Chapter 3 - The Price of Silence
The paper fluttered violently in Ethan’s shaking hands. ""Five million dollars? You sold our son to the Sterlings?""
""No!"" Claire cried out, clutching Noah tighter against her chest as the baby stirred and began to wail softly. ""Look at the terms, Ethan! Read the second page!""
Before Ethan could turn the document over, the sharp, rhythmic clicking of high heels echoed down the hospital corridor. It wasn't the soft crepe soles of the nursing staff; it was deliberate, resonant, and accompanied by the heavy tread of hard leather shoes.
Ethan shoved the documents into his inner tuxedo pocket and stepped between the bed and the open door.
Two men in tailored slate-grey suits appeared first, stepping into the doorway with calculated professionalism. Behind them walked Richard Sterling, CEO of Sterling Global, flanked by his daughter.
Vanessa still wore her designer silk wedding gown, though the veil had been ripped away. Her makeup was immaculate, her porcelain skin untarnished by tears. Instead of grief, her piercing blue eyes burned with an icy, lethal fury.
""How touching,"" Vanessa said, her voice smooth and devoid of tremor. ""A family reunion at the public clinic. Did you think I wouldn't track your phone, Ethan?""
""Get out,"" Ethan growled, shielding Claire and the baby entirely from view. ""Get out before I throw you out myself.""
Richard Sterling raised a manicured hand, his expression impassive. ""Control yourself, Ethan. You walked away from an altar, an empire, and an alliance that took three years to orchestrate. All for a waitress and a child that doesn't belong in our world.""
""He is my son,"" Ethan spat.
""He was your son,"" Vanessa replied coldly, crossing her arms. She didn't look at Ethan; her glare bored straight into Claire. ""Miss Henderson was given a generous offer to relocate to Zurich and sign over complete, non-revocable custody to Ethan and myself after our nuptials. She agreed. She signed.""
Ethan felt the floor drop beneath him. He spun toward Claire, whose face was completely pale, tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks.
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""Is that true?"" Ethan whispered, the room spinning around him. ""You were going to let Vanessa raise him?""
Claire shook her head frantically, choking on her words. ""Ethan, they said... they said if I didn't sign, they would make sure you went to prison!""
