Chapter 5 - A Desperate Move
Three weeks had passed since the press conference. The Carver estate was peaceful once more, but the security had been doubled. Hannah’s pregnancy had entered its eighth month, and she spent her days resting in the lush gardens, reading with Ben, and enjoying the quiet moments with Daniel, who had made it a point to come home early every single day.
One evening, as a sudden summer storm began to roll over the city, Daniel was called away to an emergency board meeting. Thomas Carver had attempted one last desperate coup to hostile-takeover the company's shipping division.
"I’ll be back before midnight," Daniel promised, kissing Hannah’s forehead. It was a gesture that had become natural, a sweet routine that spoke of the deep, romantic love blossoming between them. "Stay inside. The storm is getting bad."
"We'll be fine," Hannah smiled, her hand resting on her round belly. "Be careful, Daniel."
By 10:00 PM, the rain was pouring in torrents, thunder shaking the windows of the estate. Ben was fast asleep in his room. Hannah was in the library, sipping warm milk, when the power suddenly cut out, plunging the entire mansion into pitch darkness.
Hannah’s heart raced. The backup generators should have kicked in within seconds, but the house remained dark.
Suddenly, she heard a soft, scraping sound near the terrace doors.
"Who's there?" Hannah called out, her hand instinctively protecting her stomach.
A flash of lightning illuminated the room, revealing a wet, disheveled figure standing in the doorway. It was Claire Whitlock. Her face was gaunt, her eyes wild with a manic, desperate rage. In her hand, she held a heavy, brass fireplace poker she had grabbed from the patio.
"You took everything from me," Claire hissed, her voice dripping with madness. "My reputation, my family’s fortune, my fiancé. You’re just a maid! You should be on your knees!"
"Claire, stop," Hannah said, backing away slowly, her hand searching for her phone on the table. "You're sick. You need help. If you do this, you will go to prison for a long time."
"I have nothing left to lose!" Claire shrieked, lunging forward.
Hannah dodged, but her pregnant body made her slow. She tripped over the edge of the rug, falling hard onto her side. A sharp, searing pain shot through her abdomen. She gasped, her face pale with agony.
"Now, let's see how much Daniel loves you when you can't give him his precious heir," Claire laughed maniacally, raising the heavy brass poker over her head.
"Get away from her!"
A small figure charged into the room. Ben, awakened by the noise, threw himself at Claire’s legs, biting her arm with all his strength.
Claire screamed in pain, swinging her arm to throw the young boy off. Ben hit the floor, but his distraction was enough.
The heavy library doors burst open. Daniel stood there, soaked from the rain, his eyes blazing with a primal, terrifying fury. He had rushed home early, sensing something was wrong when the security feeds went dark.
Before Claire could react, Daniel was across the room. He grabbed the poker from her hand, throwing it aside, and pinned Claire to the wall with an iron grip.
"Touch her again, and I swear to God you won't survive the night," Daniel roared, his voice shaking with absolute rage.
Security guards, having finally bypassed the cut wires outside, poured into the room, quickly restraining a screaming, hysterical Claire.
Daniel dropped to his knees beside Hannah, who was clutching her stomach in agonizing pain.
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"Daniel... the baby..." Hannah cried out, her eyes wide with fear as she felt a warm rush of fluid. "It's too early..."
"I've got you. I've got you, my love," Daniel whispered, gathering her into his arms, his heart breaking at the sight of her pain. "Hold on, Hannah."
