Chapter 5 - The Night Alexander Chose His Wife
At thirty-three weeks, Isabel collapsed.
Marcus called me at 2:17 in the morning.
“Alexander. Hospital. Now.”
I don't remember the drive.
I remember the elevator taking too long.
I remember running.
I remember seeing Isabel in a hospital bed.
“What happened?”
Her doctor stopped me.
“High blood pressure. Contractions. We're trying to prevent premature delivery.”
I went to her.
“Isabel.”
She opened her eyes.
“You look terrible.”
I almost laughed.
“You're making jokes?”
“I'm terrified.”
“So am I.”
Her hand found mine.
For once, neither of us pretended.
Hours passed.
Then Vittorio arrived.
He walked into the waiting room with attorneys.
I stared at them.
“What is this?”
“Precaution.”
“Leave.”
“Alexander, if something happens during delivery, guardianship and inheritance—”
I stood.
“My wife is fighting to keep our daughter safe, and you brought estate lawyers?”
“We must prepare.”
“No.”
“You are the head of this family.”
“I am her husband.”
Vittorio stared at me.
“Think carefully.”
“I finally am.”
I took the succession documents from his attorney.
Tore them in half.
“If my daughter is born tonight, nobody puts a title on her.”
“You would throw away generations of—”
“Yes.”
The answer stopped him.
“If the choice is the empire or them, I choose them.”
Vittorio looked genuinely stunned.
I returned to Isabel's room.
She had heard enough through the open door.
“You meant that?”
“Yes.”
“Alexander.”
I sat beside her.
“I spent years believing I was protecting a legacy.”
I took her hand.
“I nearly destroyed the only legacy that mattered.”
She squeezed my fingers.
Hours later, the contractions slowed.
The doctor finally smiled.
“Mother and baby are stable.”
I lowered my head against Isabel's hand.
She whispered, “Alexander?”
“Yes?”
“The divorce hearing is Tuesday.”
I closed my eyes.
“I know.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Whatever you ask.”
She was quiet for a long time.
Then she said, “Come with me.”
“To court?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
May you like
“You'll find out Tuesday.”
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