Chapter 6 - The Tiger Awakes
Liam was stabilized within twenty minutes. The epinephrine had reversed the anaphylaxis, and he was now resting comfortably in a private pediatric recovery suite under the influence of antihistamines, an IV drip hydrating his small body.
Alexander sat in a rigid plastic chair beside the bed, holding Liam’s tiny hand in both of his. He had refused to leave the room even to wash the sweat and tears from his face. Every time Liam shifted in his sleep, Alexander flinched, adjusting the blanket with excruciating care.
The door clicked open, and Marcus stepped inside, carrying a tablet and a fresh change of clothes for Alexander.
“The DNA results came through from the private lab in Athens via expedited digital courier,” Marcus said quietly, not wanting to wake the boy.
Alexander didn't look up from Liam’s face. “Read it.”
“99.98% genetic match,” Marcus stated. “Liam Alexander Vance is legally, biologically, and indisputably your son.”
A long, shuddering breath left Alexander’s lungs. He leaned down and kissed Liam’s small knuckles. “I never doubted it. The moment I held him in that car... I knew.”
“There’s more,” Marcus continued, his expression hardening. “Victoria’s press release backfired. Clara’s corporate clients in New York—the boutique accounting firm she built from scratch—just released an open letter defending her character. And our investigators found where Victoria is hiding. She didn't fly back to New York. She chartered a private helicopter from Rhodes to Athens. She’s meeting with Julian Croft at the King George Hotel tonight.”
I stood up from the window sill, my exhaustion evaporating, replaced by a sudden, razor-sharp clarity. “Julian Croft is in Athens?”
“He flew in from Singapore yesterday,” Marcus confirmed. “Our forensic team intercepted encrypted messages between them. Victoria realized the audio recording on Eleanor’s drive was enough to indict her for manslaughter and grand larceny. She’s trying to pay Croft another million dollars to sign an affidavit claiming Eleanor coerced him into lying on the tape. If she can invalidate the audio evidence, she thinks she can survive the board vote.”
“She won't survive the night,” Alexander said, his voice dropping into a register so dark and cold it made the hair on my arms stand up. He slowly stood up from the chair, releasing Liam’s hand with immense reluctance.
“Alexander, wait,” I said, stepping in front of him.
He looked at me, his eyes burning with vengeance. “She almost killed my mother, Clara. She robbed me of five years of my son’s life. And now she is trying to drag your name through the gutter again. I am going to destroy her. I will strip her of every cent, every contact, and every shred of freedom she possesses.”
“You will,” I said, resting my hand firmly on his chest. “But not like an enraged animal. You’re not going to let her play the victim of a vindictive billionaire ex-husband. We do this by the book. We do this in the light where she cannot hide.”
Alexander looked down at my hand on his chest, then up into my eyes. “What are you proposing?”
“She expects you to send lawyers. She expects an angry lawsuit,” I said, a cold smile touching my lips for the first time in days. “She doesn't expect me. She thinks I am still the timid, broken girl who left court with a cardboard box. Let’s go to Athens, Alexander. Let’s show Victoria Hayes what happens when you try to steal a mother’s life.”
Alexander stared at me, the dark cloud over his face parting to reveal an expression of pure, unadulterated admiration.
May you like
“Marcus,” Alexander commanded, his voice ringing with absolute certainty. “Ready the helicopter. Have the Greek Hellenic Police fraud division and our legal team meet us at the King George Hotel. It’s time to settle the bill.”
***
