Chapter 1 - The Interception
The heavy metal doors of the elevator slid open with a soft chime.
My mother, Evelyn Waverly, stepped onto the quiet maternity ward wearing a dark mink coat and a smile that always meant someone was about to suffer.
Four armed men in tailored suits flanked her, their eyes immediately scanning the corridor for threats.
I slipped the small brass key into my pocket and stepped directly into her path.
She paused, her cold blue eyes locking onto mine with a look of manufactured maternal warmth.
"Grant, darling, I heard the shocking news and came as quickly as I could," she said smoothly.
I did not move an inch, using my large frame to completely block her view of Room 418.
"Who told you she was here?" I demanded, keeping my voice dangerously low.
Evelyn waved her hand dismissively, as if my question was entirely beneath her.
"In this city, nothing happens without my knowledge, especially when it involves the Waverly name," she replied.
I took a step closer, invading her personal space until the guards nervously shifted their weight.
"This floor is closed to you," I told her firmly.
My mother’s smile vanished, replaced by the ruthless expression that had built our criminal empire.
"If that traitorous woman is carrying your children, those babies belong to the family," she whispered sharply.
I signaled with my right hand, and eight of my own security men stepped out from the stairwell.
My men outnumbered hers two to one, and they had their hands resting casually over their concealed weapons.
"Leave the hospital immediately, or I will have my men carry you out," I warned her.
Evelyn looked at my heavily armed guards, calculating the odds before taking a graceful step backward.
"You are making a terrible mistake by trusting that woman again, Grant," she threatened softly.
She turned and walked back into the elevator, the heavy doors closing between us.
I exhaled a breath I didn’t realize I was holding and turned to face Room 418.
Nurse June Harper gave me a terrified nod and unlocked the wooden door.
I pushed the door open, my heart hammering against my ribs at the thought of seeing my sons.
May you like
The room was dimly lit, but I could clearly see Mara sitting up in the hospital bed.
Before I could speak, Mara raised her hand and pointed a silver pistol directly at my chest.
