Chapter 1 - THE RED LIGHT
Noah’s eyes followed Scarlett’s terrified stare toward the ceiling.
The tiny red light on the dome camera blinked steadily above the Golden Foyer.
Once.
Twice.
A silent witness that had captured every second.
Scarlett immediately forced another smile.
“Noah, please don’t misunderstand.”
“Mia suddenly became dizzy.”
“I tried to catch her.”
Noah did not answer.
He slid one arm beneath Mia’s shoulders and placed the other protectively over her stomach.
“Mia, look at me.”
His voice was controlled, but she could feel the fear beneath it.
“Can you hear me?”
Mia opened her eyes.
Her face had gone pale.
“She pushed me.”
The words were barely louder than a whisper.
Scarlett took a quick step forward.
“She’s confused.”
“She struck the table and lost her balance.”
Noah finally looked at Scarlett.
The cold fury in his eyes stopped her where she stood.
“Do not come any closer.”
Scarlett’s lips parted.
“Noah, I’m your sister.”
“And she is my wife.”
A sharp pain tore through Mia’s abdomen.
Her fingers tightened around Noah’s sleeve.
“Noah.”
“Something is wrong.”
He looked down and saw a dark stain spreading across the rose-gold fabric near her knees.
For one terrible moment, his entire body went still.
Then he shouted toward the security desk.
“Call an ambulance.”
“Now.”
Two guards rushed into the foyer.
Scarlett moved toward the nearest hallway.
Noah noticed immediately.
“Lock every exit.”
Scarlett spun around.
“You cannot keep me here.”
Noah lifted Mia carefully into his arms.
“You attacked a pregnant woman inside my home.”
“You are not leaving until the police arrive.”
“I didn’t attack anyone.”
Scarlett pointed toward the camera.
“That system hasn’t worked in months.”
Noah looked toward Marcus Reed, the estate’s security director.
Marcus hesitated.
Then his eyes dropped.
“The foyer camera was repaired three days ago.”
Scarlett’s face lost all color.
Noah carried Mia toward the entrance as the distant sound of sirens grew louder.
She pressed her cheek against his chest.
“Don’t let her near our baby.”
“I won’t.”
His answer came without hesitation.
The ambulance doors opened outside.
Paramedics rushed forward with a stretcher.
As Noah placed Mia down, Scarlett called after him.
“You’re making a terrible mistake.”
Noah turned.
“No.”
“My mistake was trusting you.”
The paramedics wheeled Mia into the ambulance.
Noah climbed in beside her.
Just before the doors closed, Marcus hurried toward him.
“Mr. Vale.”
“There’s something you need to know about the footage.”
Noah looked at him.
May you like
Marcus lowered his voice.
“Someone tried to delete it eleven minutes before you arrived.”
