Margaret smiled sarcastically. “Your freedom. You’re nobody, and you came out of nowhere. You trapped our son with this pregnancy, but now it’s over. Christopher deserves better. She deserves Jessica.”
“He’s already chosen me,” he said softly, holding out the ring. “He gave it to me last week.” Then he took out his phone—and the pictures touched me more than any slap.
Christopher and Jessica kiss in a restaurant. Holding hands in Paris. They sleep in a hotel room.
Valentina Megdermedt’s test.
William’s voice boomed. “Sign the papers. Buy $50,000 and disappear. The baby stays with us.”
She hugged Leo tightly, her heart broken. “You can’t take my son away from me.” But Margaret stepped forward and reached out to the newborn.
Valentina cried, “No!” and the baby began to cry in her arms. Hospital security burst in, and William called them to the door. “This woman is causing trouble,” Margaret said calmly.
Then Christopher finally spoke — his voice was expressionless, tired, weak.
“Just sign it, Valentina. Make it easier for all of us.”
Something broke inside him.
For nine months, he was humiliated, isolated, and attempts were made to erase him.
They thought they were going to take everything from him. But they had no idea who he really was. Valentina took a deep breath, calmly and dangerously.
“Do you want me to sign it?” he asked gently. “It’s fine. But first… Let me call something.”
He picked up his phone, dialed a single number, and made it hands-free.
“Carlos,” he said, his voice suddenly sharper, “professional, authoritative, the voice of a woman used to being obeyed. Finish buying William’s company by Monday morning.”
A silence fell, then a confused voice replied:
“Yes, Ms. Rodriguez. The $340 million offer?”
Valentina’s eyes were fixed on William’s face.
“No. Go down to $50 million. He either accepts it or he doesn’t. They have 24 hours.” He hung up.
The room froze. Margaret blinked, uncomprehending. “What are you talking about?”
Valentina smiled for the first time in hours.
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