Chapter 7
The peace of the Vance estate was shattered on a rainy Tuesday evening. Julian was in the study reviewing legal documents regarding the pending custody settlement when a sharp, frantic pounding echoed from the front doors. Frowning, he walked out to the grand foyer where Clara was already hurrying across the white marble floor, her face pale with immediate apprehension.
"Stay back, Clara," Julian commanded, stepping past her and pulling the heavy white double doors open.
Standing on the porch, drenched by the lashing rain and shivering violently in a sodden designer trench coat, was Eleanor. Her immaculate blonde hair was plastered against her skull, her makeup running in dark streaks down her pale cheeks. She looked nothing like the aristocratic queen who had departed in a limousine weeks ago; she looked desperate, unhinged, and terrifyingly erratic.
"Julian, you have to let me in," she gasped, trying to push past him into the warmth of the foyer.
Julian planted his feet, blocking the doorway completely. His expression was an absolute wall of ice. "You were ordered by the court and by me to stay away from this property, Eleanor. Turn around and leave before I call the authorities."
"They're coming after me!" she screamed over the roar of the thunder. "My father cut me off. He thinks I'm a liability because of your investigation! I have no money, I have no credit cards, and the press is circling my hotel like vultures!"
"That is between you and your family," Julian replied coldly. "You made your bed. Now lie in it."
"Please, Julian! Just let me see my son for five minutes!" she begged, her voice breaking into a hysterical shriek that echoed off the vaulted ceilings. "I gave up everything for this family! You owe me shelter!"
From the top of the grand staircase, a small figure appeared. Leo stood in his light blue pajamas, his eyes wide with fear as he clutched the wooden banister. The sound of his mother’s voice had pierced the sanctuary of the nursery, dragging him back into the nightmare he had slowly been recovering from.
Julian heard the soft patter of stocking feet behind him and turned to see Clara gently placing a hand over Leo’s ears, trying to guide him back upstairs. But it was too late. The boy was already staring down at the pathetic, raging figure standing in the doorway.
"Leo!" Eleanor cried, catching sight of him past Julian’s shoulder. She threw herself forward, but Julian slammed the heavy wooden door shut with a resounding crash, locking the deadbolt with a sharp, final click.
Outside, Eleanor began hammering furiously against the wood, her screams muffled by the thick mahogany. "Let me in! Leo! Your mother is here!"
May you like
Julian didn't hesitate. He turned away from the door and knelt beside his son, taking the trembling boy into his arms. "She's gone, buddy. She can't hurt you anymore. I've got you."
***
