Chapter 9 - The Trial of the Heart
Back at the estate, Clara experienced sharp abdominal cramps later that night. The terror that seized Julian was unlike anything he had felt in boardroom wars or business crises.
The estate doctor was summoned immediately. For three agonizing hours, Julian paced the hallway outside Clara's bedroom, his hands raw from clenching them. He bargained with God, offering every cent of his fortune just to ensure Clara and their unborn baby were safe.
When the bedroom door finally opened, Dr. Adams stepped out with a tired but reassuring smile.
"Stress-induced contractions, Julian. But mother and child are perfectly stable now. She needs absolute rest, tranquility, and peace of mind."
Julian entered the dimly lit room quietly. Clara looked exhausted, but she smiled when she saw him.
Julian sank to his knees by the bedside, burying his face into the soft mattress near her hand. He began to weep silently.
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"Julian..." she murmured, stroking his dark hair.
"I thought I lost you," he choked out. "Nothing matters without you, Clara. Not the enterprise, not the Vance name. Just you and our child."
