The private elevator chimed loudly as the heavy brass doors slid open into the penthouse foyer. Four tall security guards in dark suits stepped out, led by the chief of building security, Captain Vance.
Captain Vance: Mr. Sterling, we received your call. Is everything alright, sir?
Mark: Captain Vance, these two individuals are no longer permitted on any property owned by Sterling Real Estate. Please escort them down to the main entrance.
Eleanor: Keep your hands off me! Do you know who I am?! I am Eleanor Sterling!
Captain Vance: I know exactly who you are, ma'am. And right now, you are trespassing on private property. Please step toward the elevator calmly.
Richard: Mark, this is an utter disgrace! You are dragging our names through the dirt over a common girl!
Chloe: I am his wife, Richard. And I am the mother of his heir. You would do well to remember that.
Mark: Take them down, Captain. And make sure the gate guards revoke their keycard access permanently.
The security guards firmly grabbed Eleanor and Richard by their arms, guiding them toward the open elevator. Eleanor screamed and thrashed against the guard's grip, her polished high heels clicking loudly against the marble floor of the foyer.
Eleanor: You will regret this, Mark! You hear me?! I will hire the best defense lawyers in the country! You won't get away with this!
Mark: You'll need those lawyers for the embezzlement trial, Eleanor. Don't waste your breath on me.
The elevator doors closed with a soft metallic click, cutting off Eleanor's frantic screams. The hallway returned to complete, quiet silence, saved for the gentle sound of the city traffic through the tall floor-to-ceiling windows.
Mark turned back toward the bedroom, walking quickly over to where Chloe was sitting on the edge of the bed. He dropped to his knees once more, resting his hands gently on her thighs, avoiding the stitched wound on her left knee.
Mark: Are you okay, sweetheart? Did the stress cause any pain in your stomach?
Chloe: No... the baby is kicking a little, but I think she's just reacting to all the noise.
Mark: I am so sorry, Chloe. I should have never left you alone in this apartment with them.
Chloe: You didn't know she would come here like that, Mark. You came back when I needed you most.
Mark: I'm calling Dr. Harrison right now. I want a full medical team to examine your leg and do another ultrasound just to be 100 percent sure our baby girl is safe.
Chloe: Okay... thank you, Mark.
Mark leaned forward, pressing a warm, gentle kiss against her forehead, right beside the small red mark left by Eleanor's hand. He held her close against his chest, feeling her heartbeat steady as she finally relaxed in his arms.