Chapter 11 - Unraveling the Lies
Paramedics rushed forward, gently taking Noah from Maya's arms.
The little boy whimpered softly until Maya squeezed his small hand. "I'm right here, Noah. They're going to help you."
As the medical team wrapped Noah in a warm blanket and placed him on the stretcher, an officer stepped up to Celeste, pulling her arms behind her back.
"Celeste Hawthorne," the officer declared, snapping cold steel handcuffs around her manicured wrists. "You are under arrest for child endangerment, unlawful restraint, and suspected poisoning."
"This is an outrage!" Celeste shrieked, struggling wildly against the officer's grip. "Do you know who I am?! My father built this town!"
Her diamonds rattled against her neck as she was marched down the corridor, past her horrified charity donors who were peering through the ballroom doors.
The elegant facade she had spent years building vanished in a matter of seconds, leaving behind only a bitter, exposed criminal.
Jonathan fell to his knees beside the stretcher, tears streaming down his face as he took Noah’s small hand in his own.
"Noah... I'm so sorry," Jonathan sobbed openly, burying his face against the blanket. "I'm so, so sorry I didn't see it. I failed you."
Noah looked at his father with tired, hollow eyes.
Slowly, the little boy reached out his small thumb, brushing a tear from Jonathan's cheek.
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"Is Mom's house safe now?" Noah whispered softly.
Jonathan broke down completely, weeping into his son's cold hands.
