Chapter 6 - The Unholy Termination
Claire held her daughter tightly, sobbing into her curls, entirely unable to comprehend the reality unfolding around her. She looked at the twins, who were standing at the foot of the bed, smiling happily, and then at Nathan, who was watching them with a profound, quiet warmth.
"I don't understand, Mr. Whitmore," Claire whispered, wiping her eyes. "Why are you doing this?"
"Because my sons told me why they love you more than home, Claire," Nathan said, looking at the twins. "You brought their mother's song back to them. You gave them a sanctuary when I was too cowardly to face our grief. You looked after my family when yours was starving. It’s time someone looked after you."
The tender moment was suddenly interrupted by a sharp knock on the door. Ruth Keller, the head housekeeper, stepped into the room, looking nervous and holding a clipboard.
"Mr. Whitmore," Ruth said, her voice strained. "I came as soon as I heard. I have the replacement cleaning schedules organized for the mansion, and I’ve already contacted an agency to fill Claire’s position permanently. We can’t have the estate management compromised by—"
"Ruth," Nathan interrupted, his voice turning into an icy, terrifying vibration that made the older woman instantly freeze. "You watched this woman faint twice in my kitchen. You gave her unprescribed prescription medication to hide her illness because you didn't want to 'make trouble' for my corporate schedule."
Ruth’s face drained of color. "Sir, I was only trying to protect the household efficiency—"
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"You didn't protect anything, Ruth," Nathan said, standing up to his full height, his presence completely dominating the hospital room. "You risked a mother's life to maintain an empty, sterile status quo. You are terminated, effective immediately. Security is currently packing your belongings from the estate. If I ever see you near my property or my children again, I will have my legal team file criminal charges for medical endangerment."
Ruth opened her mouth to argue, but the sheer fury in Nathan's eyes made her turn around and sprint out of the pavilion.
