Dante drove quickly to the central hospital downtown under the bright afternoon sun.
He rushed into the intensive care unit where doctors were monitoring his mother.
The head physician walked out of the treatment room with a gentle smile.
Doctor: Mr. Vance, your mother is awake and her condition is stable now.
Dante: Thank God! Was it really poison inside her system?
Doctor: Yes, a heavy dose of a dangerous sedative was found in her blood.
Doctor: If your maid had not called for help, she would not have survived.
Dante let out a long breath of relief as tears filled his tired eyes.
He walked into the quiet hospital room and saw his mother sitting up slightly.
Mrs. Vance reached out her hand slowly as her son approached her bedside.
Mrs. Vance: Dante, my dear boy, I am so glad to see your face.
Dante: Mom, I am so sorry I did not believe your warnings about Elena.
Mrs. Vance: You were in love, my son, and people in love make mistakes.
Dante sat on the small chair beside the bed and held her warm hand.
Dante: Elena is in police custody right now facing severe criminal charges.
Dante: She will never hurt you or anyone else ever again, I promise.
Mrs. Vance nodded her head softly as a gentle tear rolled down her cheek.
Mrs. Vance: Where is Clara? Is she alright after what happened today?
Dante: She injured her foot on broken glass, but she is safe at home.
Mrs. Vance: That brave girl protected me when I could not protect myself.
Dante: I am going to make sure she never has to worry about money again.
Dante stayed by his mother's side for the rest of the warm afternoon.
He realized that true loyalty does not come from high status or expensive clothes.
It comes from the heart of people who care about doing what is right.
He resolved to clear out every trace of Elena's presence from the family mansion.
The legal fight ahead would be long, but his family was safe now.