Chapter Twenty Three

Elena

The lawyer's office is in a building that's seen better days—three stories, peeling paint, a flickering neon sign that reads "Chen & Associates, Family Law."

Another Chen. This city really does employ all of them.

Margaret Chen is in her fifties, gray-streaked hair pulled back in a severe bun, eyes that have seen every ugly custody battle imaginable.

She reads through the messages Damien sent. The cease and desist letter. My timeline of events. Her expression doesn't change, but her jaw gets progressively tighter.

"He's a piece of work," she finally says.

"That's one way to put it."

"Elena. I'm going to be blunt. What Damien Blackwood is doing is textbook intimidation. Threatening to destroy your reputation, demanding paternity tests before it's medically safe, pressuring you to stay silent—all of it designed to make you disappear."

"I know. That's why I'm leaving the city."

"That might be exactly what he wants."

"I don't care what he wants. I care about protecting myself and my baby from a man who's made it very clear he views us as threats."

Margaret leans back in her chair. "Let me tell you how this plays out. You leave. You have the baby in some small village where he can't easily reach you. Eight months pass. You give birth. The paternity test proves he's the father. Then what?"

"Then he knows I was telling the truth."

"And then he uses his unlimited resources to take that baby from you. Claims you're unfit. Unstable. That you fled the city to keep his child from him."

"But I'm not any of those things!"

"Doesn't matter. He has money. Power. The best lawyers. Elena, I've seen this before. Powerful men don't just accept being wrong. They rewrite the narrative until they're the victims."

My stomach turns. "So what do I do?"

"You fight. You document everything. You build a case that shows he's the hostile party. That he's refusing to support his child out of spite."

"And if I can't afford to fight him?"

"I work on contingency for cases like this. You don't pay unless we win. And Elena, we will win. Because what he's doing is illegal. Harassment. Intimidation. Possibly extortion."

"He said he'd destroy my reputation."

"Let him try. We'll add retaliation to the list." She pulls out a legal pad. "Here's what we're going to do. First, you file for emergency support. He's wealthy. You're pregnant with his child. He's legally obligated to provide prenatal care, living expenses, medical costs."

"He'll fight it."

"Of course he will. But fighting it proves he's hostile. Uncooperative."

"I don't want his money."

"It's not about what you want. It's about protecting your rights and your child's rights."

She's right. I hate it, but she's right.

"You do not leave this city. Not yet," she continues. "The moment you flee, he wins. He gets to control the narrative."

"So I'm trapped here."

"You're here where you have legal protections. Court jurisdiction. Witnesses who can testify to your character." She pauses. "And where you have leverage."

"What leverage?"

"The truth. Your work record. The fact that his own mother tried to destroy you and he initially defended you."

"He'll say I manipulated him."

"Let him. We'll show the court that his accusations stem from past trauma, not present reality."

"What if it's not enough?"

Margaret's expression softens. "Then you'll have done everything possible to protect yourself and your child. But Elena, I've been doing this for twenty-five years. I know the difference between a gold-digger and a woman who genuinely got caught in an impossible situation."

I want to believe her.

"When do we start?"

"Now." She types. "I'll file the emergency support petition today. Damien will be required to appear or send legal representation."

"He won't come himself."

"Even better." She starts typing. "I'll also file a restraining order against further harassment."

I leave Margaret's office feeling something I haven't felt in days: hope.

My phone buzzes.

Saw you entering Chen & Associates. Hiring a lawyer? Smart. Won't help. -DB

My blood runs cold.

Another text: You can't win this, Elena. Save yourself the humiliation and disappear. It's better for everyone.

My hands shake as I call Margaret.

"Forward me that text immediately," she says. "That's more evidence. Go somewhere safe."

I make it back to Sophia's apartment, checking over my shoulder every few steps.

She's home early.

"She's good," I say. "But Damien had me followed. He's texting me threats."

"Show me."

Sophia's face goes white.

"Elena, this is serious. He's stalking you."

"That's abuse," she says. "You need to get out of the city. Today."

My phone buzzes again.

Last chance, Elena. Drop the lawyer. Drop the claims. Disappear. Or I make you disappear.

"That's it," Sophia says. "We're packing. You're leaving tonight."

"Where will I go?"

"San Esperanza. Your grandmother."

I pack quickly. Clothes. Documents. The ultrasound photo.

At the bottom of my bag, I find the pen Damien gave me. Because you were right.

I pack it.

Sophia drives me to the bus station.

"Call me when you get there," she says. "Every day."

I board the bus.

Watch the city lights fade.

My hand rests on my stomach.

"We're going home," I whisper.

My phone buzzes one last time.

Running won't save you. I'll find you. -DB

I delete the message.

Delete his number.

Except I can't delete the baby.

This baby is mine.

I close my eyes as the bus rolls through the darkness toward San Esperanza.

Toward home.

A future without Damien Blackwood.

Goodbye, Damien.

Just me and my baby.

Starting now.