Chapter 3 - The Architect's Downfall
"No! Please! Chloe, tell them!" Derek screamed as the two men grabbed him by his designer polo, dragging him backward into the hallway.
I didn't say a word. I sat on the examination table, watching the man who had broken my heart, gaslit me, and mocked my changing body get hauled away like garbage. I felt absolutely nothing for him.
Dominic turned back to Dr. Miller, who was pressed flat against the wall, trying to become invisible.
"Doctor," Dominic said politely, adjusting his cuffs. "I apologize for the interruption. Please, finish the examination. I want to know everything about my baby's health."
For the next twenty minutes, Dominic held my hand. He asked the doctor highly specific, intelligent questions about prenatal vitamins, stress management, and dietary requirements. He didn't look at me like I was a burden, or a mistake from a reckless night. He looked at me like I was a queen carrying the future of his empire.
When we finally walked out of the clinic, a fleet of black, armored SUVs was waiting in the rain.
Derek was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is he?" I asked as Dominic opened the door of the lead Maybach for me.
"Gone," Dominic said simply, sliding into the leather seat beside me. "He won't be harmed physically. I don't need the mother of my child involved in a police inquiry."
I let out a breath of relief, settling back against the seats. "Good."
"However," Dominic continued, pouring us both a glass of sparkling water from the console, "I did make a phone call while you were getting dressed. Where does he work? Horizon Financial?"
My eyes widened. "Yes. How did you know?"
"Because my holding company owns the property his firm operates in, and I hold the primary debt on his boss's expansion loans," Dominic said casually, taking a sip of his water. "I just informed the CEO of Horizon that if Derek isn't terminated by the end of the hour, with his severance completely revoked, I will call in their loans and bankrupt the firm by Monday."
I stared at him, stunned by the sheer, effortless magnitude of his power.
"Furthermore," Dominic added, his dark eyes meeting mine. "I bought the building he rents his luxury apartment in. He's being served with an immediate eviction notice. He liked to mock you for 'letting yourself go,' Chloe. Let's see how well he maintains his arrogant smile when he has no job, no money, and no place to sleep."
A profound, fierce warmth bloomed in my chest. For the first time in my life, I didn't have to defend myself. I didn't have to shrink down to make a toxic man feel powerful. I had a protector who was willing to move mountains and destroy lives just to ensure I was respected.
"Now," Dominic murmured, reaching across the console to gently place his hand over mine. "We are going to my estate. You will never have to work another day in your life unless you want to. You will have the best doctors, the best food, and the absolute best security on the planet."
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"Dominic," I whispered, overwhelmed. "We barely know each other."
"Then we have the rest of our lives to learn," he replied, raising my hand to his lips and pressing a firm, warm kiss against my knuckles. "You carry my blood, Chloe. You are mine to protect. Forever."
