Chapter 4 - THE BILLIONAIRE'S MISSING MILLIONS
Ethan Blackwood had never been afraid of a medical report.
Until now.
He sat in his office staring at three pages.
Three separate tests.
Three identical conclusions.
No sperm detected.
The doctor had explained that the results strongly suggested azoospermia, although additional evaluation would be needed to establish the cause and whether any sperm could be retrieved.
Ethan barely heard the explanation.
All he could think about was Vanessa.
Her smile.
Her hand resting over her stomach.
The way she whispered that their baby would be a boy.
He had believed her.
Because he wanted to.
Because for years he had dreamed of having a son.
And because Vanessa had returned at the exact moment his marriage began to feel empty.
Now he wondered whether she had returned for another reason.
His phone rang.
Vanessa.
He answered.
“Where are you?”
“At home, darling.”
“Come to my office.”
“Why?”
“We need to talk.”
A pause.
Then she laughed nervously.
“About the report?”
“Yes.”
“Ethan, those tests are wrong.”
He closed his eyes.
“How do you know?”
“Because I'm pregnant.”
“That doesn't answer my question.”
She went silent.
Ethan continued.
“I want a paternity test when it's medically appropriate.”
Vanessa's voice sharpened.
“You don't trust me?”
He looked at the report.
“I trusted Claire.”
A pause.
Then Vanessa said something that made his blood run cold.
“And look where that got you.”
Ethan stared.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.”
“Vanessa.”
She sighed.
“I'm tired. I'm pregnant. I don't need this stress.”
The call ended.
Ethan sat motionless.
Then summoned his accountant.
“Bring me every payment made to Monroe Strategic Solutions.”
The accountant went pale.
“Sir?”
May you like
Ethan looked up.
“Now.”
