I nodded through my tears.
I didn’t want to see Maya frightened.
I didn’t want to hear her begging for help.
I wanted her safe.
And I wanted every person responsible to face the consequences.
Adrian called me seventeen times that evening.
I didn’t answer.
Then came the messages.
“Elena, you’re ruining our family.”
“You have no idea what you’ve done.”
“Please answer. I can explain everything.”
The final message arrived at 8:46 p.m.
“Think carefully about what happens to Maya if you keep talking.”
I forwarded it to Detective Hayes.
Twenty minutes later, Adrian sent another.
“I never wanted her hurt.”
I stared at those six words.
Not “I didn’t hurt her.”
Not “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I never wanted her hurt.”
The difference was everything.
My phone rang again.
This time, the caller was unknown.
I answered only after contacting Hayes, who advised me not to engage in a prolonged conversation and to preserve anything sent.
