part 3
PART 3
The emergency delivery nearly killed Audrey.
One twin’s heart rate dropped first.
Then the second.
Then the room became masks, bright lights, running nurses, and a doctor telling her to stay awake.
Dominic was not there.
He said later his phone had died.
The hospital records showed he had been in a hotel restaurant with Natalie.
Audrey found out because her attorney had already begun collecting evidence.
Her son was born first.
One minute and twelve seconds before his sister.
Henry and Grace.
Both too small.
Both breathing with help.
Both alive.
Audrey saw them for three seconds before they were taken to the neonatal unit.
Then the room went dark around the edges.
When she woke, Walter was sitting beside her bed.
He held her hand in both of his.
That alone told her how close she had come.
Walter Vale did not sit helplessly in hospitals.
He owned them.
He funded them.
He controlled them.
But when Audrey opened her eyes, he looked like any grandfather terrified of losing the child he had raised after her parents died.
“Where are they?” she whispered.
“Alive,” Walter said.
His voice broke on the word.
Audrey cried.
Not loud.
She did not have the strength.
Walter wiped her tears with the corner of his handkerchief.
“Dominic?” she asked.
Walter’s face changed.
“He arrived two hours ago.”
“Did he see them?”
“He asked whether they would have long-term costs.”
Audrey closed her eyes.
Walter’s hand tightened.
“I can remove him from this floor today.”
Audrey shook her head weakly.
“No.”
“Not yet.”
Walter stared at her.
“Audrey.”
“I need him to do it where everyone can see.”
Walter understood immediately.
That was how he had survived fifty years of rich men lying in quiet rooms.
Evidence mattered.
Witnesses mattered.
Timing mattered.
So Audrey allowed Dominic access.
Limited.
Recorded.
Observed.
Dominic visited once the next morning.
He looked at the twins through glass and said, “They don’t look right.”
The nurse wrote it down.
Then he left.
That night, Audrey learned the joint accounts had been drained.
The apartment access changed.
Her personal belongings moved.
And her custom maternity coat was missing.
She called Walter before sunrise.
“Grandfather, come to Saint Aurelia’s neonatal unit.”
“Bring security.”
His answer was calm.
May you like
“I am already on my way.”
Read the full story 👉 Audrey survived the delivery and chose to let Dominic expose himself in front of witnesses before she struck back.
