Chapter 5 - The Turning Tide
Morning came with a pale,
watery sun that struggled through the clouds.
Adeline was woken by the sound of a rustling newspaper.
A woman in a sharp suit was sitting at the end of her bed.
"Good morning, Mrs. Drayke,"
the woman said,
though her tone suggested the name wouldn't last long.
"I am Eleanor Vance,"
"Mr. Arkwright's personal attorney."
She handed Adeline a thick folder,
stuffed with legal documents and bank statements.
Adeline opened it,
and her breath caught in her throat.
There were deeds to a coastal estate,
trust funds in the names of the "A, B, and C" babies,
and a transfer of shares in a company she didn't recognize.
"What is this?"
Adeline asked,
her hands shaking.
"This is your life, restored,"
Eleanor replied.
"Mr. Arkwright has purchased the debts of your father's old company."
"He has merged them into a new entity,"
"and you are the primary shareholder."
"As for your divorce,"
"the document you signed yesterday has been declared void."
"It was signed under duress,"
"without proper legal counsel,"
"and while you were in a medical emergency."
Adeline felt a weight lift from her chest,
but it was quickly replaced by a new fear.
"Nick won't let this happen."
"He's already at the hospital,"
Eleanor said,
checking her watch.
"With a court order to take custody of the children the moment they are born."
Adeline sat up,
ignoring the protest of her muscles.
"He can't!"
"He doesn't want them,"
"he just wants to control me!"
"He wants the heirs,"
Eleanor corrected.
"The Drayke family trust requires male heirs to unlock the final inheritance."
"He doesn't want babies,"
"he wants keys to a vault."
The door to the room swung open,
and two security guards stepped in.
"He's here,"
one said,
pressing his earpiece.
"He's on the fourth floor."
"He's brought the media."
Adeline felt a surge of nausea.
Nick was turning her pain into a spectacle.
He wanted to play the grieving,
concerned father,
forced to take his children from an unstable mother.
"Where is Lucien?"
Adeline asked,
looking for the only man who seemed to have the power to stop this.
"He's waiting,"
Eleanor said with a mysterious smile.
"Mr. Arkwright prefers to arrive when the drama is at its peak."
"He says it makes the fall more spectacular."
The sound of shouting grew louder in the hallway.
The nurses were trying to maintain order,
but Nick’s voice rose above them all.
"I have a right to see my children!"
"I am Nick Drayke!"
"And no one keeps me from what is mine!"
The door burst open,
and Nick stepped in,
followed by a camera crew and a man in a judge’s robe.
He looked at Adeline,
his expression one of fake concern and hidden malice.
"Adeline, darling,"
he said,
stepping toward her.
"I’m so sorry it came to this."
"But for the safety of our children,"
"I have to take charge."
He held out a hand,
expecting her to cower.
Instead,
Adeline reached for the water glass on her table,
and threw the contents straight into his face.
"Don't you dare,"
she hissed,
her voice steady and cold.
"Touch me,"
May you like
"or my children,"
"ever again."
