Chapter 9 - TOO EARLY
Everything became movement.
Lights.
Hands.
Commands.
Emily was rushed toward the operating room.
“Where’s my husband?”
“We’re calling him.”
“My son?”
“Your mother-in-law has him.”
“No!”
Emily grabbed the nurse’s arm.
“Do not leave Noah with Margaret Carter.”
The nurse stared at her.
“Who should we call?”
“Security.”
“Mrs. Carter—”
“Security!”
Across town, Daniel’s phone rang while police officers examined Marcus’s apartment.
He answered.
His face collapsed.
“I’m coming.”
He sprinted for the elevator.
Marcus grabbed his sleeve.
“Daniel.”
“What?”
“Don’t let Margaret near the trust.”
Daniel stared.
“My wife is in premature labor.”
“Then listen to me.”
Marcus’s voice shook.
“If Emily gives birth, the trust changes.”
“How?”
“The baby becomes a contingent beneficiary.”
Daniel felt cold.
“And?”
“Margaret loses her path to control.”
Daniel stared at him.
“You said she was working with you.”
“She paid me to recover documents.”
“For what?”
“To stop Vivian from exposing Richard.”
“Did she order Emily killed?”
Marcus looked away.
“I never heard her say it.”
“That wasn’t my question.”
“I don’t know.”
Daniel punched the elevator button repeatedly.
Marcus called after him.
“I sent the text from Emily’s phone!”
Daniel turned.
“Why?”
“Because I realized Vivian was at the villa.”
“You saved Emily?”
“I tried to fix one thing.”
“You could’ve called the police.”
“I was scared.”
Daniel stepped into the elevator.
“You should be.”
At the hospital, Emily screamed as another contraction hit.
The doctor checked the monitors.
“We need to deliver.”
“It’s too early.”
“You’re thirty-four weeks. Babies at this stage often do very well, but right now her heart rate concerns me.”
Emily cried.
“Do what you have to do.”
The doors opened.
Daniel ran in.
“Emily!”
She looked at him.
For one second, betrayal disappeared.
Fear was bigger.
“Daniel.”
He grabbed her hand.
“I’m here.”
“Our daughter.”
“I know.”
“They’re taking her.”
“I know.”
“I’m scared.”
“I know.”
He pressed his forehead to hers.
For the first time in months, perhaps years, there was no business between them.
No mistress.
No money.
No lies.
Just two terrified parents.
Then Emily pulled back.
“If something happens to me—”
“No.”
“Listen.”
“No.”
“Daniel.”
His eyes filled.
“Protect Noah.”
“I will.”
“From everyone.”
“I swear.”
“Including your mother.”
Daniel froze.
Emily saw it.
“You still don’t believe me.”
“I don’t know what to believe.”
“Then start believing what people do, not what they say.”
The operating room doors opened.
Daniel was pulled aside while staff prepared Emily.
Minutes later, their daughter arrived.
Small.
Silent.
Emily stared in horror.
“Why isn’t she crying?”
Doctors worked quickly.
“Come on, baby.”
Daniel’s knees nearly gave out.
Then a thin cry filled the room.
Emily burst into tears.
Daniel covered his mouth.
Their daughter was alive.
The neonatology team rushed her toward the NICU.
Emily reached after her.
“Wait!”
A nurse smiled gently.
“We’re taking care of her.”
Outside, Margaret watched through the glass.
Noah stood beside a security officer.
Margaret’s phone vibrated.
She glanced down.
One message.
UNKNOWN NUMBER:
THE BABY CHANGES NOTHING. FINISH WHAT RICHARD STARTED.
Margaret’s face went white.
Because the message was not a threat from Marcus.
And it wasn’t from Vivian.
It was from a man Margaret had believed was dead for twenty-two years.
May you like
Thomas Cross.
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