Chapter 12 - The Woman on the Screen
Daniel could not speak.
Claire Bennett was alive.
Older.
Scarred.
But alive.
She looked at him through the medical terminal as if six years had passed in a single breath.
“Daniel.”
He placed one hand against the screen.
“Where are you?”
“There isn’t time.”
“You died.”
“That is what Victor wanted you to believe.”
Samuel stepped forward.
“I saw your body.”
Claire looked at him.
“You saw a woman with my medical records and a damaged face.”
Samuel’s expression collapsed.
“The private facility…”
“Belonged to Victor before Bennett Holdings purchased it.”
Daniel struggled to understand.
“What happened to the woman in your room?”
Claire’s voice softened.
“A patient with no family.”
“Victor used her death to erase me.”
Vanessa moved into view.
Claire’s expression changed.
“Vanessa.”
Tears appeared in Vanessa’s eyes.
“You’re alive.”
“I tried to contact you.”
“When?”
“For years.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“I never received anything.”
“Victor controlled your email, your accounts and eventually your anger.”
Vanessa looked toward Olivia.
“He made me believe Daniel had abandoned you.”
“He made everyone believe what they needed to believe.”
A cry escaped Olivia.
Claire immediately became focused.
“Daniel, look at me.”
He turned toward the screen.
“You have to help her deliver the first baby.”
“I don’t know how.”
“I’ll guide you.”
Samuel prepared towels.
Claire gave precise instructions.
The first baby arrived minutes later.
A tiny boy.
He was silent for one terrifying second.
Then he cried.
Daniel began sobbing.
Olivia reached toward him.
“My baby…”
Daniel placed the child against her chest.
“He’s here.”
Claire’s expression softened on the screen.
“Keep him warm.”
Samuel checked the second heartbeat.
“The other baby is in distress.”
Olivia looked frightened.
“What does that mean?”
Claire answered calmly.
“The second baby needs to come now.”
Daniel squeezed Olivia’s hand.
“You can do this.”
She looked at him through tears.
“I don’t know if I can.”
“You can.”
Another contraction began.
Claire guided them through it.
Vanessa stood near the wall, crying silently.
The second child arrived.
A girl.
She did not breathe.
The medical suite became unbearably quiet.
Daniel lifted the tiny body.
“No.”
Claire’s voice sharpened.
“Daniel, listen to me.”
He looked at the screen.
“Place her on the warming table.”
He obeyed.
“Clear her airway.”
Samuel helped.
“Begin ventilation.”
Daniel followed every instruction.
Nothing happened.
Olivia cried from the bed.
“Please…”
Daniel pressed the small mask over his daughter’s face.
“Come on.”
“Please.”
Seconds passed.
Then the baby moved.
A faint cry escaped her.
Daniel nearly collapsed.
“She’s breathing.”
Olivia covered her face as tears poured down her cheeks.
Both babies were alive.
For a moment, every secret disappeared.
There was only relief.
Only two fragile cries.
Only a mother and father touching their children for the first time.
Then the terminal alarm sounded.
Claire looked over her shoulder.
“He found the connection.”
Daniel moved toward the screen.
“Wait.”
Claire looked back.
“Victor is coming for the original trust key.”
“Where is it?”
“With your daughter.”
Daniel glanced at the newborn girl.
Claire shook her head.
“Not Olivia’s daughter.”
“Our daughter.”
Daniel stared at her.
“Where is she?”
“I kept her hidden.”
“You know where she is?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me.”
Claire looked toward someone outside the camera’s view.
Her expression became frightened.
“I can’t.”
“Claire…”
“If Victor discovers her location, he gains permanent control of the trust.”
Daniel’s voice broke.
“She’s my child.”
“She is also the only witness who can destroy him.”
The connection began failing.
Static covered Claire’s face.
“Listen carefully.”
“The video of Vanessa attacking Olivia was not sent to expose Vanessa.”
“Then why was it sent?”
“To gather all of you in one place.”
“Who sent it?”
Claire hesitated.
“I did.”
Vanessa stepped closer.
“You watched me hurt her?”
“I activated the police relay as soon as you entered.”
“No police came.”
“Victor redirected them.”
Claire looked at Olivia.
“I am sorry.”
Olivia held her newborn son.
“For what?”
“For using you as bait.”
Daniel’s face hardened.
“You knew she was in danger.”
“I knew Vanessa wanted the code.”
“You didn’t know she would attack me,” Olivia said.
Claire did not answer.
That silence was enough.
Daniel stared at his first wife.
“You let it happen.”
“I needed Victor to expose the emergency protocol.”
“You risked my wife and children.”
“I risked everything to save our daughter.”
The connection fractured.
Claire’s final words arrived through heavy static.
“Do not trust the child’s guardian.”
Then the screen went dark.
A security alarm began ringing.
May you like
Samuel looked toward the elevator.
“Someone has entered the lower level.”
