Chapter 2 - THE INJECTION
Emma moved in front of Ethan.
Isabella stopped several feet away.
Her face remained calm.
Only her eyes revealed anger.
“Give me the child,” she said.
“He needs a hospital.”
“He needs his medication.”
“You tied him behind a wall.”
“For his own protection.”
Dr. Wells adjusted the cuffs of his tuxedo.
“Ethan has been experiencing severe behavioral episodes.”
“He attacked Mrs. Sterling.”
“He threatened to jump from the roof.”
Emma looked at the bruises around Ethan’s wrists.
“Then why was he hidden?”
Isabella smiled faintly.
“Because William cannot handle another family scandal.”
Ethan pressed his face into Emma’s back.
“She lies.”
Dr. Wells lifted both hands.
“The boy is confused.”
“The medication can cause agitation and distorted memory.”
Emma held up her phone.
“I recorded the room.”
Isabella’s gaze moved toward the device.
“Did you?”
Emma stepped backward.
“If anything happens to me, the video uploads automatically.”
That was a lie.
Her phone had no signal underground.
Isabella did not know that.
The doctor hesitated.
Isabella did not.
She rushed forward.
Emma threw the iron tool.
It struck the doctor’s wrist.
The syringe flew across the floor.
Ethan screamed.
Emma grabbed him beneath the arms and dragged him through the broken opening.
His legs would not support him.
She carried him toward the stairs.
Isabella caught the back of Emma’s uniform.
The fabric tore.
Emma twisted free.
Dr. Wells grabbed her ankle.
She kicked backward and struck his face.
Blood burst from his nose.
Emma climbed.
Each step felt endless.
Ethan’s body was frighteningly light.
Behind them, Isabella shouted.
“Security.”
Her voice echoed through the hidden corridor.
“Emma Torres is kidnapping Ethan.”
The ballroom music stopped above.
Emma reached the top of the stairs and pushed through the concealed door.
Guests in gowns and tuxedos turned toward her.
The golden painting hung open.
Emma stumbled into the service hallway carrying the billionaire’s missing son.
Ethan’s hospital tube dragged across the floor.
Several guests screamed.
William Sterling appeared at the end of the corridor.
His face changed when he saw his son.
“Ethan?”
The boy lifted his head.
“Dad.”
William ran toward them.
Isabella emerged behind Emma.
Her dress was torn at the shoulder.
She pointed dramatically.
“Stop her.”
“She broke into a secured medical room.”
“She attacked Dr. Wells and tried to take Ethan.”
The new security guards surrounded Emma.
William reached for his son.
Ethan recoiled.
Not from his father.
From Isabella standing behind him.
“Don’t let her touch me.”
William froze.
Isabella softened her voice.
“Sweetheart, you’re confused.”
“You missed your medication.”
Ethan began shaking violently.
“She locked me in the wall.”
Everyone heard him.
William looked at the open painting.
Then at the hidden staircase.
Dr. Wells reached the hallway holding a cloth against his bleeding nose.
“This child is experiencing a psychotic episode.”
William’s expression hardened.
“You told me he was in Maine.”
Isabella answered without pausing.
“He returned this morning.”
“He became unstable.”
“I did not want to ruin your celebration.”
Emma stared at her.
The lie was effortless.
William looked toward Ethan.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
Isabella touched his arm.
“You have been under enormous pressure.”
“I was protecting you.”
Ethan cried out.
“No.”
He pointed toward her hand.
“She has Mommy’s ring.”
Isabella looked down.
A sapphire ring glittered on her finger.
William’s late wife, Claire, had worn it every day of their marriage.
It had disappeared after her death.
Isabella had always claimed Claire was buried wearing it.
The ballroom became completely silent.
William looked at the ring.
May you like
Then he looked at his new wife.
“Where did you get that?”
