Chapter 5 - The War Commences
I slammed the door in Constance's face and engaged the deadbolt.
My heart hammered against my ribs as her violent threat echoed in my mind.
I immediately called the police and reported the violation of the restraining order.
By the time the patrol car arrived, Constance and her black car had vanished into the night.
The officers took a report, but they admitted there was little they could do without physical evidence of her threat.
I spent the entire night awake, watching the street from the nursery window while Henry slept.
The next morning, I drove to Tessa's office to finalize the strategy for our upcoming hearing.
Tessa was furious when I told her about the bribe and the death threat.
She advised me to hire private security, warning that desperate people with money were incredibly dangerous.
I agreed and authorized her to pull funds from my own savings to hire a guard.
When I arrived at work the following day, my security badge flashed red at the turnstile.
The security guard awkwardly told me that my clearance had been temporarily suspended.
I was escorted directly to the human resources department.
The HR director slid a thick manila folder across her desk.
She informed me that an anonymous tip had been filed with the state medical board.
The tip alleged that I had used my position to forge genetic records and steal confidential patient data.
I stared at her in utter shock.
Constance had not just threatened my life; she was actively trying to destroy my career and my credibility.
If I lost my job and my medical clearance, the judge might actually grant Edmund custody of Henry.
I told the director that the records were obtained legally through a court subpoena.
She apologized but stated that I was placed on unpaid administrative leave pending a full federal investigation.
I walked out of the hospital feeling like the ground had been ripped out from under me.
I drove home in a daze, trying to figure out how to counter Constance's massive resources.
When I unlocked my front door, I immediately noticed the smell of expensive cologne.
Calvin was standing in my living room.
He was holding a printed copy of the genetic lineage report I had left on the kitchen counter.
His hands were trembling violently as he read the words proving Edmund was not his father.
I asked him how he got past the new locks I had installed.
He looked up at me, his eyes filled with a terrifying mixture of rage and betrayal.
He did not look like the weak, indecisive man I had married.
He looked exactly like his mother.
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He slowly tore the genetic report into tiny pieces and let them fall to the floor.
He told me that his mother had warned him I would try to forge documents to ruin their family.
