Chapter 17 - The Last Threat
The black sedan remained two cars behind them.
Daniel noticed it near the hospital entrance.
He had become more cautious since the investigation.
He called Ruiz.
Ruiz advised him to enter the hospital while security checked the vehicle.
Emma was already in active labor.
She had no interest in another mystery.
“Daniel.”
He looked at her.
“If that car contains another member of your family, I’m changing the baby’s last name.”
Daniel almost smiled.
“Fair.”
Hospital security approached the sedan.
The driver immediately identified himself.
He was a private investigator.
He worked for Lauren’s new defense attorney.
His assignment was to document Emma’s condition before sentencing.
Ruiz was furious.
The investigator had broken no major law by driving on public roads.
But following a heavily pregnant assault victim to the hospital was enough for the judge to issue an immediate no-contact order covering Lauren’s legal team and representatives.
Lauren denied authorizing it.
Nobody believed her.
Emma refused to let the incident dominate the night.
Hours passed.
Daniel remained beside her through every contraction.
He followed instructions.
He brought ice.
He held her hand.
For once, he did not try to solve anything.
He simply stayed.
At 11:32 that morning, their daughter was born.
Seven pounds and four ounces.
Healthy.
Loud.
Furious at the world.
Emma cried the moment the baby was placed against her chest.
Daniel cried even harder.
“What do you want to name her?”
he whispered.
Emma already knew.
“Grace.”
Daniel smiled through tears.
“Grace Caldwell?”
Emma looked at him.
“Grace Emma Caldwell.”
Daniel laughed.
“You’re naming her after yourself?”
“I nearly got thrown down a staircase.”
Emma looked at him.
“I earned it.”
He kissed her forehead.
“Yes, you did.”
For several hours, the outside world disappeared.
There were no reporters.
No court hearings.
No financial records.
No family scandal.
Only Grace.
That evening, Henry visited in a wheelchair.
A nurse pushed him inside.
Margaret walked several feet behind him.
Emma had agreed she could come.
Henry held Grace carefully.
His damaged hand trembled.
Grace wrapped tiny fingers around one of his.
Henry smiled.
Margaret began crying.
Emma watched her.
The older woman did not ask to hold the baby.
She seemed to understand that permission was no longer something she could assume.
After several minutes, Emma spoke.
“Would you like to hold her?”
Margaret looked stunned.
“Are you sure?”
Emma nodded.
Margaret took Grace gently.
“This does not mean everything is forgiven.”
Emma said quietly.
Margaret looked at her.
“I know.”
“It means I don’t want my daughter growing up inside a family built on punishment.”
Margaret’s tears fell.
“Neither do I.”
For the first time, Emma believed her.
Then Ruiz entered the room carrying an envelope.
“I’m sorry to bring work here.”
Emma looked at him.
“What happened?”
Ruiz handed the envelope to Daniel.
“Lauren’s sentencing is tomorrow.”
Daniel nodded.
Ruiz looked toward Emma.
“She wrote you a letter.”
May you like
Emma stared at the sealed envelope.
She did not open it.
