Chapter 1 - THE GATES OF SAINT AURELIA“Call Security on My Ex-Husband!”
The heavy double doors of the Saint Aurelia Neonatal Intensive Care Unit burst open with a resounding thud that echoed off the sterile glass walls. Dominic didn’t even have time to turn his head before six imposing men in dark tactical suits, led by the hospital’s head of executive security, flooded the room.
Dominic’s face twitched. He smoothed the lapels of his tailored charcoal jacket, trying to maintain his aura of corporate dominance. "What is the meaning of this? I am Dominic Bennett, CEO of Bennett Innovations. You are disturbing my family."
"You are no longer family," a cold, thunderous voice reverberated from the doorway.
An elderly man stepped into the room, leaning lightly on a custom mahogany cane with a silver lion's head handle. Arthur Vance. The legendary titan of global logistics, energy, and private healthcare—and sole owner of the Saint Aurelia Healthcare Network.
Dominic’s breath hitched. His eyes widened in sheer panic as he recognized the man whose picture adorned every business quarterly in the western hemisphere. "Mr... Mr. Vance? What are you doing in a public NICU?"
"Public?" Arthur’s laughter was devoid of warmth. "This entire medical center bears my mother’s name. And the woman you just threatened while her body is still healing from emergency surgery is my only granddaughter and the sole heir to the Vance Empire."
Natalie’s face drained of color. She instinctively pulled my ivory cashmere coat tighter around herself, but Arthur’s sharp gaze pinned her to the floor.
"Security," Arthur commanded calmly, not even glancing at Dominic. "Remove this trespassing coward from my property. And as for that coat..." Arthur’s eyes flicked to Natalie. "That coat was hand-woven for my granddaughter in Milan with bespoke gold-thread embroidery inside the lining. Taking it constitutes grand larceny. Strip it off her now, or I will have the district attorney file federal charges before you reach the elevator."
Natalie let out a humiliated squeal as two female security officers stepped forward. Within seconds, the cashmere coat was stripped from her shoulders, leaving her shivering in a cheap bodycon dress. Dominic tried to step in, but two six-foot-four guards pinned his arms behind his back.
"Audrey!" Dominic screamed as he was hauled toward the doors, his polished composure completely shattered. "Audrey, talk to me! We can discuss this! You can't do this to me!"
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I slowly stood up from my chair beside Liam and Chloe’s incubators, holding the signed divorce folder in my hand. I walked right up to him, looking into his terrified eyes.
"You said I was on my own, Dominic," I whispered, my voice dripping with icy absolute clarity. "Now, watch how I walk."
