The next morning, a black, bulletproof sedan pulled up to the entrance of a highly discreet, luxury nursing home in Long Island.
Two massive bodyguards stepped out first. They flanked Audra, their eyes scanning the perimeter, watching her every move with hawkish intensity.
Audra walked through the sliding glass doors. The sharp, chemical smell of bleach and antiseptic hit her nose, making her stomach clench. She walked briskly down the long corridor and pushed open the heavy door to the VIP suite at the end of the hall.
Inside, Nurse Brenda Clegg was sitting in a chair beside the bed. She was scrolling through her phone with one hand. With the other, she was carelessly scraping a plastic spoon full of scalding hot puree against Eleanor's tightly shut lips, deliberately pinching the frail woman's inner arm where the bruises wouldn't be seen. Eleanor twisted her head weakly on the pillow, trying to avoid the painful heat. 'Eat it, you difficult old burden,' Brenda whispered venomously, her voice a low, psychological torment. The moment Brenda heard the door open, her vicious scowl vanished, instantly replaced by a sickeningly sweet, professional smile as she turned around.
The sight ignited a blinding rage inside Audra. She lunged across the room and shoved Brenda hard in the shoulder.
The ceramic bowl flew out of Brenda's hand. It shattered against the marble floor, sending hot, sticky puree splashing across the walls.
"Are you crazy? What is wrong with you!" Brenda shrieked, stumbling back and glaring at Audra with pure malice.
Audra didn't hesitate. She raised her hand, channeled every ounce of her anger and grief into her palm, and slapped Brenda across the face as hard as she physically could.
Smack.
The sharp sound echoed in the room. Five bright red finger marks instantly bloomed across Brenda's cheek.
"Who gave you the right to touch her like that!" Audra screamed, her eyes bloodshot, looking like a lioness protecting her cub.
Brenda clutched her stinging cheek. She looked toward the door, expecting the two men in black suits to intervene. But the bodyguards stood perfectly still, their faces blank. Anderson's orders were to keep Audra contained and Eleanor alive; the nurse's well-being meant nothing to them. Realizing she had no backup, Brenda scrambled out of the room in terror.
Audra turned back to the bed. Her hands were shaking. She pulled a soft handkerchief from her purse and gently, carefully wiped the spilled food from Eleanor's chin.
"Mom, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I'm late," she whispered, her tears falling freely, landing with soft taps on Eleanor's cold, wrinkled hand.
Feeling the warmth of the tears, Eleanor's eyelids fluttered. Slowly, her cloudy eyes opened.
Her gaze wandered aimlessly for a second before focusing on Audra's face. Suddenly, Eleanor's chest began to heave. Her breathing turned rapid and shallow.
Her bony fingers shot out, gripping the sleeve of Audra's trench coat with surprising, desperate strength. Her nails dug into Audra's wrist.
"The TV... I saw... on the TV..." Eleanor mumbled, her words slurred, her lungs working overtime to push the air out.
Audra's heart skipped a beat. She followed Eleanor's frantic gaze to the flat-screen television mounted on the wall.
It was playing a rerun of the morning entertainment news. The screen showed Eben walking down the red carpet at The Plaza hotel.
Eleanor raised a trembling finger, pointing directly at Eben's face on the screen. Tears poured from her aged eyes. "Kendall... my Kendall didn't die..."
She tried to force herself to sit up. The sudden exertion caused the heart monitor beside the bed to emit a rapid, high-pitched warning beep.
"Mom, please, you have to calm down! Your heart can't take this!" Audra panicked, gently pressing her hands against Eleanor's shoulders to keep her flat on the bed.
"Bring him to me! Audra, please, I am begging you, let me see my son!" Eleanor cried out hysterically, her voice breaking with absolute desperation.
Looking into the pleading, shattered eyes of the woman who had raised her, Audra felt a physical pain slice through her chest.
She knew exactly how much Eben hated her. She knew that going to him meant walking directly into a meat grinder of humiliation and revenge.
But looking at Eleanor's failing body, she knew she had no choice. This was the woman's dying wish.
Audra wrapped her hands tightly around Eleanor's freezing fingers. She nodded her head firmly. "I promise you, Mom. I will make him come see you."
She stood up. She aggressively wiped the tears from her face, her eyes hardening with resolve. She walked out of the hospital room. The two bodyguards instantly fell into step behind her, their shadows looming over her like a death sentence.
