The bright bedroom was finally quiet, the gentle sunlight illuminating the American flag hanging on the wall near the window balcony.
Two paramedics entered the room with a rolling stretcher, approaching Claire with calm, professional care.
Paramedic: Ma'am, we're going to get you lifted onto the stretcher gently. We need to check your vitals and run an ultrasound on the baby immediately.
Claire: Please check the baby first... I haven't felt him move as much since yesterday morning.
Paramedic: Lie back down, honey. We're putting the monitor on your abdomen right now.
Marcus stood right beside the bed, holding his daughter's cold hand firmly in his own as the paramedic applied the cool gel to her stomach.
A few seconds of static filled the quiet room, followed by the fast, steady rhythm of a tiny heartbeat thumping through the portable monitor.
Paramedic: Heartbeat is strong, ma'am. One hundred and forty-five beats per minute. Your baby boy is fighting hard in there.
Claire let out a long, shuddering sob, tears finally spilling down her bruised cheeks as she looked up at her father.
Claire: He's okay, Dad... He's safe.
Marcus: I told you I would never let anything happen to either of you, Claire. I promise you, as long as I am breathing, nobody will ever threaten you again.
Claire: I was so scared you wouldn't get my text message in time...
Marcus: A father always receives his child's call, no matter where he is in the world.
Paramedic: All right, let's get her secured and transferred down to the vehicle. General, you can ride upfront with us or in the back.
Marcus: I'm sitting right here beside my daughter.
They lifted Claire gently onto the stretcher, wrapping her in a warm blanket as they wheeled her out of the master bedroom and toward the grand elevator.
Marcus paused for a second at the doorway, looking back at the room where Grant had tried to strip his daughter of her dignity and her home.
He pulled his military dress cap over his head, adjusted his uniform jacket, and closed the oak doors behind him, sealing away the darkness of the past three days forever.