Chapter 5
The mention of his brother hung in the air like a poisonous cloud, suffocating the last remaining warmth in the study. David stood up so abruptly that the leather chair scraped loudly against the wooden floorboards, though Lily didn't stir, caught in a heavy, stress-induced sleep.
"Leave my brother out of this," David warned, his voice shaking with a dangerous intensity as he stepped toward Evelyn. "What happened back then has nothing to do with Lily's custody."
Evelyn didn't flinch. She maintained her composure, her grey eyes locking onto his with chilling clarity. "Everything is connected, David. Arthur didn't just stumble upon your household by accident. He financed your brother's legal defense a decade ago. He holds the promissory notes for that settlement, too."
David clenched his fists so hard his nails bit into his palms. "You're blackmailing me."
"I'm offering you a reality check," Evelyn corrected softly, stepping closer to the bookshelf. "Walk away on Monday morning. Let the state take the child to the designated facility. Rachel gets her social standing, Arthur gets his corporate restructuring, and you get to walk out of here with a clean slate and your own freedom."
"And Lily?" David's voice dropped to a fierce whisper. "What happens to a ten-year-old girl tossed into a corrupt state system?"
"Children are resilient," Evelyn replied coldly. "She will adapt. She always does."
Before David could respond, the front door downstairs unlocked with a loud click. Heavy footsteps echoed in the foyer, followed by the sound of urgent whispering. Rachel had returned from wherever she had slipped off to after the confrontation earlier that afternoon.
David didn't wait for Evelyn to say another word. He bypassed her, walking quickly to the study door and peering down into the hallway.
Downstairs, Rachel wasn't alone. Standing beside her in the hallway was a tall man in a dark trench coat, holding a heavy metal briefcase. He looked up toward the stairs, his eyes meeting David's through the dim lighting.
"Mr. Miller," the man called out, his voice echoing up the stairwell. "I represent the state oversight committee. We received an anonymous tip regarding an unauthorized minor residing in this property ahead of Monday's transition."
Lily stirred on the couch behind him, letting out a soft whimpering sound as she rubbed her eyes. "Daddy? Who is that?"
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David rushed back to the couch, scooping Lily into his arms before she could fully wake up. He grabbed his car keys from the desk, his mind racing through escape routes. The front door was blocked by the state official and Rachel. The back French doors led to the garden, but Arthur's driver was likely parked out by the gates.
"Hold on to me tight, sweetheart," David whispered against her hair, his heart hammering against his ribs. "We're going for a little ride."
