Chapter 8 - Ghosts in the Hallway
"Move," Lucian commanded, his voice dark and lethal as he stepped toward Marcus. "Get out of my way before I have this entire hospital bought and demolished by sundown."
Marcus didn't blink. He adjusted his glasses calmly, standing his ground against the towering billionaire.
"You don't own this hallway, Lucian. And you certainly don't own the woman inside that room anymore."
"That is my wife!" Lucian roared, veins bulging along his neck. Several nurses poked their heads out of adjacent rooms in alarm. "That is my son in this ward! If you think a two-bit corporate lawyer can keep me from my family, you have lost your mind!"
"She is not your wife," Marcus said, his voice terrifyingly calm. He extended the manila envelope. "These are the emergency filings executed three hours ago before Judge Henderson. A temporary restraining order has been issued against you, citing gross negligence, emotional endangerment, and abandonment during medical distress."
Lucian snatched the envelope, tore it open, and skimmed the legal jargon.
His eyes landed on the final page:
*Sole legal and physical custody granted temporarily to Serena Cole.*
*Petitioner requests immediate dissolution of marriage.*
*Restraining order: Lucian Vance must remain at least five hundred yards away from Serena Cole and Infant Vance.*
Lucian’s fingers ripped the paper in half. "This is garbage! It has no legal standing! I haven't even been served!"
"You just were," Marcus said, gesturing to the bodycam pinned to his lapel. "It's all on record, Lucian. And if you attempt to breach that door, the Chicago Police Department is waiting downstairs in the lobby to arrest you on felony contempt."
The door to Room 412 opened slightly.
Elena stepped out. She looked at Lucian, her eyes hollow, devoid of anger now—only filled with pure, unadulterated disgust.
"Elena," Lucian whispered, taking a step toward her, his voice breaking. "Please. Just let me see her for five minutes. Let me see my boy. I was stranded... the weather..."
"The weather didn't strand you, Lucian," Elena said softly, every word hitting him like a physical blow. "Your lieutenant told us everything. He resigned thirty minutes ago and gave Marcus a sworn affidavit detailing exactly where you were, what Bianca said, and what you answered when he begged you to save your child."
Lucian froze. His breath hitched.
May you like
"You told him *'Not yet,'*" Elena whispered. "Well, Lucian... your son didn't wait for your permission to die. He fought for his own life while you were in bed with another woman. You don't have a family here anymore."
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