Chapter 9 - The Desperate Crawl
The news of Clara's birth made the social columns.
It didn't take long for the vultures to circle.
I was leaving a pediatrician appointment with Clara, escorted by two guards.
As I approached my waiting SUV, a figure stepped out from the shadows.
It was Dominic.
He looked awful.
He was unshaven, wearing a wrinkled jacket, and his eyes were bloodshot.
"Vivienne! Wait!" he yelled, rushing forward.
My guards instantly stepped between us, hands resting near their holsters.
"Sir, step back," the lead guard warned.
"Please! I just want to see my daughter!" Dominic pleaded.
I stopped and turned to look at him.
He wasn't looking at Clara.
He was looking at the armored SUV, the designer baby stroller, and the diamond earrings I wore.
He was looking at the money.
"She is my daughter, Dominic," I said coldly.
"You signed away your parental rights in the settlement."
"You traded them for a lump sum to pay off your mother's debts."
Dominic flinched.
"I was desperate! My family was ruined!"
"Vivienne, please. I've changed."
"I miss you. I love you."
"We can be a family."
I let out a harsh laugh.
"You don't miss me."
"You miss the comfort of having someone to punch down on."
"And now that you know who I am, you miss the wealth you missed out on."
"I'm sorry," he cried. "Chloe ruined everything!"
"No, Dominic," I corrected him.
"Chloe broke the glass."
"But you stood there and watched me bleed."
"You are exactly where you belong."
I turned and got into the SUV.
"If he comes near me again, have him arrested," I told the guards.
"Understood, Ms. Sterling."
As the car pulled away, I looked out the tinted window.
Dominic was standing on the curb, completely alone.
May you like
He had chosen his toxic family over his wife.
Now, he had neither.
