Chapter 7: The Last Door He Tried to Close
Mara arranged for Elena to return to the estate with Dr.
Shaw’s approval and a court officer beside her.
Julian was in the study, feeding documents into the fireplace when Elena entered.
“Step away from the fire,” the officer said.
Julian dropped another folder into the flames.
“These are my personal papers.”
Elena moved forward.
“They are records from my trust.”
“You should be in the hospital.”
“You should have thought of that before giving me those pills.”
Julian glanced at Gabriel and Mara behind her.
“You brought an audience because you cannot face me alone.”
“I faced you alone for three years.”
“And you stayed.”
The words struck harder than Elena expected.
Gabriel moved, but she lifted one hand.
“No, Papa.
Let him finish.”
Julian smiled.
“You enjoyed this life until your father offered you a better deal.”
Elena took the memory card from her pocket.
“The nursery camera recorded you and Dr.
Pike.”
His smile disappeared.
“That recording is illegal.”
“The camera was in my home.”
“My home.”
Mara opened the trust agreement.
“The court confirmed the villa belongs to Elena’s trust.
You have been ordered to leave.”
Julian reached for his phone.
The officer blocked him.
“Put it on the desk.”
“I am calling my attorney.”
“You may call after we secure the evidence.”
Chloe appeared in the doorway.
Julian stared at her as if she had become a stranger.
“You gave them the card.”
“You planned to leave me behind.”
“You were useful until you became emotional.”
Chloe’s hand shook, but she did not retreat.
“You told Dr.
Pike to increase the dose.”
“You agreed Elena was unstable.”
“I agreed because I wanted what she had.” Chloe looked at Elena.
“I was wrong.”
Julian turned back to his wife.
“Tell them to leave, and I will sign everything back.”
“You cannot return what was never yours.”
“I can keep this private.”
“You humiliated me in front of your guests.
Why should your truth be private?”
Julian’s voice dropped.
“Because if I fall, I will say your father arranged everything.
I will drag his past into court, and your child will grow up reading his name beside every accusation.”
Gabriel stepped forward.
“Use my name.
I will answer for every choice I made.”
Elena looked at Julian.
“That threat worked when I was ashamed of both of you.
It does not work now.”
Sirens sounded beyond the front gates.
Julian grabbed the second phone and rushed toward the side door, but Rose stood there with two investigators.
“You forgot the service corridor camera,” she said.
One investigator displayed a warrant.
“Julian Vance, we are seizing the phones, financial records, and medical communications named here.”
“This is a family dispute.”
“The attempted transfer from the trust account happened forty minutes ago.”
Mara turned the laptop toward Elena.
The screen showed a pending transfer of four million dollars to an overseas company registered under Julian’s name.
“I stopped authorization,” Elena said.
“The trust requires my mother’s security phrase.”
Julian went pale.
“You told me you didn’t know it.”
“I told you what I needed you to believe.”
The investigator secured Julian’s wrists.
Julian looked at Elena as he was led toward the door.
“You will come begging when your father leaves again.”
Gabriel placed his hand beside Elena’s, not over it.
Elena held Julian’s gaze.
“You mistook my silence for surrender.
That was your last mistake.”
Julian crossed the threshold, and the door closed behind him.
A sudden pressure folded Elena against the desk.
Dr.
May you like
Shaw caught her arm as water spread across the floor beneath her.
“Elena,” he said, already reaching for his phone, “your baby is coming now.”
