Chapter 15 - The AftermathJulian stared down at the body of his treacherous uncle for a long, silent moment, feeling absolutely nothing but cold closure.
He holstered his weapon and turned to Marcus, who was already directing the cleanup crew that had arrived via the secure service elevator.
“Make sure the police department receives the proper donations to look the other way,” Julian instructed smoothly.
“I want all of this completely erased by sunrise.”
“Understood, Boss,” Marcus nodded respectfully.
“And Elias?”
“Take him to the incinerator at the docks,” Julian ordered coldly.
“He doesn't get a family funeral.”
With the threat permanently neutralized, the adrenaline finally began to leave Julian’s system, replaced by a bone-deep exhaustion.
He walked back down the corridor toward the medical wing, his heavy boots leaving faint, bloody footprints on the expensive rugs.
When he opened the doors to the suite, the stark, sterile quiet of the room felt like a different universe compared to the warzone outside.
Elise was sleeping soundly on the bed, looking incredibly pale but peaceful, an IV line steadily dripping fluids into her arm.
Across the room, Dr. Aris was gently monitoring the baby, who was resting comfortably inside a high-tech, climate-controlled incubator.
Julian walked quietly over to the machine, placing his large hand gently against the clear, warm plastic.
He stared down at his son, watching the tiny chest rise and fall with perfectly even breaths.
This tiny, fragile creature had completely shattered the impenetrable armor Julian had worn his entire life.
He realized in that quiet moment that his empire of fear and violence meant absolutely nothing compared to the sleeping woman and child in this room.
Dr. Aris stepped back, offering Julian a reassuring smile.
“They are both stable, Mr. Sterling,” the doctor whispered.
“She needs a few weeks of strict bed rest, and the baby will need to stay in the incubator for a few days to gain weight, but they are perfectly healthy.”
Julian let out a long, shaky breath, the heavy weight of the world finally lifting off his broad shoulders.
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“Thank you, Aris,” Julian said sincerely.
He pulled a chair up to Elise’s bedside, sat down heavily, and took her sleeping hand in his, vowing to never let her go again.
