Chapter 5 - The Arrest on the Deck“Eleanor Miller, Chloe Vance, and Mark Vance?” the lead Miami-Dade officer demanded, stepping into the cabana shade.
“This is a mistake!” Eleanor shrieked, scrambling backward against the sofa cushions, her diamond rings catching the morning light. “My son is a wealthy executive! He pays for everything! You can’t touch us!”
“Hands behind your back, ma'am,” the officer commanded coldly, grabbing Eleanor’s wrists and snapping the heavy steel handcuffs around her wrists.
Chloe began screaming hysterically as a second officer forced her arms behind her back, pinning her against the marble table, while Mark dropped to his knees, babbling apologies and trying to blame Eleanor.
“It was Eleanor’s idea!” Mark cried out, tears streaming down his face as his wrists were bound in steel. “She told us David gave her full permission to use the money! I didn't know Maya was sick! I swear I didn't know!”
“Shut up, Mark!” Chloe screamed at her husband as hotel guests gathered around the pool deck, pulling out their smartphones to record the humiliating arrest of the wealthy New York family.
Within ten minutes, the three of them were dragged through the grand marble lobby of the W South Beach Hotel, past hotel guests and camera lenses, and shoved into the back of two Miami-Dade police transport cruisers.
Meanwhile, back in New York, the sun was rising over the Brooklyn skyline.
Dr. Lawson stepped out of the surgical unit at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, pulling down her surgical mask.
I stood up instantly from the waiting room chair, holding Liam securely in my arms. “Doctor? How is she?”
Dr. Lawson gave me a tired, profound smile. “The surgery was a complete success, David. We cleared the localized infection, repaired her uterine incision line, and closed the wound with tension sutures. Maya is awake in the recovery wing, and her vitals are fully stabilized.”
A wave of overwhelming relief swept over me so hard my knees almost buckled. I pressed my forehead against my newborn son’s soft head, weeping tears of pure gratitude.
Ten minutes later, I walked into Room 512.
Maya lay in the hospital bed, hooked up to IV antibiotics and heart monitors, her face still pale, but the agonizing pain that had filled her eyes twelve hours ago was gone.
When she saw me step into the room holding Liam, tears filled her eyes.
“David...” she whispered softly, holding out her arms.
May you like
I walked over to the bed, setting Liam gently against her chest, and wrapped my arms around both of them, kissing her forehead over and over again.
“You’re safe now, Maya,” I swore, my voice trembling with absolute devotion. “They will never touch you again. I promise you on my life.”
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