Chapter 7 - Shadows on the Terrace
With Richard’s firm support under her arm, Clara managed to stand upright. Her legs were shaky, her lower back throbbed with every small movement, but the strength returning to her body was fueled by something stronger than physical pain. She held the newborn snugly against her collarbone, rocking him gently until his shrill cries slowly subsided into small, shuddering hiccups.
"Can you walk to the car?" Richard asked quietly, keeping his body positioned between Clara and the motionless red-haired woman standing behind them.
"Yes," Clara murmured, her voice finding its steady, grounded register for the first time all morning. "I can walk."
They began to move slowly down the long corridor toward the open double doors leading out to the pool terrace. The warm, natural sunlight streaming in from the patio felt like a physical relief after the cold, suffocating elegance of the marble hall.
Behind them, Victoria remained standing in the center of the hallway, a solitary figure in burgundy surrounded by polished stone and golden light. She watched them leave, her chest heaving with silent, toxic fury. "You won't get out of the state!" she screamed after them, her voice echoing hollowly through the empty mansion. "I'll call the police! I'll report both of you!"
Richard didn't bother to respond. As they stepped out through the glass doors onto the travertine tiles of the poolside deck, he pulled a small black smartphone from his suit pocket, tapped the screen twice, and brought it to his ear.
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"Frank?" Richard said into the receiver, his tone authoritative and cold. "This is Richard. Cancel the legal team's retaining orders for Victoria. Lock her personal access codes to the family accounts immediately, and tell security at the main gate to open the barriers for my vehicle. If she tries to follow us, detain her."
He ended the call without waiting for a response, slipping the phone back into his pocket as he guided Clara along the edge of the blue pool water toward the driveway where a sleek black sedan sat idling.
