บททั้งหมดของ Heartbreak And Wars: บทที่ 71 - บทที่ 80

Aloe's POVThe first morning in Blake's penthouse without the immediate threat of capture felt surreal. I woke to sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows, the Manhattan skyline spread before me like a promise of possibilities. For the first time in months—maybe years—I'd slept through the night without nightmares of being dragged back to captivity.My hand moved automatically to my belly, where the baby was already active. Twenty weeks now, officially halfway through the pregnancy. The ultrasound scheduled for this afternoon would reveal the baby's sex if I wanted to know.I wasn't sure I did."Morning." Blake's voice from the doorway made me jump. He held two cups of what smelled like coffee—decaf for me, probably, given his attention to pregnancy details. "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. I heard you moving around."He was dressed for business—expensive suit, perfectly styled hair—but there was hesitation in his posture. Like he wasn't sure if he was welcome in his own

Aloe's POVDr. Sarah Chen—not Dr. Chen from the Sanctuary, but a real OB-GYN recommended by Agent Martinez—had kind eyes and gentle hands as she moved the ultrasound wand across my twenty-week belly."Everything looks perfect," she said, pointing to the screen where my baby moved and stretched. "Strong heartbeat, appropriate measurements, no abnormalities visible."I stared at the image, mesmerized by the tiny human I'd created. Fingers, toes, a profile that looked almost sculptural in its perfection. My child, growing steadily despite everything we'd both endured."Would you like to know the sex?" Dr. Chen asked.I hesitated, one hand pressed to my belly. Knowing felt like making this real in a way I wasn't entirely ready for. But not knowing felt like hiding from reality."Yes," I said finally. "I want to know."Dr. Chen smiled. "You're having a girl."A girl. A daughter. I would be raising a daughter—teaching her about strength, showing her what independence looked like, ensuring s

Aloe's POVThe family court building felt nothing like the imposing federal courthouse where bigger legal battles played out. This was smaller, more intimate, designed for the personal tragedies of divorce and custody rather than the impersonal drama of criminal proceedings.Wakes sat across the courtroom with his legal team—three expensive attorneys in suits that probably cost more than most people's monthly rent. He looked composed, successful, exactly like the kind of father any judge would trust with a child.Which was exactly the problem."Remember," my attorney Rachel Morrison whispered, "stay calm, answer honestly, don't let him provoke you into emotional responses. This judge has seen manipulation tactics before."Judge Patricia Brennan was in her sixties, with the kind of no-nonsense expression that suggested she'd presided over too many ugly custody battles to be easily fooled. She reviewed the preliminary filings with careful attention, then looked up at both parties."This

Aloe's POVThe news about Blake's plea deal reached me through Sofia, who called with barely contained emotion."He took it. Six years in federal prison in exchange for full cooperation. He starts testifying next week."Six years. The words hit me like a physical blow. "Why would he do that?""Because you have a custody battle coming up, and having him fighting federal charges would hurt your case. So he's accepting prison time to improve your chances." Sofia's voice carried something that might have been tears. "Aloe, he's sacrificing his freedom for you."After hanging up, I stood at the Vermont windows, my hand on my belly where the baby was doing what felt like acrobatics. Twenty-five weeks now, the pregnancy impossible to hide, my body transformed by the life growing inside me.Blake was going to prison because of me.Not because of his revenge plot against Wakes, not because of the illegal methods he'd used—those would have sent him to prison anyway.But six years specifically b

Aloe's POVThe revised custody proposal arrived on a Friday afternoon—Wakes offering joint custody with me having primary physical custody, reasonable visitation, no restrictions on my movement or decisions. It was everything I'd hoped for, presented as if Wakes had suddenly become reasonable rather than cornered."It's because of Blake's testimony," Karen Ross explained over video call. "The federal court transcripts gave us leverage. Wakes knows he'll lose if this goes to trial, so he's offering a settlement.""Do I have to accept?""You can push for more. Supervised visitation, restricted access, additional conditions. But Aloe, this offer gives you almost everything—primary custody, freedom to raise your daughter however you choose, minimal interference."My daughter. The ultrasound had confirmed it last week—Evelyn Grace Savage, due in twelve weeks, already measuring perfectly healthy."What do you recommend?""Accept it. Lock in your custody now, before Wakes faces federal charg