Chapter 17 - The Baby Arrives Early
Labor moved faster than anyone expected.
Ethan reached the hospital twenty minutes before Sarah was taken to delivery.
He entered wearing a wrinkled shirt and carrying the torn ultrasound Arthur had taped back together.
Sarah laughed through tears.
"That thing has had a terrible week."
"So have we."
Another contraction hit.
She crushed his hand.
"You deserve that."
"Probably."
Outside the delivery room, Arthur stood guard despite two police officers already posted in the hall.
Miriam arrived with flowers and an apology she could barely say without crying.
Sarah hugged her.
"You were scared."
"I was silent."
"Then don't be silent again."
Three hours later, Sarah gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
They named her Catherine Grace Vance.
Catherine for Ethan's mother.
Grace because survival had begun to feel like something larger than luck.
When the nurse placed the baby against Sarah's chest, Ethan cried without hiding it.
At 3:14 a.m., the Swiss trustee received legal confirmation of the live birth.
Catherine's trust activated automatically.
Eleanor's temporary voting authority ended.
The Heritage Trust also transferred under Robert's original terms.
For the first time in years, Eleanor controlled nothing.
Then Detective Brooks entered the room.
"I wish I had waited until morning."
Ethan's smile disappeared.
"What happened?"
"We found Malcolm's car near the estate."
"And Malcolm?"
"Not yet."
Arthur's phone rang at the same moment.
He answered.
May you like
Then his face hardened.
"Sir," he said to Ethan, "someone just entered the mansion using your father's old master code."
