Mya’s arms crossed tightly over her chest, her stance determined. “You were told you need approval to come in here.”
“No offense, ma’am,” he replied with an edge in his tone, “but I don’t need anyone’s permission to do my job.” He moved further inside, and Mya followed him, her eyes narrowed as if ready to pounce.
“Step aside, or I’ll have to arrest you for obstructing an investigation,” he warned.
“Mya, it’s okay,” I interjected.
She shot me a fierce glare. “No. Nico and your father don’t want anyone in here who isn’t on the approved visitor list.”
“It really is fine,” I insisted. Just as she prepared to argue further, I raised my hand to stop her.
“Seriously, it’s okay”.
With a reluctant nod, she turned to Aurelio. “Come on, baby, we’re going to eat in the room down the hall while Gigi talks to this man, okay?”
“Okay!” both kids shouted, jumping down and darting out of the room.
Tabi collected her belongings, throwing me a reassuring smile as she headed for the door. “We won’t be far,” she promised.
Mya shot one final look my way. “I’ll be back.”
As she brushed past Stone, she added pointedly, “Five minutes,” before disappearing, leaving me alone with the detective.
Stone gestured toward the chair next to the table where Tabi had just sat. “May I?” he asked.
“Sure,” I replied.
Once settled into the chair, he took out a notepad and a pen. “I know you’ve been through a lot,” he began, his voice steady yet gentle, “but I need to ask you some questions.”
I nodded slowly, my heart racing. “I understand.”
Stone leaned forward, eyes locked onto mine. “Tell me what happened from the beginning.”
I took a deep breath, the IV in my hand starting to itch. I grimaced, the words barely escaping my lips. “I don't remember.”
His eyes narrowed, skepticism flickering across his face, but he continued. “Okay. Let’s talk about when you woke up in the grave.”
A shudder ran through me at the memory of that suffocating darkness, the panic of almost dying.
“Did you see his or her face?” Stone pressed, leaning in closer. “Any distinguishing features?”
“No. It all happened so fast.”
“Was there more than one person?”
I shrugged, feeling helpless. “I think so. But I couldn’t see them.”
“What happened to you before being buried?” Stone asked. “According to the doctor, you sustained significant injuries, including a miscarriage.”
My throat tightened, tears welling in my eyes. I couldn’t tell him anything—not when I knew that Nico and his family, including my father, would be implicated. I bit my lip, wishing I knew what they had told him to make sure my story lined up with theirs.
“Do you know who killed Nico’s mother?” he asked.
My head shot up, the words hitting me like a physical blow. “Wh-what?” I stammered. “Serafina is dead?” Why hadn’t anyone told me? I wondered why she hadn’t come to see me. “What happened to her?” I cried.
She had always believed in me and trusted that I would never betray Nico, and it pained me deeply to think she was no longer here. I would never forget the fierce determination in her eyes to give her son a good swift kick in the ass for keeping me in the basement.
Before he could respond, the door flew open with a loud bang, slamming against the wall.
