Chapter 17 - The Order
The emergency order came at 6:42 a.m.
I had been in labor for three hours.
A hospital administrator entered with two attorneys and a face like someone attending a funeral.
“Mrs. Cole, I’m sorry.”
Adrian stood.
“No.”
The administrator swallowed.
“There is a temporary protective order concerning the child upon delivery.”
I stared at him.
“He’s not even born.”
“The order is contingent.”
Adrian took the papers.
His hands shook as he read.
The fake psychiatric assessment was attached.
So was the fake DNA report.
So was a statement claiming Adrian had a history of violent behavior.
Also fake.
They had built a case against both of us.
The order named Charles Vale as emergency guardian under the trust.
My contraction monitor climbed.
I could hear my own breathing.
Adrian looked at me.
“Emily.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
The administrator said, “The hospital is legally obligated—”
“No.”
“I understand this is upsetting.”
“You understand nothing.”
The room went silent.
I sat forward despite the pain.
“That man tried to drug me.”
“We have no verified finding—”
“He forged my medical records.”
“We have no verified—”
“My brother is alive because Charles Vale spent eleven years hiding him.”
Good.
Let him be lost.
I pointed at the door.
He left.
Adrian looked at me.
“That was hot.”
I stared at him.
“I’m in labor.”
I almost smiled.
Victor entered with two federal prosecutors.
She held a laptop.
“The order is being challenged.”
“Everyone.”
A live court hearing filled the screen.
One prosecutor was explaining the conflict of interest.
Then Michael appeared on video from another room.
Payment records appeared.
The judge’s face changed.
The order was suspended.
Not because it was over.
Then another contraction hit.
Her expression sharpened.
Adrian went pale.
“He’s coming.”
Victor stayed behind the line.
Michael stood beside my mother in the hallway.
Fourteen minutes later, our son was born.
Small.
Angry.
His cry broke me open.
The nurse placed him against my chest.
“Hi.”
“Hi, buddy.”
Not medical alarms.
The lights above the delivery suite flashed red.
“Code Silver. Infant security breach.”
The nurse grabbed my baby.
I screamed.
May you like
Adrian turned toward the door.
And through the small glass window, we saw Charles Vale walking down the hallway in a doctor’s coat.
