Chapter 3 - The Standoff
Richard stopped in his tracks, his eyes narrowing as he sized Ethan up. He took in the tailored suit, the expensive watch, and the undeniable aura of authority. But Richard’s desperation made him reckless.
“Listen, buddy, I don’t know who you are, but you’re interfering with a family matter,” Richard sneered, taking a step closer. “My wife is in a coma at a hospital across town. I am the legal guardian of those kids. Now step aside.”
“I don’t care if you’re the Pope,” Ethan replied, not moving an inch. “The girl stays with me. And you are not going near that baby.”
The ER security guard finally ambled over, looking nervous. “Sir, if he’s the father…”
“He’s not!” Maya screamed from behind Ethan’s legs. “He hurt Mama! He pushed her down the stairs!”
The entire waiting room went dead silent. The nurse behind the desk froze, her hand hovering over the telephone.
Richard’s face flushed a violent red. “She’s in shock. She’s traumatized and making things up!” He lunged forward, reaching out to grab Maya’s arm.
He never made it. With lightning speed, Ethan grabbed Richard’s wrist, twisting it just enough to make the man gasp in pain. Ethan’s eyes were ice-cold.
“If you touch her,” Ethan whispered so only Richard could hear, “I will buy the building you live in, tear it down with you inside, and pave over the rubble. Back. Off.”
Ethan shoved Richard backward, then pulled out his phone, dialing his Chief Legal Counsel. “Harvey. I’m at St. Anne’s ER. I need you here in ten minutes with an emergency injunction for temporary custody of two minors. Call Judge Miller, wake him up if you have to. And get a private security detail to this hospital immediately.”
Richard paled, suddenly realizing the magnitude of the man he was dealing with. “You can’t do this! I have paperwork!”
“I have unlimited capital and the best lawyers in the state,” Ethan shot back. “Let’s see who wins.”
Just then, Dr. Evans, a pediatrician, stepped out from the curtained bay. He looked grim. “Who is responsible for the infant, Lily?”
Both Ethan and Richard turned.
“I am,” Richard said quickly. “I need to sign her out. We are transferring her to a private clinic.”
“She’s not stable enough for a transfer,” Dr. Evans frowned. “She has a severe blood infection, but more concerningly, we found an underlying genetic blood disorder. It’s rare. We need a biological parent’s consent for the specific transfusion protocol.”
Ethan felt a strange electrical charge run down his spine. “What kind of genetic disorder?”
“Kell antigen syndrome,” the doctor replied.
May you like
Ethan stopped breathing. He had Kell antigen syndrome. It was incredibly rare. He turned slowly to look at Maya, who was staring up at him with those familiar hazel eyes. Then he looked at the pediatric bay.
Neither of these girls belonged to Richard. They were his.
