Chapter 7 - THE BABY THEY TURNED INTO AN INHERITANCE
Elijah Torres had been treated like a financial asset before he could even speak.
That was what I discovered when Rebecca explained the trust documents.
Kieran's late father, Alexander Blackwood, had established several protected family trusts.
One was intended to provide for descendants of certain employees and associates who had helped build the family's legitimate companies.
Gabriel Torres had been named in an old agreement.
The arrangement involved shares that could pass to his qualifying children.
I stared at the paperwork.
"Why would Gabriel's child inherit anything?"
Rebecca explained.
"His father helped recover significant company assets years ago. Alexander apparently created the agreement as compensation."
My stomach tightened.
"And Elijah?"
"May be an eligible beneficiary if the documents are valid."
I looked toward Kieran.
He seemed equally stunned.
"Sebastian never told me."
Rebecca nodded.
"That isn't surprising if he was trying to influence the trust."
My heart pounded.
"How much?"
She hesitated.
"The underlying assets are substantial. Potentially tens of millions, depending on the governing documents."
I stopped breathing.
Millions.
While I was struggling to pay an $18,640.72 hospital bill.
The cruelty made me sick.
Then Rebecca continued.
"Victoria's company may have been attempting to obtain control over the administration of those assets."
I stared.
"By claiming I was an unfit mother?"
"That appears to be part of the plan."
I covered my mouth.
Suddenly, everything connected.
The falsified visitor authorization.
The private investigator.
The guardianship consultations.
The money diverted from Elijah's care.
And Victoria telling my son he'd live with her.
It wasn't simply about taking money.
It was about controlling Elijah.
His future.
His legal representation.
His access to his father.
And possibly his relationship with me.
I felt furious.
Then something inside me became strangely calm.
I looked toward Rebecca.
"What do we do?"
She nodded.
"We preserve evidence, protect Elijah's privacy, and pursue the appropriate legal remedies."
I took a breath.
"Then let's do it."
That afternoon, Kieran requested a meeting.
I agreed.
But only with Rebecca present.
He entered looking exhausted.
Dark circles shadowed his eyes.
"Saraphina."
I nodded.
He sat across from me.
Then said something unexpected.
"I've removed Sebastian from executive control of our legitimate companies pending investigation."
My heart tightened.
"And Victoria?"
"Her access to our business records has been suspended where legally permitted."
I studied him.
"Are you protecting them?"
He shook his head.
"No."
I swallowed.
"Even if this destroys your family's reputation?"
Kieran looked toward the window.
"Our reputation isn't worth more than Elijah's safety."
For the first time, I believed he meant it.
Then he continued.
"I also owe you an apology."
I folded my arms.
"For what?"
"For assuming you were hiding a boyfriend when you were trying to keep your son alive."
The admission surprised me.
I looked down.
Kieran continued.
"I was jealous."
I stared.
"Why?"
He hesitated.
Then whispered, "Because I've been falling in love with you for months."
My heart stopped.
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Then I looked directly at him.
"Kieran, my child is in a hospital bed. I cannot be responsible for your feelings right now."
His expression changed.
Then he nodded.
"You're right."
I swallowed.
"Good."
He looked ashamed.
"I'm sorry."
For the first time, he seemed to understand that love wasn't something he could demand simply because he was powerful.
Then Rebecca's phone rang.
She answered.
Listened.
And slowly stood.
"What?"
My stomach tightened.
She ended the call.
"Investigators recovered a sealed file from Sebastian's office."
My heart pounded.
"What file?"
Rebecca looked toward me.
"It contains medical information about Elijah."
I froze.
May you like
Then she revealed the part that made my blood run cold.
"Sebastian had been receiving updates about your son's condition before you even knew he was sick."
