Chapter 10 - The Sterling Legacy
Evelyn stared at Eleanor in absolute shock, unable to comprehend the matriarch's sudden betrayal of Isabella.
"Go, before the rest of her hit squad comes back!" Eleanor snapped, reloading the fallen mercenary's rifle.
Evelyn grabbed the keys, scooped up Noah, and ran through the hidden storm drain at the back of the cellar.
She heard heavy gunfire erupting behind her, praying that Alexander was still alive in the chaotic woods.
She found the black armored SUV hidden beneath a camouflage net just as Eleanor had promised.
As she strapped Noah into the backseat, the driver's side door suddenly flung open.
Alexander collapsed into the driver's seat, covered in blood and mud, but miraculously alive.
"Drive!" he yelled, and Evelyn slammed her foot onto the gas pedal, tearing out of the forest.
They drove for ten straight hours, crossing state lines until they reached an FBI field office Alexander trusted.
With the tracker disabled and Alexander's massive wealth mobilized, the tide completely turned overnight.
Federal agents raided the Sterling estate, arresting Isabella as she tried to flee the country with stolen bearer bonds.
Eleanor survived the shootout in the woods but willingly turned herself in for her past crimes.
Six months later, the sun shone brightly over a beautiful private island in the Caribbean.
Evelyn stood at the altar in a breathtaking white gown, no longer a maid, but a true queen.
Alexander smiled warmly as tiny Noah ran down the aisle, carrying two solid gold wedding rings.
"I choose you, Evelyn, today and for the rest of my life," Alexander promised, slipping the ring onto her finger.
They kissed passionately as their close friends and loyal staff cheered loudly.
The nightmare was finally over, and they had built a true, loving family out of the ashes of deception.
Noah giggled happily, safe in the arms of his real mother and the father who loved him endlessly.
Later that evening, as the wedding reception died down, a waiter handed Alexander a gift-wrapped silver box.
Inside was a cheap prepaid burner phone that began ringing the exact second the box was opened.
May you like
Alexander answered it cautiously, hearing a distorted, terrifyingly familiar voice on the other end.
"You found your beautiful son, Lex, but it seems you completely forgot about his twin brother."
