Chapter 3 - The Fall of the House of Sterling
"That's deepfake technology!" Marcus roared, his voice cracking with panic as he pointed a trembling finger at the officer. "AI-generated trash! Anyone can fake a video these days! You can't arrest me based on digital manipulation!"
"We aren't arresting you based on digital manipulation yet, sir," the sergeant replied with chilling calm. "We're detaining you for questioning regarding felony domestic aggravated assault, unlawful imprisonment, and endangerment of an unborn child. Turn around and place your hands behind your back."
"Don't you dare touch me!" Marcus thundered, lunging backward toward the door. "Do you know who my father is? Sterling Architectural Group built half the police stations in this county! I'll have your badge by morning—"
He didn't finish the sentence. The two uniform officers moved with practiced synchronization, pinning his arms behind his back and snapping the cold steel cuffs around his wrists with a sharp clack.
As they dragged him backward toward the hallway, Marcus locked eyes with me one last time. His face was purple with rage, veins bulging at his temples.
"You'll ruin everything, Chloe!" he screamed, his voice echoing down the corridor as security held back a cluster of curious onlookers. "You think you can survive without me? You'll be begging on the streets by next week! You're nothing without the Sterling name!"
The heavy door clicked shut, sealing away his venom.
The room exhaled a collective breath. The nurses looked at me with profound, heartbreaking pity, while Maya rushed to the side of the bed, burying her face in my shoulder as silent tears finally broke through her armor.
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"He's gone," Maya sobbed softly. "He's really gone, Chloe. You're safe."
"For now," I whispered, resting my hand back over my stomach where our baby kicked—a fierce, steady thud that mirrored my own heartbeat. "But Eleanor is still out there. And she has the keys to the entire Sterling empire."
