Chapter 7 - The Devil's Bargain
I slowly released my grip on Julian's throat, my hands shaking with suppressed violence.
He straightened his tie and brushed off his suit jacket as if nothing had happened.
The doctor quickly ushered Julian into the testing room to confirm the genetic match.
I stood in the hallway with Grace, the silence between us completely ruined by the horrific truth.
She had been violated by a phantom, a ghost wearing my own face.
She cried softly, apologizing over and over for something that wasn't her fault.
I wrapped my arms around her, realizing she was as much a victim of my family's twisted secrets as I was.
I swore to her that I would never let Julian or my mother hurt her again.
Twenty minutes later, Julian walked out of the lab rolling up his sleeve.
The doctor confirmed that he was a perfect biological match for the transplant.
I felt a massive wave of relief, knowing the little boy was going to survive.
But Julian did not walk toward the surgical preparation room.
He leaned against the wall and looked at his expensive watch.
He said he was willing to save his biological son, but it would come with a heavy price.
I told him I would give him all the money I had in the world.
Julian laughed, a cold, empty sound that echoed in the corridor.
He said he didn't care about my money because he was already wealthier than I was.
He looked at Grace with a sickening, possessive hunger in his eyes.
Julian stated that he wanted the family he was denied all these years.
He demanded that Grace take the children and leave the country with him tonight.
If she refused, he would walk out of the hospital and let the boy die.
Before I could react, the elevator doors at the end of the hall dinged open.
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Amelia walked out, her high heels clicking sharply on the linoleum floor.
She walked straight to Julian and kissed him deeply on the lips.
