Chapter 5 - The Storm at St. Jude’s
I let them walk right into the foyer.
As the heavy oak front doors swung open, Margaret stepped inside, her face set in a mask of haughty indignation. The two lawyers trailed close behind her, briefcases in hand, ready to flash court orders and intimidation tactics.
"Sebastian," Margaret said, her voice dripping with artificial warmth. "I see you've finally cooled down. It's time to stop this childish rebellion. Your little wife has poisoned your mind, but we can fix this quietly if you sign these custody transfer papers—"
"Cut the act, Margaret," I said, stepping down the grand staircase into the foyer. My voice was dangerously calm.
She blinked, taken aback by my tone. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," I said, walking right up to her. I held up the manila envelope containing the forged postnuptial agreement. "Did you really think I wouldn't check the safe? Did you think your amateur forgery would hold up under forensic document analysis?"
Margaret’s face paled instantly. The haughty mask slipped, revealing the desperate, calculating woman underneath. "That... that's absurd. You signed that years ago—"
"I never signed it. And neither did Claire," I interrupted, tossing the papers at her feet. "Furthermore, my attorneys have already filed federal charges against you for mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit medical kidnapping, and elder financial exploitation of corporate accounts."
One of Margaret’s lawyers stepped forward, adjusting his tie nervously. "Mr. Carter, I must advise you that my client—"
"Your client is going to spend the remainder of her terminal illness facing trial in a maximum-security federal holding facility unless she turns around and walks out of my house right this second," I roared, the full weight of my rage finally breaking loose. "Get out!"
Before Margaret could stammer a reply, my cell phone rang violently in my pocket.
I pulled it out. It was Dr. Vance.
"Sebastian!" Dr. Vance’s voice was frantic on the other end of the line. "You need to get back to the hospital immediately! The stress of the past few days has triggered premature labor. Claire is dilated, and the baby is coming now!"
My breath hitched. All the fury inside me evaporated, replaced by a wave of pure terror. "I'm on my way. Keep her stable!"
May you like
I shoved past my mother without another glance. "If you are within five miles of my wife or my son when I return, I will personally ensure you spend every remaining breath of your life behind bars."
I sprinted out the door, jumped into my car, and tore down the highway toward the hospital, praying to every god I knew that I wouldn't be too late.
