Chapter 4 - The Midnight Escape
Dr. Aris looked panicked as Julian stepped between him and the bassinet. "Mr. Vance, please, I'm just trying to follow court orders—"
"Show me the order," Julian demanded, his voice echoing with undeniable authority.
"It's... it's at the front desk. Your cousin Dominic just arrived with the police."
I threw off the covers, ignoring the throbbing pain in my bruised legs. I grabbed the clothes Sarah had smuggled in and dressed in seconds. "Julian, grab Lily. We are not playing by their rules anymore."
Julian didn't hesitate. He lifted our daughter carefully, wrapping her in a warm blanket, and grabbed the diaper bag. He turned to Dr. Aris, his eyes blazing. "If you try to stop us, I will personally see to it that you lose your medical license and spend the rest of your life buried in lawsuits. Step aside."
The doctor, realizing he was caught between two massive threats, shrank against the wall.
We didn't take the main elevators. I knew Dominic would be waiting there. Instead, I led Julian down the service corridor—a path I had memorized from the hospital's blueprints weeks ago. We slipped through the laundry dispatch and into the underground parking garage just as the sirens began wailing in the distance.
Julian’s SUV was parked in the VIP section. We locked ourselves inside, the engine roaring to life. As we sped out of the garage, I saw Eleanor’s black town car idling near the emergency entrance, Dominic pacing furiously on his phone.
"Where are we going?" Julian asked, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. "Our house isn't safe. They'll have police waiting there."
"We aren't going home," I said, pulling the burner phone from my pocket. I dialed a number I hadn't called in two years. It rang twice before a sharp, professional voice answered.
"State Attorney's Office, Director Miller speaking."
"Miller, it's Clara," I said, staring out the window at the passing city lights. "I have a package for you. Grand theft, federal fraud, and assault. I need a safe house and a federal judge who can't be bought."
A low chuckle came through the speaker. "I was wondering when you'd get bored of being a socialite, Clara. Bring them in."
I hung up the phone and looked at Julian. He was staring at me in the rearview mirror, utterly bewildered.
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"Clara... who was that?" he asked gently.
"Julian," I said softly, reaching over to squeeze his hand. "There’s a lot about my past I haven't told you. But I promise you this: by the time the sun sets tomorrow, your mother and your cousin will never be able to hurt anyone ever again."
