Chapter 3 - The Sanctuary and the StormThe massive iron gates of the Vance estate swung open, allowing Ethan's black SUV to sweep up the winding gravel driveway.
For Claire, stepping out of the car felt like entering a different dimension. The sprawling stone mansion looked more like a museum than a home, surrounded by immaculate gardens and patrolled by private security. Yet, as the front doors opened, the coldness of the architecture was instantly disrupted by genuine warmth.
Housekeepers rushed forward, assisting Claire with the twins while Ethan instructed the medical wing to dispatch a pediatrician immediately.
In the grand drawing-room, Claire sat on the edge of a velvet sofa, clutching a cup of hot chamomile tea that shook in her hands.
"You're safe here, Claire," Ethan said softly, sitting opposite her. "No one will touch you, and no one will ever make you worry about where the next meal is coming from. But we need to talk about why you were running in the first place."
Claire looked down at her teacup, her reflection wavering in the liquid. "It wasn't just what you said to your friend, Ethan. After the divorce papers were signed, men started showing up at my apartment asking questions about your company's offshore accounts. I was terrified. I thought if they knew I was carrying your child, the baby would become a target."
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Ethan’s expression darkened instantly. "What men? Corporate investigators?"
"No," Claire whispered, her eyes wide with lingering terror. "They didn't wear suits. They wore unmarked jackets, and they watched my building for days. That's why I fled the city."
