Chapter 2 - The Sound of Sirens
Marcus whipped his head around. Vanessa was edging backward toward the console table where her oversized designer purse rested. Arthur placed a heavy hand on her shoulder, not to stop her, but seemingly to urge her backward.
""Don't you dare touch that bag,"" Marcus growled, rising slowly to his feet.
Before Vanessa could protest, the front doors burst open. Paramedics rushed in, wheeling a gurney and carrying trauma kits. The sterile scent of antiseptic invaded the house, drowning out the tension for a fleeting second.
""What happened?"" the lead paramedic demanded, immediately dropping beside Elena, checking her pulse and pupil response.
""Blunt force fall,"" Marcus said, keeping his voice level despite the fury burning behind his eyes. ""She hit the floor hard. She’s twenty-eight weeks pregnant.""
""Her blood pressure is dropping rapidly,"" the second medic called out, prepping an IV line. ""We need to move her now. Possible placental abruption.""
Marcus felt the floor tilt beneath him. Placental abruption. He knew what that meant—his unborn child was suffocating inside her. He stepped forward to follow the gurney, but Arthur stepped into his path, gripping Marcus’s shoulder with unnatural force.
""You ride with her, Marcus,"" Arthur said smoothly, his tone coated in synthetic paternal concern. ""I will handle things here. Vanessa and I will look after Leo and lock up the house.""
Marcus looked down at his father’s hand. There was something desperate in the grip, something calculated.
""No,"" Marcus said, wrenching himself free. ""Leo comes with me. You two leave this house immediately.""
Vanessa stepped forward, her face pale. ""Marcus, you can’t accuse us—""
""Get out!"" Marcus roared, a command so explosive it rattled the chandelier above.
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Arthur’s eyes turned stone cold. He nodded slowly, grabbing Vanessa’s arm and pulling her toward the front entrance. But as Arthur walked past, Leo tugged on Marcus’s shirt, whispering something that made Marcus’s heart stop cold:
""Uncle Marcus... Grandpa gave her the key.""
