Chapter 3 - THE ARRIVAL
The flashing red and blue lights strobed through the living room windows, painting the immaculate walls in frantic colors.
Eleanor stood up, her cold demeanor fracturing. "Carter? What is happening? Did you call the police?"
"No," he said, staring at the front door. "I didn't."
The heavy oak door didn't just open. It was thrown wide, crashing against the entryway wall.
Two paramedics rushed in, carrying equipment, but they weren't alone. Behind them came two uniformed police officers.
And behind them, taking up the entire doorway, was my father.
Robert Sterling didn't look like the simple, blue-collar man Carter had always imagined. He wore a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, his silver hair immaculate, his jaw set in a line of pure granite. He exuded an aura of absolute, terrifying control.
"In the kitchen," my father commanded, pointing.
The paramedics rushed past Carter, ignoring him completely, and dropped to their knees beside me.
"Ma'am, I'm Dave," one said, immediately checking my pulse and assessing the blood on the floor. "We've got you. We're going to get you and the baby to the hospital right now."
Carter finally snapped out of his shock. "Hey! This is my house! You can't just barge in here. I am a licensed attorney in this state!"
One of the police officers turned toward Carter, resting a hand casually on his duty belt. "Sir, step back."
"I will not step back! She is my wife. She fell. This is a domestic matter."
My father moved.
He didn't run. He walked slowly, deliberately, until he was standing inches from Carter. He was a full head taller than my husband, and the physical presence of the man was overwhelming.
"Carter," my father said softly.
Carter swallowed hard. "Look, Bob—"
"It's Judge Sterling," my father corrected, his voice dangerously low. "Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. And right now, I am stepping outside of my jurisdiction to act as a father."
Carter stopped breathing.
Eleanor let out a sharp gasp, her hand flying to her throat. "Judge...?"
"The D.A.'s office," my father continued, his eyes locked onto Carter's terrified face. "Your uncle is Richard Vance, correct? I play golf with Richard. I confirmed his nomination to the ethics committee last year. I imagine Richard will be very interested to hear why you prevented my daughter from calling an ambulance while she was miscarrying his nephew."
"I... I didn't..." Carter stammered, shrinking backward.
"Officer," my father said without breaking eye contact with Carter.
"Yes, Your Honor?" the officer replied instantly.
"Arrest him. Assault on a pregnant woman, unlawful restraint, and reckless endangerment."
"Wait!" Eleanor shrieked, rushing forward. "You can't do this! She's lying! She attacked him!"
My father finally looked at Eleanor. His gaze swept over her immaculate clothes, her pristine living room, and the cold, unfeeling expression she wore like armor.
"Madam," he said, his voice laced with utter disgust. "If you speak again, I will have you arrested as an accessory. Sit down."
Eleanor opened her mouth, looked at the police officers, and slowly, silently, sat back down.
May you like
The paramedics lifted me onto the stretcher. The pain was still blinding, but as they wheeled me past my father, he reached out and took my hand.
"I've got you, sweetheart," he whispered, the icy judge vanishing, replaced by the father I had missed so desperately. "You never have to see them again."
