Chapter 13 - The Unseen Enemy
Clara woke up in the middle of the night to a sound that made her blood run entirely cold. It was the distinct, heavy crunch of gravel in her driveway, followed by the soft click of a camera shutter outside her bedroom window.
She immediately sat up in bed, her heart hammering wildly against her ribs. She grabbed her phone and quickly dialed Julian’s number. Ever since the revelation of his true identity a week ago, Julian had insisted on sleeping in his truck at the end of her street to maintain a vigilant watch over the house.
Within sixty seconds, the front door unlocked, and Julian moved silently into the dark living room, his service weapon drawn and ready. Clara rushed out of the bedroom, clutching a heavy metal flashlight with shaking hands.
"There were three men entirely dressed in black," Julian whispered, peering through the small gap in the living room blinds. "They were taking detailed photographs of the house, the security system, and Violet's bedroom window. They ran when I pulled into the driveway."
Clara felt a sickening wave of absolute terror wash over her exhausted body. "Gabriel is in maximum security. Samantha is locked away. Who is doing this to us?"
Julian holstered his weapon and turned to face her, his expression grim and filled with profound guilt. "It is my mother, Clara. Victoria Vance. The news of the DNA test was supposed to be completely sealed by the federal court, but she has spies in every government agency. She knows about the baby."
Before Clara could fully process the terrifying reality of being hunted by a ruthless billionaire, loud, aggressive pounding echoed from the front door. Red and blue police lights instantly flooded the living room with chaotic strobes.
Julian quickly opened the door to find two local police officers standing next to a stern woman carrying a heavy leather briefcase. Clara recognized the situation immediately; it was a high-level agent from Child Protective Services.
"Clara Linwood? We received an anonymous, highly detailed tip regarding child endangerment and illegal narcotics at this residence," the CPS worker announced loudly, holding up a federal search warrant signed by a superior judge.
Clara gasped in absolute horror. She had never touched a drug in her entire life. She was a fiercely dedicated mother who had just barely survived a nightmare.
"This is a completely fabricated warrant!" Julian shouted, stepping in front of Clara to block the door. "I am a decorated detective, you cannot barge in here based on a fraudulent, anonymous tip!"
The police officers ignored Julian entirely and forcefully pushed past him, marching directly toward the kitchen. Within seconds, one of the officers opened a lower cabinet near the sink and pulled out a large, heavily taped plastic bag filled with white powder.
"Look what we have here," the officer sneered, tossing the bag onto the kitchen counter.
Clara screamed that it was planted, that the men outside the window must have broken in to frame her. But the CPS worker simply shook her head in complete, fabricated disappointment.
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"Given the severity of these charges and the ongoing federal case with your ex-husband, I am officially removing both children from this home immediately," the worker declared coldly.
Julian lunged forward, but the police officers instantly drew their tasers. Clara fell to her knees, weeping in pure, unadulterated agony as she realized Victoria Vance was completely destroying her life without ever showing her face.
