Chapter 12 - The Crumbling Empire
The exhaustion pulled me into a deep, dreamless sleep, but I was violently awakened a few hours later by the sound of shouting.
I shot up in the hospital bed, wincing at the sharp pain in my lower body, and looked toward the heavy oak door.
Julian was standing in the doorway, his face purple with absolute rage as he screamed into his sleek cell phone.
"What do you mean they are raiding the downtown offices? Who authorized a federal warrant!" he roared, completely losing his polished composure.
My heart leaped into my throat, a sudden burst of pure adrenaline completely masking the physical pain of childbirth.
Sarah had done it; she had delivered the documents, and the FBI was officially tearing down his empire piece by piece.
Julian slammed his phone against the wall, shattering the expensive screen into a dozen pieces in his blind fury.
He turned toward me, his eyes entirely wild, like a cornered animal realizing the trap had just snapped shut.
"You did this, didn't you?" he hissed, stalking toward my bed with his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
"I don't know what you are talking about, Julian," I lied smoothly, forcing my face to remain perfectly blank and confused.
Before he could reach out and strike me, the door flew open, and one of his massive private security guards rushed in.
"Sir, the federal agents are freezing your corporate accounts, and there is a warrant out for your immediate arrest," the guard panted.
Julian froze, the absolute reality of his destruction finally crashing down on his arrogant shoulders.
"Get the car ready out back, we are leaving the country right now," Julian barked, pointing a shaking finger at me.
"Get up, Clara, we are taking the baby and flying to the private airstrip, you have exactly two minutes."
He stormed out into the hallway to coordinate his escape, leaving me completely alone in the room.
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I knew that if I got into that car with him, neither my baby nor I would ever be seen alive again.
I violently ripped the IV line from my hand, completely ignoring the blood, and threw my legs over the side of the bed.
