didn't pull away. His hips bucked, forcing himself down my throat.
"Good girl," he growled, voice rough with lust. "This is what you're for, Elena. Sucking cock like the slut you are."
When he'd had enough of my mouth, he hauled me up and bent me over the couch arm, my ass in the air. He slammed into me from behind, rough and unrelenting, his hands gripping my hips hard enough to leave marks.
I squeezed my eyes shut and took it all, because tomorrow, my son would live.
I woke alone, body throbbing—sore throat, aching core, bruises blooming everywhere. Sunlight poured in, and my phone buzzed: $2,000,000 deposited. Business done.
I threw on yesterday's clothes and bolted from the hotel.
On the street, stares followed. A pair of teen girls pointed, whispering, one snapping a pic.
In a shop window reflection, I saw it: purple hickeys ringing my neck like a collar, hair a tangled wreck, clothes rumpled and stained.
I looked like what I was—a whore who'd just earned her keep.
"I'm here to take you home," I whispered to Elian, dropping to his level. "I'm your mommy, kiddo."
Before he could answer, a pack of older kids burst out laughing, pointing.
"Look! The porn star's back!"
"Elian's stuck with the porn lady!"
"I saw the video! She's all naked and—"
"SHUT UP!" Elian yelled, face flushing crimson. He shoved me hard, sending me sprawling. "My mommy's not a porn star! You're liars!"
My blood froze. Video? What the hell?
Hands shaking, I yanked out my phone and searched my name. Bile rose as the hits poured in—me on every trashy site, naked pics, clips from that hotel room. Just me, exposed in every humiliating angle. Julian's face? Nowhere.
I dialed him, fingers trembling.
"You did this," I whispered when he picked up.
"This is your real worth, Elena. This is what you've always been."
"Why?" It came out a broken sob.
"So you'll get the fuck out of Gray City and stay gone. No one's gonna see you as anything but a slut now."
Then he hung up.
"Elena! Elena!" Mrs. Gables rushed up from the home's entrance, face ashen, panting. "I'm so sorry—I just got off the phone with the board. With all this media crap... they say you can't adopt. It's off."
"But—"
She shook her head. "After what's online, no judge would approve the custody."
"I get it." The words cut like shards.
I pressed the bank card into her hand. "For Elian. His care, everything. Just... look after him. Please."
She nodded, eyes misty. "What about you?"
I stole one last glance at my boy through the window.
"Gotta leave town."
Gray City Airport felt like a graveyard at midnight. I slumped in the departure lounge. Didn't matter where I flew—I'd always be Elena Cross, the ex-con porn star who lost her kid.
At least Elian would survive. That's what counted. That's what I kept telling myself.
My phone buzzed.
"Elena! Thank God!" Mrs. Gables sounded frantic, out of breath. "Something's wrong. Get back here now."
"What? What's happening?"
"It's Elian. He's in acute kidney failure, and there's no matching transplant available. The doctors... they don't think he'll make it through the days."
