Chapter 3 - Chapter 3

"Are you hurt?"Gilbert still held Cherry's elbow. She shook her head and gently pulled away."I want to go to the lobby," she said. "With the hotel staff."He studied her pale face, then glanced at the manager and security officer beside them."Fine."The elevator doors were open. Gilbert turned to the manager."Please preserve the security footage from this floor. We also need to know who directed her to that room.""Yes, Mister Carter."Cherry entered the elevator with the manager. Gilbert and Liam followed, and the security officer stayed near the open doors.For the first time since hearing Benjamin's voice, Cherry allowed herself a quiet breath.Then Gilbert spoke."You knew my grandmother before you met me."She looked at him. "Yes.""Through the volunteer center?""Yes."His gaze stayed on her face."Did you approach her on purpose?"Cherry stared at him. Only moments ago, he had stood between her and Benjamin. She had barely begun to feel safe."No. I never tried to use your grandmother.""Liam's report says you knew things about my family before you met her.""That isn't true."Cherry tightened her grip on her bag."I helped at the volunteer center. Your grandmother was kind to me, and we became close. I didn't go there because of your family.""You understand why I'm asking.""I understand that you have questions." She held his gaze despite the hurt in her chest. "But a report doesn't mean I did it. Check what happened."Gilbert was silent for a moment."Then we'll check."He turned to Liam."Verify the dates of her first contact with Grandma. Start with the volunteer records we can obtain and the messages available to us.""Yes, sir."Gilbert looked back at Cherry."Until this is settled, stay away from my family."She lowered her eyes briefly. Mathilde had treated her like family long before she became Gilbert's wife."I understand," she said. Then she looked up. "But I won't admit to something I didn't do."Gilbert said nothing.The doors began to close."Brother Gilbert!"Benjamin hurried toward the elevator. Gilbert pressed the button to hold the doors open."Mister Scott."Benjamin stopped outside, trying to catch his breath."I was only helping.""With what?""She's involved in a financial agreement with my family.""No, I'm not," Cherry said.Gilbert looked at him. "Show me."Benjamin brought out his phone."Her mother signed it. One hundred thousand pesos."Cherry watched Gilbert read the photograph of the document."I never agreed to anything," she said."Your mother did," Benjamin replied."You still haven't explained what she agreed to or why you think it involves me."Gilbert looked up from the phone."We'll discuss this in the public lounge, with staff present."He turned to the manager."Please keep a record of any documents Mister Scott provides. Security should stay with us."Benjamin frowned."Brother Gilbert, there's no need to make this so serious.""You brought her to a private room over an agreement she says she knows nothing about," Gilbert said. "You can explain it downstairs."Benjamin's mouth tightened, but he stepped into the elevator with the security officer.Cherry moved closer to the manager.She still did not know where Luke was. Her mother had not given her a clear explanation, and now Gilbert suspected she had used his grandmother.She wanted answers, but with Benjamin beside her, she was grateful for the few quiet moments before they reached the lobby.They left the elevator and headed toward the public lounge."She's lying," Benjamin said.Cherry stopped."She only married you to get access to your family."Gilbert turned toward her.Her chest tightened. Benjamin had no proof, but his accusation was close to the suspicion Gilbert had already raised."I didn't," she said. "And saying it again doesn't make it true."Her phone buzzed before Gilbert could respond.Cherry looked down.The message was from an unknown number.We are not finished, Cherry Blaire.A second message appeared.Meet me, or your mother will regret it.Cherry stopped walking.Then a photograph arrived.Her mother stood outside their house, unaware of the camera pointed at her. Cherry recognized the clothes she was wearing that day.Her fingers tightened around the phone.The threat was no longer just words. Whoever had sent it knew where her mother lived and had been close enough to photograph her."Cherry?"Gilbert's voice drew her eyes from the screen."What is it?"She glanced around. Guests moved through the lobby, and hotel staff stood nearby. Nothing she could see told her who had sent the messages."I don't know who this is," she said. "But they're threatening my mother.""Show me."Cherry turned the screen toward him.Gilbert read the messages and looked at the photograph. His expression hardened."You're not dealing with this alone."She searched his face."You just told me to stay away from your family.""That doesn't mean you should face a threat by yourself."Cherry's grip eased slightly. He still doubted her, but he had seen the messages. He was staying."They want me to meet them," she said. "If I refuse, they could hurt her."Gilbert stepped closer, keeping his voice calm."If someone threatens my wife, I deal with it."Cherry stared at him.That morning, he had said one year was enough. Now he was calling her his wife as though the word still meant something.Before she could answer, her phone buzzed.You have ten minutes.Another message followed.Come alone.Then a third.If Gilbert follows you, your mother pays for it.Cherry looked up sharply.Someone knew he was with her.She searched the lobby again, but there were too many faces. The messages did not tell her whether the sender was nearby or receiving information from someone else."Gilbert.""What?"She showed him the screen."They know you're here."His eyes moved across the message."Let me see the phone."Cherry pulled it against her chest."No. They said you can't come.""Cherry, we need to understand what they're asking.""I don't know who they are."Her voice broke. She looked toward the entrance, then back at him."I don't know how they know any of this."The phone buzzed again.Cherry lowered her eyes.Another photograph filled the screen.At first, she could only stare. Her mother was no longer standing outside the house.She was sitting inside a car.Cherry's hands shook, and the phone slipped from her fingers. Gilbert caught it before it reached the floor.Beneath the photograph were three words.She's with us."Mama," Cherry whispered.Gilbert looked from the screen to her, his expression hardening.She had come to the hotel to find Luke.Now she did not know where either of them was.