Chapter 14 - THE MAN WHO TRIED TO STEAL MY SON
Julian Duval had spent years telling me I would never become a mother.
Now he was claiming the baby I'd carried through five months of fear and uncertainty belonged to him.
I stared at Rachel across her office desk.
"That's impossible."
She nodded.
"I know."
"My relationship with Julian ended two years before this pregnancy."
"We have the divorce records."
"Then why would he make such a claim?"
Rachel's expression tightened.
"He's attempting to create a dispute over the beneficiary trust."
I covered my face.
For a moment, I was exhausted beyond words.
Julian had already taken so much.
My confidence.
My peace.
Years of believing I wasn't enough.
Now he was trying to drag my unborn child into another fight.
Gabriel sat beside me.
He didn't reach for the documents.
He didn't demand to speak to Julian.
Instead, he took my hand.
"We'll handle this properly."
I looked at him.
"How?"
"With the truth."
Rachel explained that the timeline, medical records, and other evidence strongly contradicted Julian's allegation.
I agreed to provide appropriate documentation through my attorney.
But I refused to let Julian dictate unnecessary medical procedures.
My child was not a prize.
And I would not risk his well-being merely to satisfy a man who had already demonstrated his willingness to falsify records.
The court rejected Julian's request for emergency access to the beneficiary funds.
His unsupported paternity allegation did not establish any legal right to control the trust.
Rachel also filed the necessary responses documenting the pattern of financial manipulation and harassment.
For the first time, Julian's threats seemed to lose their power.
Then the criminal investigation reached a turning point.
Dalia agreed to provide detailed testimony regarding the altered clinic records and the unauthorized medical-data transactions.
Several former Duval executives also cooperated.
Investigators recovered internal communications showing Julian personally approved multiple fraudulent transfers.
The evidence against him grew stronger.
Vivienne was questioned separately concerning the older hospital records and the suspected destruction of evidence.
The investigation into the fire remained open, but the financial and identity-fraud case moved forward.
Three weeks later, Julian entered a guilty plea to several financial and fraud-related charges as part of a negotiated agreement.
He was required to surrender disputed assets and cooperate with investigators.
His sentencing would come later.
The man who'd once controlled the narrative around our marriage now had to answer questions under oath.
That evening, I returned to the Allesian Hearts Foundation offices.
Not for a gala.
Not for photographers.
For a meeting about expanding prenatal care to underserved communities.
I sat at the conference table beside doctors, counselors, and foundation staff.
We approved funding for a new maternal-health outreach program.
And for the first time in years, I felt entirely like myself.
Afterward, Gabriel walked me to the car.
The air smelled of approaching snow.
"Khloe?"
I looked at him.
"Yes?"
He hesitated.
"There's something I've wanted to tell you for months."
My heart fluttered.
"What?"
He smiled nervously.
"I know your life has been complicated. And I know the last thing you need is another person asking you to make a decision."
I laughed softly.
"Gabriel, you're making me nervous."
He took a breath.
"I love you."
The words settled between us.
Warm.
Unexpected.
And somehow completely familiar.
I looked at him.
For two years, he'd never pressured me.
Never demanded explanations.
Never made me feel ashamed of my grief.
He'd simply been there.
And somewhere along the way, I'd fallen in love with him too.
"I love you," I whispered.
His eyes softened.
Then he leaned closer.
"May I kiss you?"
I smiled.
"Yes."
The kiss was gentle.
Full of promises neither of us needed to say aloud.
But before we could return to the car, my phone rang.
Dr. Olivia Monroe.
My obstetrician.
I answered.
"Doctor?"
"Khloe, I wanted to discuss the ultrasound results from this afternoon."
My stomach tightened.
"Is something wrong?"
"Not necessarily. Your baby's heartbeat is strong."
I exhaled.
"Then what is it?"
She paused.
"There's something we couldn't clearly see on the earlier scans."
I gripped Gabriel's hand.
The doctor continued.
"Khloe, we need to repeat the imaging because there's a possibility you're carrying more than one baby."
I stopped breathing.
"More than one?"
Gabriel stared at me.
May you like
And Dr. Monroe said the words that changed our future.
"Khloe, I think there may be a second heartbeat."
