Chapter 2 - The Seed of Doubt
The nursery was quiet, filled only with the soft hum of the air purifier.
Sarah gently rocked Leo in the wooden glider chair until his tears finally stopped.
Her mind was racing.
She knew exactly what she had seen, and she knew Victoria was a dangerous liar.
The heavy wooden door creaked open.
Ethan stepped into the dim room, looking exhausted.
"Is he okay?" Ethan asked softly, stepping closer to the chair.
"He's fine now, Mr. Sterling," Sarah replied, keeping her voice low. "Just scared."
Ethan sighed, leaning against the changing table.
"Sarah, we need to talk about what happened downstairs," he said.
"I told you the truth," Sarah insisted, looking up into his tired eyes.
"Victoria says you've been hostile toward her for weeks," Ethan countered.
"Because I see how she looks at him when you aren't around," Sarah said firmly.
Ethan frowned, crossing his arms.
"She loves children," Ethan said, though he didn't sound entirely convinced. "She's just nervous about becoming a stepmother."
"A nervous stepmother doesn't hold a burning iron over a six-month-old," Sarah fired back.
Ethan rubbed his temples, the stress of his corporate empire and single fatherhood weighing on him.
"I've known Victoria for six months, Sarah," he said quietly. "She comes from a highly respected family."
"Respect doesn't equal kindness," Sarah warned.
"I'm giving you a warning," Ethan said, though his voice was remarkably gentle. "Please, just try to get along with her."
He reached out, gently stroking Leo's sleeping head before walking out of the room.
Sarah sat alone in the dark.
She realized that arguing with Ethan wouldn't work.
She needed concrete proof.
Later that evening, Sarah was in the kitchen washing bottles.
The swinging door pushed open, and Victoria strutted in.
The socialite poured herself a glass of expensive sparkling water.
"You're playing a dangerous game, maid," Victoria whispered, her voice dripping with venom.
Sarah didn't look up from the sink.
"I'm not playing games," Sarah replied evenly. "I'm protecting that baby."
Victoria laughed, a harsh, grating sound.
"Ethan is mine," Victoria sneered. "His money, his estates, his future."
"And Leo?" Sarah asked, finally turning around.
"Accidents happen to clumsy little babies all the time," Victoria smiled coldly.
Sarah felt a chill run down her spine.
"If you touch him again, I'll go to the police," Sarah threatened.
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"It's your word against a billionaire's future wife," Victoria taunted. "Who do you think they'll believe?"
Victoria took a sip of her water and walked out, leaving Sarah clutching a soapy bottle like a weapon.
