Chapter 4 - The Unraveling
Maya’s blood ran cold. She stepped back into the shadow of the marble pillar at the top of the stairs, her grip tightening on the banister.
Dr. Vance looked exactly as he had six weeks ago at St. Anne's Medical Center—tall, slicked-back gray hair, wearing gold-rimmed spectacles and an aura of arrogant authority. He was the man who had stood over Maya's hospital bed, looked her in the eyes, and told her that her baby had died in the night.
"Dr. Vance, welcome," Mrs. Gable, the head housekeeper, said politely. "Mrs. Carter left word that you would be coming for a routine medical checkup on the infant."
"Yes," Dr. Vance replied, his voice calm and smooth. "Mrs. Carter requested a comprehensive blood draw and wellness check while she is away. Where is the child?"
"He is upstairs in the nursery with the primary nurse," Mrs. Gable answered. "I will call her down."
"No need," Dr. Vance said, walking toward the staircase. "I know my way. I'll head up directly."
Maya's heart raced with panic. Why was Dr. Vance here now? If he saw her—if he recognized her as the grieving mother from St. Anne’s—the entire cover story would shatter. Worse, if Vanessa had called him in to do a "blood draw," was it possible Vanessa suspected that Maya was getting too close to the truth?
Maya sprinted down the hallway back to her room, locked her purse inside her closet, and rushed into the nursery. She snatched Lucas from his crib, holding him tight. She couldn't let Vance near him with a needle.
A knock sounded at the nursery door.
"Nurse? It's Dr. Vance," his voice called from the hallway. "Open up, please."
Maya took a deep breath, forcing her face into a blank mask of professional detachment. She walked over and unlocked the door.
Dr. Vance stepped inside, setting his medical leather bag on the changing table. He turned to face her, his sharp eyes assessing her instantly. For a terrifying two seconds, his eyes lingered on her face.
Maya kept her head slightly bowed, avoiding direct eye contact, pretending to focus entirely on adjusting Lucas’s blanket.
"You're the housemaid who stepped in to feed him?" Dr. Vance asked, his voice dripping with mild disdain. "Mrs. Carter told me about you."
"Yes, doctor," Maya replied, keeping her voice pitch-perfectly flat.
"Fascinating," Vance muttered, taking out a stethoscope. "A lucky coincidence. Though I must say, having an unvetted staff member wet-nurse an heir to the Carter fortune poses significant medical and legal risks. Mrs. Carter agrees that it's time to phase you out."
He stepped closer, reaching into his bag to pull out a small glass vial and a syringe. "I need to take a blood sample from the child to run a full panel. Set him on the table."
Maya stood her ground, her body blocking the crib. "Mr. Carter gave strict orders that no invasive procedures are to be performed without his presence. He will be home from his meeting in two hours."
Dr. Vance frowned, his brows drawing together. "I don't take orders from housemaids or Mr. Carter's schedule. Mrs. Carter hired me to manage this child's health. Move aside."
"No," Maya said, her voice dropping its timid tone, rising with absolute defiance. "You will not touch him."
Dr. Vance paused, startled by the fierce authority in her voice. He stepped closer, peering at her face more intently through his spectacles. Suddenly, a flash of recognition crossed his features.
His eyes widened slightly. "Wait... I know you."
Maya stared back at him, her gaze burning with pure hatred. "Yes, Dr. Vance. You do. You saw me six weeks ago at St. Anne's."
Dr. Vance’s face turned pale. The composed, arrogant doctor vanished, replaced by a man realizing he was trapped. He instinctively stepped back, looking toward the open door.
"You..." Vance whispered, his hands trembling. "How did you get into this house?"
"It wasn't a coincidence, Vance," Maya said, her voice shaking with rage. "My body knew my baby was alive. I came here, and I found him. I know what you did. I know about the $250,000 wire transfer from Vanessa Hale!"
"Shut your mouth!" Vance hissed, his voice hushed and frantic as he looked over his shoulder. "You have no idea what you're talking about! You were a broke, unmarried girl with no resources! That baby was going to grow up in poverty! We gave him a life of unlimited wealth!"
"You STOLE him!" Maya screamed, no longer caring who heard her in the mansion. "You lied to a grieving mother and sold my child like merchandise!"
"Nobody will ever believe you!" Vance shouted, reaching into his pocket, his composure completely crumbling. "You're a crazy, unstable maid! I'll have you thrown in prison!"
"She won't have to go to prison alone," a cold, thunderous voice echoed from the doorway.
Maya and Dr. Vance whirled around.
May you like
Standing in the doorway was Richard Carter. Beside him stood two armed security officers. Richard’s face was deathly pale, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes filled with a terrifying, cold fury.
He had returned home early from his meeting to surprise Maya and the baby—and had stood in the hallway long enough to hear every single word.
