Chapter 4 - The Confrontation
The attorney didn't back down easily. He smirked, looking at Luke and then at me.
"Think about this logically, Danielle," the lawyer said smoothly. "If this goes to public court, your entire family history will be dragged through the tabloid dirt. Your sister’s failed IVF records, your mother’s psychological history, your biological mother's tragic death—all of it will be public domain. Do you really want that kind of stress while carrying a high-risk pregnancy?"
"Are you threatening my wife?" Luke took a step closer, his hands balling into tight fists.
"I am offering a pragmatic solution," the lawyer replied calmly. "Evelyn was emotional. She made a mistake during a high-stress moment. A criminal trial will destroy what's left of this family."
"A mistake?" I shouted, my voice trembling with burning anger. The physical pain in my stomach was nothing compared to the fury rising in my heart. "She tried to murder my unborn child! She punched me in the stomach with everything she had while screaming at me to get rid of it! That was not a mistake. That was malice!"
"Detective Harrison," Arthur Sterling spoke up, stepping between Luke and the lawyer. "I suggest you escort this attorney out. He is actively attempting to intimidate a victim of a violent felony inside a hospital room."
Detective Harrison glared at the lawyer. "Counselor, move outside. Now. Before I add obstruction to your client's charges."
The attorney scoffed, straightened his jacket, and turned to walk out, but not before looking back at Courtney. "Courtney, your father wants you to know that the defense fund for your mother will require liquidating your husband’s joint real estate investments. You need to sign the authorization."
Courtney froze. She looked at the attorney, then at me, then down at her hands—hands that had been washed with stolen money her entire life.
She slowly stood up, walking toward the attorney. Her voice was steady, clearer than I had ever heard it before.
"Tell my father," Courtney said, looking the lawyer dead in the eye, "that he and Evelyn can rot in jail. I am not signing a damn thing. And if he tries to use my name or my husband's money to bail that monster out of prison, I will testify against them both in court."
The attorney’s arrogant expression melted away into shock. He mouth flapped open, unable to find a response, before he turned around and hastily left the room.
Courtney turned back to me, her face pale but her expression determined. She walked to my bedside and sank onto her knees, taking my hands in hers.
May you like
"Danielle," Courtney whispered. "I'm cutting them off. Completely. I don't care if I lose everything. I don't care if we have to sell our house to pay back what they stole from you. I will not let them hurt you or your baby ever again."
I pulled Courtney into a tight embrace. For twenty-nine years, I thought my sister was my rival. But in the darkest hour of my life, the illusion had shattered, leaving behind the true relationship we were supposed to have all along.
