Chapter 4 - The War Begins
By 6:00 PM that evening, the story had set the internet on fire.
MONTGOMERY WEDDING IMPLODES: EX-WIFE ARRIVES WITH SECRET TRIPLETS.
HASTINGS-MONTGOMERY MERGER CANCELLED AFTER DRAMATIC ALTAR CONFRONTATION.
WHO IS MAYA VANCE? THE MYSTERIOUS TECH MILLIONAIRE WHO BROKE CHICAGO’S ELITE.
I sat in the spacious living room of my penthouse, overlooking the glowing Chicago skyline. On the large marble island in the kitchen, my laptop was open, showing real-time market data. The Montgomery Corporation’s stock had already plummeted twelve percent in after-hours trading following Senator Hastings’ public press release severing all political and financial ties with the family.
My assistant, Sarah, walked in carrying a stack of files and two cups of fresh coffee.
"The press is surrounding the building lobby, Boss," Sarah said, a grin playing on her lips. "And Ethan Montgomery has called your personal office line seventeen times in the last two hours."
"Let him call," I said, taking a sip of coffee. "What about Eleanor?"
"She spent the afternoon in emergency meetings with her board of directors," Sarah replied, sliding a blue folder toward me. "Word on the street is that two of their primary lenders are pulling their credit lines by Monday morning. Without the Hastings merger, the Montgomerys are facing a massive liquidity crisis."
"Good," I said coldly. "They spent five years living off their arrogant reputation while bleeding money. It's time they paid the bill."
Just then, the penthouse elevator doors slid open with a soft chime.
My private security chief, Marcus—a towering former Special Forces operative—stepped out into the foyer.
"Ms. Vance," Marcus said smoothly. "Mr. Ethan Montgomery is downstairs in the private garage. He bypassed the main lobby press. He says he won't leave until he speaks with you."
I paused, looking at the city lights reflecting off the glass.
"Did he bring his mother?" I asked.
"No, ma'am. He's alone. He looks... pretty rough, to be honest."
I looked toward the hallway leading to the kids' bedrooms. Liam, Noah, and Caleb were fast asleep, exhausted from the day's drama. They were safe. The penthouse was a fortress.
"Bring him up," I said. "But search him first."
Five minutes later, Ethan stepped out of the elevator.
He had removed his tuxedo jacket and tie. His crisp white shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked exhausted, his gray eyes shadowed with deep stress and grief.
He walked into the living room, stopping near the edge of the plush cream rug. He looked around the luxurious penthouse, taking in the original art on the walls, the high-end security systems, and the breathtaking view of the city.
"You did all of this... on your own?" Ethan asked softly, his voice raspy.
"I didn't have a choice, Ethan," I said, leaning back against my desk with my arms crossed. "I had three mouths to feed, three futures to build, and a mother-in-law who wanted me destroyed. Amazing what a woman can accomplish when she has real motivation."
Ethan swallowed hard, taking a slow step forward. "Maya... I am so sorry. I know those words mean nothing to you now, but... God, I am so sorry."
"You're right," I said flatly. "They mean nothing."
"I didn't know, Maya!" Ethan’s voice cracked, tears welling in his eyes. "If I had known you were pregnant, I would have fought her! I would have left the family! I would have followed you anywhere!"
"You didn't fight her when we were married, Ethan!" I raised my voice, the five years of suppressed anger finally rising to the surface. "You didn't fight her when she called my parents working-class trash! You didn't fight her when she forced me to sign that prenup! You were weak. You let her control your life because it was easy and comfortable."
Ethan dropped his head, his shoulders shaking as he quietly wept. "I was a coward. I know I was. I hated myself every single day after you walked out that door. I thought... I thought you hated me so much you just ran away. I had no idea..."
He looked up, his tear-streaked face raw with emotion. "Please, Maya. Let me see them. Let me be their father."
I looked at the man who used to hold my heart, feeling a strange mix of pity and absolute determination.
"You don't just get to step into their lives because you feel guilty, Ethan," I said firmly. "You want to be a father? You have to prove you're a man first. And right now, you're still just Eleanor Montgomery’s puppet."
Before Ethan could respond, my phone on the desk chimed with an urgent text notification.
I looked down at the screen. It was an alert from my legal team.
ELEANOR MONTGOMERY HAS JUST FILED AN EMERGENCY PETITION FOR CUSTODY IN COOK COUNTY FAMILY COURT. CLAIMING MATERNAL UNFITNESS AND CONCEALMENT OF HEIRS.
My blood turned to pure ice.
May you like
I held up the phone screen so Ethan could see it.
"Look at that, Ethan," I hissed, my eyes burning with lethal fury. "Your mother just declared war on my children. What are you going to do about it?"
