Chapter 2 - Blood and Marble
The sterile white lights of the emergency room were blinding.
I lay on the gurney, hooked up to an IV and a fetal monitor, the rhythmic thump-thump, thump-thump of my twins' heartbeats filling the small trauma bay. It was the most beautiful sound in the world, a stark contrast to the ugly reality of my bruised back and the concussion throbbing in my skull.
Dr. Aris, my high-risk obstetrician, looked at the monitors, his brow furrowed. "Elena, you are incredibly lucky. The impact caused a minor placental abruption, but the bleeding has stopped. However, you are staying in this hospital until these babies are born. No exceptions."
"I understand," I rasped, gripping the edge of the bedsheets.
The door swung open, and two police officers stepped in, followed closely by Marcus, my lawyer.
"Mrs. Hayes," the older officer said gently. "We received a call from your security team. We need to take a statement regarding the assault."
Before I could speak, a commotion erupted outside the room.
"She's my wife! Get your hands off me, I have a right to see her!" Julian’s voice tore through the hospital corridor, frantic and wild.
I looked at Marcus. He nodded, stepping out of the room. Through the glass window of the door, I watched the confrontation. Julian looked like a madman. His expensive Italian suit was rumpled, his tie was gone, and his hair was standing on end. He was flanked by hospital security and David, who looked ready to break Julian's jaw.
Julian pressed his face against the glass, his eyes locking onto mine. He didn't look remorseful. He looked utterly deranged. He mouthed the words, What did you do?
I didn't flinch. I stared right back at him, my expression deadpan, and slowly raised my hand, pointing a single finger at the police officers in the room with me.
Marcus stepped back in, followed by the officers. "Mr. Hayes is demanding to speak with you regarding the hostile takeover of his company," Marcus said smoothly. "He seems to have connected the dots."
"Tell him," I said, my voice cold and loud enough for Julian to hear through the cracked door, "that Aethelgard Trust does not negotiate with domestic abusers. Officer, I am ready to give my statement. I want to press full charges for aggravated assault on a pregnant woman."
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Through the glass, I saw the exact moment Julian realized his entire life was over. The police officers outside the door turned toward him, pulling handcuffs from their belts.
Julian didn't fight. He just stared at me, his mouth open, as they read him his rights and dragged him away from the glass.
