Chapter 7 - I TOLD HIM ABOUT OUR BABY
I had imagined this moment for three years.
Grant crying.
Laughing.
Dropping to his knees.
Holding me.
Instead, I stood beside a divorce attorney while his mistress was being held hostage with another man’s baby inside her.
Life has terrible timing.
“Yes.”
Grant stopped moving.
“How far?”
“Six weeks.”
His eyes filled instantly.
“Six?”
I nodded.
He sat down.
Then stood.
Then sat again.
“Is everything okay?”
“So far.”
He covered his mouth.
I hated seeing him happy.
I hated seeing myself still care that he was.
“We did it.”
“No.”
His eyes lifted.
“What?”
“I did.”
That hurt him.
Good.
“I went to the appointment alone.”
He looked down.
“You were supposed to be there.”
“You were carrying Aubrey through Labor and Delivery.”
He cried then.
Quietly.
No performance.
Still not enough.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
“Claire, I—”
“Don’t.”
He stopped.
“I’m not giving you this pregnancy as a reason to save our marriage.”
“I know.”
“No, Grant. Hear me.”
I moved closer.
“This baby will not become the excuse you use to avoid consequences.”
He nodded through tears.
“You’re right.”
Naomi interrupted.
“We have a hostage situation and a trust dispute. Reconciliation can wait until another century.”
Bless her.
Marcus joined us through encrypted video.
We built a plan.
Peter expected me to bring the ring to the lower vault at noon.
Federal agents would be involved.
Grant hated that.
I did not care.
“Your family has handled things privately for too long.”
He nodded.
Again.
Maybe learning.
At 11:47, I entered the old bank lobby wearing the ring.
Grant remained three blocks away with agents.
Peter’s instructions were precise.
Basement.
No phone.
No police.
I entered the elevator.
At the bottom, two armed men searched me.
Then led me into the vault room.
Aubrey sat in a chair.
Still pregnant.
Still terrified.
Harrison knelt nearby.
Peter Morgan stood beside the trust table.
Gray suit.
Pleasant smile.
“Claire.”
“Peter.”
“You always were the sensible one.”
“Interesting day to compliment me.”
His eyes moved toward my stomach.
Not noticeable.
But he knew.
“Congratulations.”
Cold moved through me.
“How?”
“Evelyn told me.”
I froze.
Grant’s mother knew?
She had learned from the fertility clinic.
Apparently my doctor’s office had called our old family contact number about insurance verification.
Evelyn intercepted it.
She knew I was pregnant before Grant did.
And she told Peter.
“Why?”
Peter smiled.
“Because your child changes everything.”
He gestured toward Aubrey.
“This baby was supposed to become the Morgan heir.”
Aubrey looked away.
“But now you have a legitimate child conceived inside the marriage.”
He extended his hand.
“Ring.”
I removed it.
Did not give it yet.
“What happens if I refuse?”
Peter smiled.
“Harrison dies first.”
Then Aubrey.
Then, softly:
“And eventually you.”
Harrison suddenly laughed.
Everyone turned.
Peter frowned.
“What?”
Harrison raised his head.
Blood on his mouth.
“You still don’t understand the trust.”
Peter’s face changed.
“What are you talking about?”
Harrison looked at me.
“The child doesn’t control it.”
Silence.
Then:
“The mother does.”
I stared.
Peter went pale.
May you like
Harrison smiled through blood.
“And Claire already owns the company.”
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