Chapter 4 - The Second HeartbeatDawn
Chapter 4 - The Second HeartbeatDawn broke over Miller’s Crossing with a blinding flash of golden light. Before leaving for Washington, Ethan needed to ensure Oliver and Rose were safe. He arranged for private, trusted security—old army comrades stationed in nearby Fort Bliss—to keep a discreet watch over the adobe house, ensuring Victoria’s operatives could never touch them again. Kneeling beside the sleeping boy, Ethan gently brushed the dark hair from Oliver’s forehead, tracing the identical scar above his eyebrow. "I'm coming back for you," Ethan whispered fiercely. "Both of you."
Arriving in Washington D.C. twenty-four hours later, the contrast between the dusty New Mexico desert and the polished marble corridors of the capital felt like a different universe. Ethan didn't report back to his commanding officer just yet; his first stop was Arthur Sterling’s high-rise law firm downtown. Dressed in full Class A uniform, Ethan bypassed the receptionist with an authority that left her speechless, striding directly into Sterling’s private corner office.
Arthur Sterling, a silver-haired man in an expensive bespoke suit, didn't even look up from his tablet at first. "Colonel Knight. I heard you were on emergency leave. To what do I owe this—", Sterling stopped mid-sentence as Ethan slammed both palms onto the mahogany desk, leaning in close. "Cut the corporate pleasantries, Arthur. We are done playing games. I want the adoption and placement records for Emily Knight’s second child. Right now."
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Sterling’s composure faltered for a fraction of a second, a micro-expression of panic that confirmed every suspicion Ethan harbored. Sterling quickly smoothed his tie, forcing a tight, patronizing smile. "Colonel, I have no idea what you're talking about. Your late wife experienced a tragic medical failure during delivery. Your mother handled the tragic details with utmost discretion." Ethan didn't blink. He reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a digital audio recorder—capturing Grace's full confession—and placed it gently on the desk, pressing play. Grace’s tearful voice filled the quiet office, detailing Victoria's orders, the twin birth, and Sterling’s own signature on the hush-money checks.
Sterling’s face drained of color. The polite corporate facade melted away, replaced by cold calculation. "You think a recording makes a difference, Ethan? Your mother is a titan in this city. If you pull this thread, you don't just destroy her—you bring down your own career, your pension, and every honor you've ever bled for." Ethan leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low, chilling whisper. "Let her burn. I want my child."
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