Chapter 8
"Lock down?" Natalie gasped, her hands instinctively clutching her stomach as if to protect her unborn child from the sudden, terrifying shift in the atmosphere. "Sebastian, what are you doing? Who is Marcus? You can't keep us hostage in here!"
"You aren't hostages, Natalie," Sebastian replied calmly, disconnecting the call and slipping his phone away. "You are simply facing the consequences of your actions. Something your father clearly never taught you how to do."
"You can't do this!" Ethan yelled, finally managing to scramble to his feet. He swayed slightly, leaning heavily against the wall for support. His luxury clothes were covered in smashed cupcakes and dirt. "You think you're some kind of mafia boss? You're just a rich guy with an ego problem!"
"Ethan, shut your mouth," Victor hissed, grabbing his son by the arm and pulling him back. The older man's bravado was crumbling rapidly. He looked at Sebastian, his eyes pleading for a sudden return to rationality. "Sebastian, listen to me. Let's handle this like gentlemen. A business arrangement. We can draft a statement. We can spin this. Natalie had a nervous breakdown. Medical stress. We can save the company's stock, save your reputation—"
"My reputation?" Sebastian interrupted, stepping closer. The sheer weight of his presence forced Victor to step back. "My reputation is built on ruthlessness, Victor. I didn't build my empire by making public apologies for abusive behavior. My people know exactly what I am. They respect me because I protect what is mine."
Sebastian shifted Lily in his arms, turning his fierce gaze back to his wife. "You thought you were untouchable, Natalie. You thought because you carried my child, you could treat my firstborn like a prop for your social media. You thought you could strike her, and I would simply look the other way to avoid a scandal."
"I was wrong!" Natalie sobbed loudly, stepping toward him, her hands reaching out desperately. "I was wrong, Sebastian, I'm sorry! Please, I love you! I love Lily! I was just stressed! Don't throw me out, please! Where will I go?"
"You should have thought of that before you raised your hand," Sebastian said, his voice entirely void of empathy. He didn't step back from her outstretched hands; he simply looked at them with such disgust that she pulled them back as if she had been burned.
"You can't separate me from my baby," Natalie wept, gesturing to her rounded belly. "The courts won't allow it! No judge will give you custody of an unborn child!"
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"I don't need a judge, Natalie," Sebastian whispered, leaning in so only she could hear the lethal promise in his voice. "I have resources you cannot comprehend. You will leave this house today, and when that child is born, you will hand it over. If you fight me, I will make sure the livestream is the least of your public humiliations."
Natalie collapsed to her knees, burying her face in her hands, her wails echoing through the silent, luxurious room.
