Chapter 2 - The Silent Safe Haven
The master bedroom of the estate was filled with the soft, warm glow of a crackling fireplace. Dr. Evans, the Sterling family’s private physician, worked with quiet efficiency, cleaning the wounds on Ava's hand and running a portable ultrasound machine over her belly.
Lucas sat on the edge of the mattress, holding Ava's uninjured hand, his eyes never leaving her pale face.
"The baby’s heartbeat is strong and steady, Mr. Sterling," Dr. Evans finally spoke, offering a reassuring smile as he wiped the gel from Ava’s stomach. "The stress caused some mild contractions, but they are subsiding now. As for her hand, there are no broken bones, fortunately, but the soft tissue damage is severe. She will need to rest completely for the next few weeks."
"Thank you, Doctor. Ensure the medical team stays on standby downstairs for the next forty-eight hours," Lucas ordered.
Once the doctor left, the room fell into a heavy, peaceful silence. Ava lay back against the silk pillows, her breathing finally normal. She looked at Lucas, her eyes misty with unshed tears.
"You came back early," she whispered, her voice cracked and small. "You were supposed to be in London until next week."
"I had a bad feeling," Lucas said, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss against her forehead. His hand brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face. "I looked at the estate security feed from my laptop at the airport. The moment I saw Chloe entering the East Wing, I boarded the private jet immediately. Ava... I am so sorry. I promised to protect you, and I failed."
"It wasn't your fault," Ava said, squeezing his hand. "Your mother told me it was a mandatory family dinner. I didn't know Chloe would be here. She... she wanted me to sign a paper relinquishing the child. When I refused, she lost her mind."
Lucas’s jaw clenched so hard a muscle twitched. His mother, Rebecca Sterling, had been trying to orchestrate his life for thirty-two years. She despised Ava because Ava came from a modest background—a kindergarten teacher with no political or financial backing. Rebecca wanted Chloe because the union would create a monopoly in the shipping industry.
"My mother will pay for this too," Lucas murmured, his voice laced with an icy promise of retribution. "They think because they have wealth, they can treat human lives like disposable toys. They don't know that I’ve spent the last six months quietly transferring the Sterling assets out of my mother's trust."
Suddenly, the phone on the nightstand rang. The caller ID showed [REBECCA STERLING].
Lucas picked it up, his face devoid of any emotion. He didn't say hello.
"Lucas!" his mother’s sharp, aristocratic voice barked through the speaker. "What is the meaning of this?! Chloe’s father just called me screaming! He says you had security drag his daughter out like a common criminal! You restore that engagement right now, or I will strip you of your position as CEO of Sterling Enterprises!"
"Try it," Lucas said calmly.
"What did you say?" Rebecca gasped.
May you like
"I said, try it, Mother. Look at your bank accounts tomorrow morning. Look at the board structures. You’ll find that you no longer own the chair you’re sitting on. And if you or Chloe ever come near my wife again, the next time we speak will be through a glass pane in a visiting room."
He hung up before she could scream, turning off the phone entirely. He looked back at Ava, his expression instantly melting into pure tenderness. "From now on, no one touches you. I’m taking you to our private island tomorrow. The war starts now, but you will only see the peace."
