Chapter 4 - The Injunction
The paper rattled slightly in the sterile air-conditioned draft of the hallway. Julian held it out with smug precision, his eyes glittering with cold victory.
"Emergency Medical Power of Attorney and an expedited sealed injunction from Judge Thornton," Pendelton stated, adjusting his glasses. "Sheriff Callahan, you are officially barred from interfering with Mrs. Vance's medical transport. Our private medical transport is already en route. Clara will be treated at the Vance Pavilion under our designated physicians."
Callahan didn't even look at the paper. "Judge Thornton plays golf at Julian's country club every Sunday. That paper isn't worth the ink on it while a felony domestic violence investigation is underway."
"Investigation?" Julian chuckled, a dry, venomous sound. "There is no investigation. There is no victim statement. There is only a clumsy, pregnant woman who tripped on a loose carpet runner at a charity gala, and an overzealous small-town cop with a vendetta. Clara will corroborate my statement the moment she wakes up."
Callahan’s jaw clenched so tightly a muscle twitched in his cheek. He knew Julian was right about one thing: the pattern of abuse was powerful. Victims often covered for their abusers out of sheer terror. If Julian got Clara into his private clinic, she would disappear behind NDA clauses, heavy sedatives, and a team of doctors bought and paid for by Vance industries. The baby would be delivered, and Clara would simply... vanish from public life.
Suddenly, the double doors behind Callahan swung open.
A female surgeon stepped out, pulling down her blood-flecked surgical mask. Her expression was solemn and exhausted.
Julian immediately stepped forward. "Doctor, I am Julian Vance. How is my child?"
Noticeably, he didn't ask about his wife. The doctor caught the slip, her eyes darting toward Callahan before answering carefully. "The baby has been delivered via emergency cesarean section. It’s a boy. He's currently in the NICU on high-flow oxygen, but his vitals are stabilizing."
Julian let out an audible sigh of relief, though it lacked warmth. "The heir lives. And Clara?"
"Mrs. Vance suffered severe internal bleeding due to blunt force trauma to the uterine wall," the doctor said, her voice dropping into an icy, professional monotone. "We managed to stop the hemorrhage, but she remains in critical condition. She is awake, however."
"I need to see her," Julian demanded, moving to brush past the doctor.
"No," the doctor said firmly, stepping directly into his path. "The patient specifically requested to see only one person before she was placed under full sedation."
May you like
Julian sneered. "She wants her husband, obviously."
"No, Mr. Vance," the doctor replied, turning her gaze directly onto the lawman. "She asked for Sheriff Callahan."
