Chapter 7 - A Mother's Strength
The pain of the contraction was so intense it forced me to my knees on the concrete.
I gasped for air, clutching my massive belly as the baby shifted violently.
I could not have this baby here, not while my father was being tortured upstairs.
I forced myself to stand up, biting my lip so hard I tasted blood.
I walked into the empty lobby, my wet shoes squeaking loudly on the marble floor.
Two armed guards patted me down, taking my phone but failing to notice my physical agony.
They shoved me into the private elevator and hit the button for the penthouse.
Another massive contraction hit me inside the elevator, dropping me to the floor again.
I breathed through it, remembering that my child's life depended on my strength right now.
The elevator doors chimed and opened to Damon's luxurious office.
Damon was pouring himself a glass of whiskey, completely relaxed.
My father was tied to a chair in the center of the room, looking incredibly weak.
"You look terrible, Clara," Damon mocked, taking a slow sip of his drink.
"Where is the flash drive?"
I leaned heavily against the mahogany desk, trying to hide the tremor in my legs.
"I don't have it," I lied, keeping my voice as steady as possible.
"I gave it to the police before I came here."
Damon laughed, a cold, empty sound that chilled my bones.
"The police chief works for me, Clara, you have absolutely nothing."
He pulled a silver revolver from his desk drawer and aimed it directly at my father's chest.
"Sign the custody papers now, or I shoot him," Damon ordered.
I reached for the pen, stalling for every possible second.
I needed Damon to confess to the poisoning and the kidnapping on the hidden wire I was wearing.
"Did you poison me just for the patent money?" I asked loudly, ensuring the microphone picked it up.
Damon smirked, stepping closer to me with the gun.
"I poisoned you because I hated you, Clara, the money was just a bonus."
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He suddenly grabbed my collar and ripped my shirt open, exposing the flashing red light of the wire.
"Did you really think I was that stupid?" Damon whispered, pressing the gun to my pregnant belly.
