Chapter 2 - The Arrival of the King
I screamed in absolute terror as the cold steel hovered over my daughter's delicate skin.
Marcus and his tactical team instantly drew their weapons and aimed them at Eleanor.
"Put the weapon down immediately," Marcus ordered with a terrifyingly calm voice.
Eleanor's hands trembled, but her eyes were filled with desperate madness.
"If anyone takes another step, I will scar this child for life!" she shrieked.
Dominic stared at his mother in complete disbelief.
"Mother, what on earth are you doing?" he asked frantically.
"I am securing our future, Dominic!" she yelled back.
Chloe backed away toward the wall, crying hysterically and begging to leave.
I tried to force myself out of the hospital bed, but the agonizing pain in my abdomen pulled me back down.
"Please do not hurt her," I begged through a stream of warm tears.
"Then call off your security dogs," Eleanor demanded.
The heavy tension in the room was suddenly broken by the sound of slow, methodical clapping.
The crowd of tactical guards parted respectfully to clear a path.
My father, Arthur Sterling, stepped into the hospital room.
He radiated absolute power and wealth, wearing a custom black suit and a platinum watch.
I had not spoken to my father in five years because he had vehemently disapproved of my marriage to Dominic.
He had been right about everything.
Arthur did not even look at Dominic or Chloe.
His piercing gray eyes locked directly onto Eleanor and the scalpel she held.
"You must be the woman who raised this pathetic excuse for a man," Arthur said smoothly.
"Stay back, Arthur!" Eleanor warned, her voice cracking with fear.
Arthur chuckled darkly and pulled a sleek tablet from his briefcase.
He pressed a button and held the screen up for Eleanor to see.
The screen displayed a live security feed of Eleanor's husband being handcuffed by federal agents.
"I just destroyed your husband's illegal gambling ring," Arthur announced casually.
"If you drop that blade, I will pay for his defense attorneys."
"If you accidentally scratch my granddaughter, I will ensure your entire bloodline is erased from existence."
Eleanor stared at the screen as the remaining color drained from her face.
Her hand began to shake so violently that she dropped the scalpel onto the floor.
Marcus instantly lunged forward and pinned Eleanor against the hospital wall.
I let out a massive sigh of relief as I thought my daughter was finally safe.
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But in the chaos of Marcus securing Eleanor, Chloe saw a desperate opportunity.
She snatched the baby from Dominic's arms and bolted out the door into the crowded hospital corridor.
