Chapter 1 - THE MAN BEHIND THE DOORS
Raymond Saint Claire did not come through the public elevator.
Three minutes after Emily made the call, the double doors at the end of the hallway opened with a soft hydraulic sigh.
Four hospital security officers stepped out first.
Behind them came the chief nursing officer, the hospital’s general counsel, and a gray-haired man in a charcoal suit who walked without hurry.
Raymond Saint Claire was sixty-one years old.
He did not look furious.
That frightened people who knew him far more than shouting ever could.
The nurse behind the desk straightened immediately.
“Mr. Saint Claire.”
Preston’s expression changed.
Only slightly.
But Emily saw it.
Vanessa saw it too.
Raymond stopped ten feet away.
His eyes moved first to Emily’s face.
Then to the hand supporting her stomach.
Then to the red mark visible beneath the side of her dress.
His jaw tightened.
“Emily.”
“I’m okay.”
“No, you’re not.”
Vanessa gave an uneasy laugh.
“This is ridiculous.”
Raymond finally looked at her.
“Who are you?”
Vanessa blinked.
Preston stepped forward.
“Raymond, there’s been a misunderstanding.”
Raymond’s gaze moved to Preston.
“You may call me Mr. Saint Claire.”
The hallway became completely silent.
Preston’s face hardened.
“Come on.”
“We’re family.”
Raymond looked toward the camera above the elevator.
“Daniel.”
The head of security stepped forward.
“Sir.”
“Preserve every second of footage from this floor.”
“Yes, sir.”
Vanessa’s confidence cracked.
“For what?”
Raymond ignored her.
He approached Emily carefully.
“Did someone touch you?”
Emily looked at Preston.
He stared back at her with a warning in his eyes.
It was the same look he used at dinners when she almost contradicted him.
The same look he used when she asked about unexplained charges.
The same look that had kept her quiet for three years.
Emily turned back to Raymond.
“She kicked me.”
Vanessa’s face went white.
Preston stepped between them.
“She barely touched her.”
Raymond’s eyes sharpened.
“You witnessed it?”
Preston hesitated.
That was enough.
Raymond nodded toward security.
“Separate them.”
Two officers moved immediately.
Vanessa stepped backward.
“You cannot detain me.”
“No.”
Raymond’s voice stayed calm.
“But the police can.”
Vanessa stared at him.
“Police?”
Emily’s breath suddenly caught.
Pain tightened low across her abdomen.
Raymond saw her expression.
“Emily?”
Another wave came harder.
The nurse dropped her clipboard and rushed forward.
“Mrs. Whitmore, are you contracting?”
Preston’s face drained.
Emily gripped the rail.
Then she felt something warm run down the inside of her leg.
The nurse looked at the floor.
Her eyes widened.
“Get obstetrics now.”
Raymond caught Emily before her knees buckled.
As staff rushed toward them, Preston tried to follow.
Raymond turned.
For the first time, anger broke through his calm expression.
“You stay exactly where you are.”
And as Emily disappeared through the maternity doors, Preston finally noticed the name engraved beneath the Saint Claire logo.
May you like
IN MEMORY OF DR. MARGARET SAINT CLAIRE.
Emily’s mother.
