Chapter 3: The Breaking Point
Chapter 3: The Breaking Point
The standoff in the study grew tenser by the second. Victoria’s arrogance was warring with her survival instincts. She picked up her phone, likely trying to contact her father to verify my claim about the St. Claire account.
"If you are bluffing, Arthur, I will make sure you never see those boys again," she hissed, her fingers flying across the screen.
Suddenly, a muffled cry echoed from upstairs, followed by the heavy thud of something falling. My heart skipped a beat. Luke and Leo.
Without a word to Victoria, I bolted out of the study and sprinted up the stairs, ignoring her screams for me to come back. I slammed open the nursery door.
Emily had managed to shift herself toward the edge of the bed, attempting to reach a pair of grooming scissors left on the changing table nearby. In doing so, the mattress had tilted, and she was hanging precariously, her raw wrists straining against the torn linen ties. The twins were screaming, terrified by the sudden movement and the pain it was causing their caregiver.
"Emily! Don't move!" I rushed to the side of the bed.
"I tried... I tried to get the scissors to cut the harness," she sobbed, her face pale from exhaustion and blood loss. "My son... I got a text alert before she took my phone. His vitals are dropping. I need to get to St. Jude’s Hospital, Mr. Cole. Please!"
"I’ve got you. Hold still." I reached into my pocket, pulled out my pocketknife, and carefully sliced through the tight linen bindings around her wrists. The moment her hands were free, she collapsed forward, cradling my twins tightly against her chest, weeping violently.
I carefully unbuckled the infant safety harness, lifting Leo into my arms while Emily held Luke. "We’re leaving. Right now."
"You aren't going anywhere," a voice called out from the doorway.
Victoria stood there, but she was no longer alone. Two large men in dark suits—her father's private security detail—stepped into the room behind her. One of them had his hand inside his jacket, a clear threat of violence.
"You really thought a petty tech developer could outsmart my family?" Victoria said, her face twisted in malice. "Hand over the children, Arthur. And as for Emily, she’s trespassing and attempting to kidnap our sons. Secure them."
The two guards stepped forward. I pushed Emily behind me, shielding her and Luke with my body while holding Leo tightly to my chest. "Touch us, and you'll face federal kidnapping and assault charges. I have a live feed running to a federal prosecutor right now."
The guards hesitated, looking at Victoria. They were mercenaries, but they weren't stupid enough to assault a CEO with federal eyes on him.
"What are you waiting for?" Victoria screamed, losing her composure entirely. "Grab them!"
Before they could make a move, the loud, piercing wail of sirens shattered the night air. Red and blue lights began flashing through the nursery windows, illuminating the room in chaotic patterns. The sound of multiple car doors slamming and heavy footsteps echoing from the courtyard below signaled that Marcus’s promised help had arrived.
"State Police! Open up!" a megaphone boomed from outside.
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Victoria’s face drained of color. The guards immediately stepped back, raising their hands away from their jackets.
"It’s over, Victoria," I said, my voice steady and cold. "You lose."
