Chapter 6 - The Child They Planned to Own
Vanessa’s company was called Cross Genetic Solutions.
It had no laboratory.
It had no employees besides Vanessa.
It had received twelve million dollars from Whitmore Health Partners during the previous year.
The contract claimed the company was studying hereditary heart conditions in newborns.
Emily had never consented to her child’s participation.
Raymond examined the transfer papers.
“They planned to use the baby’s records as collateral.”
“For what?” Emily asked.
“A private investor loan.”
The Saint Claire hospital network held one of the largest maternal and neonatal databases in the country.
Access to that data was worth hundreds of millions.
Whitmore Health Partners had promised an offshore investment group exclusive research rights after the restructuring.
Emily’s baby was listed as the first participant.
The child’s surname had already been entered as Whitmore.
The mother’s legal status was marked:
TEMPORARILY INCAPACITATED.
Emily felt something inside her become completely still.
Not numb.
Not frightened.
Certain.
“Bring Preston in.”
Raymond studied her.
“You do not owe him a conversation.”
“I know.”
“That is why I want one.”
Security escorted Preston into the room.
He no longer looked powerful.
His tie had been removed.
His expensive suit was wrinkled.
Emily looked at him.
“Did you know about the research contract?”
“It was only paperwork.”
“Did you know Vanessa’s company would control our son’s medical data?”
“It would have been temporary.”
“Did you know they planned to induce labor tonight?”
Preston’s jaw moved.
He did not answer.
Emily remembered the white tulips.
The ultrasound tears.
The backyard promise to her father.
All of it now felt like evidence from another man’s life.
“Did you ever love me?”
Preston looked toward Raymond.
“This interrogation is inappropriate.”
Emily nodded slowly.
“That is the answer.”
She removed her wedding ring.
Preston’s expression changed for the first time.
“Do not do something emotional.”
Emily placed the ring on the bedside table.
“I am not emotional.”
“I am informed.”
She turned to Raymond’s attorney.
“Prepare divorce papers.”
“Freeze every marital account connected to my trust.”
“Revoke Preston’s medical proxy.”
“And file for an emergency protective order before he leaves this floor.”
Preston laughed once.
“You think your uncle can erase me?”
Emily looked at him calmly.
“No.”
“You erased yourself.”
A security officer entered with new information.
Vanessa had agreed to cooperate.
She claimed Preston was not the person who designed the plan.
May you like
The mastermind was waiting downstairs.
It was Emily’s own father.
