Paulina checked the infant and turned to Elliana with a bright, trembling smile.

“It’s a girl! She’s perfectly healthy!”

Elliana’s lips curved into a weak, tearful smile. A girl. Her daughter. Her little miracle. She tried to speak, to ask for her baby—but the words froze in her throat as the door swung open.

A woman in a long, veiled black dress stepped in, her very presence chilling the air.

Elliana’s heart stopped. She didn’t need to see the face to know.

It was Maxine. And Maxine was here to take her child. No way. No one was taking her daughter away.

Terror crashed over Elliana like ice water. Her arms shook as she forced herself upright, her voice breaking but fierce.

“Maxine, you will not take my daughter!”

But Maxine didn’t even spare Elliana a glance. Her gaze was fixed on the newborn—the tiny bundle just cleaned and about to be placed in Elliana’s waiting arms.

A fierce glint flashed in Maxine’s eyes as she strode toward the nurse clutching the newborn.

Paulina instantly stepped in front of Maxine.

“Maxine,” she warned, her tone sharp as a blade. “Don’t you dare lay a finger on that baby.”

Maxine’s hunger to hold the baby burned visibly in her gaze. Paulina’s defiance only fed the fire until it flared into rage. Her lips curved into a dangerous smirk.

“I haven’t shed blood today, and my hands are itching for it. Move aside, or I’ll send everyone in this room straight to their graves.”

Paulina didn’t flinch. She tensed, ready to strike, when Elliana’s strained voice broke through the tension.

“Paulina, stand down!”

Every journey starts at gα?ησν?s?c?

The command hit Paulina like a whip. Confusion crossed her face as she turned to Elliana.

Elliana was weak and trembling, her hair clinging to her sweat-damp skin. Yet her eyes were clear, sharp, and full of authority.

“Do as I say.”

Elliana knew that to defy Maxine now would be suicide. Maxine was unpredictable, her cruelty boundless. If provoked, she would bathe the room in blood—and worse, the stress could endanger the second baby still waiting to be born.

Elliana was betting that Maxine wouldn’t harm her baby girl. A moment of submission was a small price to pay to save everyone’s lives.

Paulina picked up on the necessity of the concession. With one last, helpless glance at the newborn, she stepped aside.

Maxine swept past Paulina and seized the infant from the stunned nurse’s arms. She held the baby close, her touch reverent yet possessive, as if cradling a divine treasure. Her cold features softened as she gazed down at the tiny face. A strange warmth flickered there—almost motherly.

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