There, cowering behind a bank of monitors, was my husband.

He looked nothing like the arrogant man who had struck me down hours ago.

He was pathetic, trembling as I leveled my weapon at his chest.

"Where is she?" I demanded, my voice cutting through the ringing in my ears.

He held up his hands in surrender, tears streaming down his bruised face.

"I didn't know they were going to take her, I swear," he pleaded desperately.

I fired a single shot into his kneecap.

Chapter 12 - THE MOTHER'S BARGAIN.

"She took her!" he sobbed, clutching his shattered leg.

"Your mother took her to the underground vault."

I turned away from him in disgust, leaving him for my father's men to clean up.

I sprinted down the narrow corridor leading to the subterranean levels.

The air grew colder the deeper I went.

I reached the heavy vault door, inputting the override code my father had provided.

Chapter 13 - THE VAULT.

The vault was lavishly furnished, a stark contrast to the industrial facility above.

My mother sat in a plush armchair, sipping a glass of amber liquid.

She looked up as I entered, her expression perfectly composed.

It was the same terrifyingly calm face I had seen in the security footage.

"You always were so dramatic, Elena," she sighed, setting her glass down.

I kept my gun aimed squarely at her heart.