CHAPTER 4 – A HEARTBEAT IN DANGER
CHAPTER 4 – A HEARTBEAT IN DANGER
Everything changed in less than thirty seconds.
The cheerful atmosphere inside the clinic disappeared.
Machines began beeping.
Nurses rushed into the examination room.
Simone instinctively held her stomach.
"My baby..."
The doctor entered almost at a run.
"Let's get her onto the bed."
An ultrasound probe pressed against Simone's abdomen.
Nobody spoke.
Everyone stared at the monitor.
The heartbeat appeared.
Fast.
Too fast.
Then suddenly...
It slowed.
The doctor's expression changed.
"Blood pressure?"
"Eighty over fifty."
"Fetal movement?"
"Reduced."
Cameron remained near the doorway, trying not to interfere.
But every instinct told him something was terribly wrong.
The obstetrician finally turned toward Simone.
"You've experienced significant emotional trauma."
"The baby is showing signs of distress."
Simone's breathing became uneven.
"Is she okay?"
"We're going to do everything we can."
Not the answer any mother wants to hear.
Across town...
Tiffany Blake lounged in the penthouse, convinced the worst was over.
Until her phone exploded with notifications.
Breaking Business News.
Senior Executive Removed by Rivers Industries.
Emergency Board Action Confirmed.
She clicked the article.
Her smile disappeared.
"Derek Rivers has been removed from all executive responsibilities effective immediately."
"No..."
She called Derek.
Voicemail.
Again.
Voicemail.
Again.
Nothing.
For the first time, Tiffany felt genuine fear.
If Derek lost everything...
What happened to her?
Back at the hospital, doctors prepared Simone for emergency observation.
One nurse quietly whispered to another,
"Stress like this can trigger premature labor."
Cameron's fists clenched.
Every bruise.
Every tear.
Every insult Tiffany had thrown...
Now threatened the life of an innocent child.
He stepped outside and made one phone call.
"Jennifer."
"Yes, sir?"
"I want criminal attorneys."
"Today."
"And contact Lisa Martinez."
"The flight attendant?"
"I need her sworn statement."
Jennifer paused.
"Are we pursuing civil damages?"
Cameron's voice became ice.
"No."
"We're pursuing everything."
Meanwhile, Derek finally arrived at the hospital after receiving dozens of missed calls.
He rushed toward Simone's room.
"I'm her husband."
The nurse looked at the computer.
Then back at him.
"I'm sorry."
"Mrs. Rivers has requested no visitors."
His face went blank.
"What?"
"She specifically instructed us not to admit you."
"No...there must be some mistake."
"There isn't."
The door remained closed.
For the first time in years...
Derek stood outside his own wife's room like a complete stranger.
He gently knocked.
"Simone..."
No answer.
"Please..."
Silence.
Then he heard something inside that broke him.
A tiny heartbeat echoing through the monitor.
And Simone quietly whispering to their unborn daughter,
"It's okay, sweetheart."
"Mommy's here."
"But Daddy isn't anymore."
Derek slowly lowered his head.
The words hit harder than any punch.
Behind him, Cameron appeared at the end of the hallway.
The brothers locked eyes.
Neither spoke.
Neither needed to.
One had protected his family.
May you like
The other had destroyed his.
And this was only the beginning.
