Chapter 4
An hour later, the estate was quiet as the late afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall bay windows.
Clara sat on the plush leather sofa in the living room, cradling Leo in her lap while he peacefully drank from a bottle.
Julian walked into the room carrying a medical kit and a glass of ice water, placing them on the mahogany coffee table.
"Hold still for a second," Julian instructed gently, taking an ice pack wrapped in a clean cloth.
He pressed it tenderly against the bruise on her left cheek, his touch surprisingly soft for a man of his imposing stature.
Clara winced slightly before relaxing into his care, letting out a long, weary sigh.
"How did you know she was here?" Clara asked quietly, looking up into his dark, intelligent eyes.
"The security system sent an silent alarm trigger to my phone when her vehicle bypassed the gate," Julian explained.
"I broke every speed limit between Manhattan and the valley to get here in time."
Clara looked down at her son's mint green onesie, her fingers gently smoothing out the soft fabric.
"She told me she had a court order to take him to a residential facility in Chicago," Clara whispered, her voice cracking.
"She said I was psychologically unfit because of what happened during the accident."
Julian's expression darkened instantly at the mention of the tragic incident that had taken his sister's life six months ago.
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"Eleanor forged those custody papers, Clara," Julian revealed, his jaw clenching tight.
"And I intend to make sure she spends the rest of her life behind bars for it."
