Chapter 12 - THE CHOICE AT THE EDGE
Nathan shouted a warning.
Ethan turned as Julian lunged. The knife sliced Ethan’s side before he drove Julian into a concrete column.
At the edge, Claire’s fingers slipped on the cable.
Vanessa sobbed below her. “Please. I don’t want to die.”
Claire looked into the face of the woman who had invaded her marriage, framed her for murder, and tried to steal a child.
Then Claire tightened her grip.
“I am not you,” she said.
Federal agents reached them and pulled both women to safety.
Julian broke free and ran toward the service stairs. Nathan kicked the gun away while Ethan tackled Julian again.
This time agents surrounded him.
Vanessa was taken to the hospital under guard. Nathan was freed. Ethan’s wound missed major organs.
The rescue did not erase anything.
Outside the building, Nathan approached Claire beneath flashing emergency lights.
“You saved her.”
“I saved myself from becoming someone I would hate.”
He tried to apologize.
Claire stopped him. “You did not make one mistake. You made a choice every day. You doubted me, humiliated me, and handed my reputation to people who wanted me gone.”
“I know.”
“No. You are only beginning to know.”
Rachel arrived with new warrants. Victor had disappeared from federal supervision during the high-rise crisis. A guard had been bribed.
His private plane was fueled at Teterboro Airport.
But flight records showed no international destination.
Instead, Victor’s car was spotted heading north.
Toward the hospital where Lily Grant was being protected.
Claire looked at Ethan’s bloodstained shirt.
“You stay here.”
He shook his head. “Victor is going for the baby.”
Nathan stepped forward. “Then I’m coming.”
Claire met his eyes.
“You follow my orders this time.”
May you like
For once, Nathan did not argue.
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