Chapter 18 - The Final Stand
Valerie sank onto her knees in the public hallway, clutching the child tightly against her shoulder.
"Please, Sarah... I know I was awful to you," Valerie wept, looking up at me through the gap.
"I was young, greedy, and I let Eleanor manipulate me into thinking I’d be living in luxury."
"She’s crazy, Sarah! She told me yesterday that I was just a surrogate for the Westwood family!"
"She’s going to do to this baby what she did to Leo!"
Leo walked over, reached past me, and slowly unhooked the security chain from the latch.
He opened the door completely, looking down at Valerie with a mature, solemn expression.
"Get inside," Leo said firmly.
Valerie scrambled off the floor and rushed into the living room, collapsing onto our sofa while trying to soothe the crying infant.
I walked over to my desk and picked up my smartphone.
I dialed David Miller’s direct line.
"David," I spoke clearly into the receiver.
May you like
"Eleanor Westwood is attempting another illegal custody grab."
"Draft an emergency protective order immediately."
