“Is she with the same man?”
“I believe so. They walked through the lobby together and took the elevator.”
“Do you know where they went?”
“The fourth floor.”
My hands began to shake.
This was the opportunity I had been waiting for, but now that it had arrived, I was terrified.
“What room?” I asked.
Daniella gave me the number after quietly checking with a coworker.
I thanked her and ended the call.
For a moment, I stood alone in my kitchen, staring at the phone.
I could have gone by myself.
I could have confronted Victoria, taken a photograph, or demanded an explanation.
But I knew none of that would be enough.
Ethan needed to see the truth with his own eyes. Otherwise, Victoria might find another way to explain it away.
I called him.
“Hi, Mom,” he answered cheerfully. “Everything okay?”
I hated that I was about to deceive him, even briefly.
“Could you drive me into the city?”
“Now?”
“Yes. I need to stop somewhere urgently.”
He must have heard the strain in my voice because he did not ask many questions.
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
The journey downtown felt endless.
Ethan talked about work while I stared through the passenger window. Buildings and traffic lights passed in a blur. I barely heard what he was saying.
Several times, I almost told him everything.
But I was afraid he would refuse to continue. He might call Victoria and warn her. He might insist that there had been a misunderstanding.
So I remained quiet.
Eventually, he glanced at me.
“You seem nervous.”
“I’m just tired.”
He looked unconvinced but kept driving.
When we reached the city center, I guided him toward the hotel.
He frowned when he saw the building.
“I thought you needed to go to a pharmacy.”
“Please park here.”
“Mom, what’s going on?”
“You’ll understand soon.”
Confusion filled his face, but he followed me inside.
The hotel lobby was elegant and bright. Fresh flowers stood on a polished table, and soft music played somewhere near the restaurant.
Under different circumstances, it might have felt peaceful.
To me, it felt like the entrance to a life-changing moment.
Ethan stayed close behind me.
“Are we meeting someone?”
I pressed the elevator button.
“Just come with me.”
The doors opened, and we stepped inside.
Neither of us spoke as the elevator climbed.
With every passing floor, my breathing became more difficult.
When the doors opened on the fourth level, we entered a long, softly lit corridor. Our footsteps disappeared into the thick carpet.
Ethan finally stopped.
“Mom, tell me why we’re here.”
I turned toward him.
The trust in his eyes nearly broke me.
“Ethan,” I said quietly, “I believe Victoria is in one of these rooms.”
His expression tightened.
“What are you talking about?”
“She isn’t alone.”
For a moment, he simply stared at me.
