Chapter 6 - The Tiger’s Den
Three weeks later.
The recovery suite on the ninth floor of St. Catherine Medical Center looked more like a five-star luxury residence than a hospital room.
Fresh white lilies filled the crystal vases, sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and a plush nursery setup had been prepared in the adjoining suite for Ethan and Emma.
I stood near the window wearing an elegant velvet robe, holding a small silver spoon as I ate a bowl of organic soup. My strength had returned, my surgical incision had healed beautifully, and my doctors were preparing to clear me for discharge.
My grandfather sat across from me, reviewing a tablet containing the liquidation reports of Ryan’s former assets.
“Ryan’s uncle was formally indicted this morning for wire fraud,” Alexander noted casually. “Ryan himself has been forced to sell his luxury watch collection just to pay his retainer fees for criminal defense.”
A soft knock came at the heavy oak doors of the suite.
My head of security, a former federal marshal named Marcus, stepped into the room.
“Ms. Sterling,” Marcus said respectfully. “Ryan Vance is standing in the ground-floor lobby. He has been begging security for three hours to see you and the children. He claims he has legal rights as the biological father.”
I looked at my grandfather.
Alexander raised an eyebrow. “Do you want me to have him removed by the police, Evelyn?”
I set my spoon down on the silver tray, adjusting the sash of my velvet robe.
“No, Marcus,” I said, my voice dropping into a cool, resolute register. “Bring him up.”
“Evelyn?” my grandfather looked at me with slight surprise.
“He thought he left a helpless, defeated woman in that NICU three weeks ago,” I said, stepping up to the mirror to adjust my hair. “I want him to see who I really am before he goes to prison.”
Ten minutes later, the double doors opened.
Ryan was led into the room by two armed security guards.
He looked unrecognizable. His expensive navy suit was rumpled and unpressed, his hair was messy, and his posture was completely broken. He looked like a man who had been dragged through a hurricane.
When his eyes landed on me, he stopped dead in his tracks.
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I didn't look like a pale, dying patient in a hospital gown anymore. I stood tall, healthy, radiant, surrounded by wealth, power, and absolute authority.
“Evelyn...” Ryan gasped, his voice raspy and desperate. “Thank God... please, you have to help me!”
