burst open.
Two hotel security officers entered first, followed by Commissioner Lila Reyes in a black evening coat. Her husband was a pediatric surgeon upstairs. Vivian had known her for fifteen years, long enough to recognize the controlled fury in her face.
Behind Lila, the hallway was chaos. Reporters strained past trustees. Donors held phones. Staff members whispered with hands over their mouths.
“Step away from them,” Lila said.
Alden’s expression transformed instantly.
He lifted both hands, wounded and dignified.
“Commissioner, thank God. My wife is having some kind of episode, and Vivian has escalated—”
“Stop talking,” Lila said.
The room went silent.
Alden blinked, unused to being interrupted without apology.
Maya sagged against Vivian’s back.
“I need a doctor,” Vivian said. “She’s pregnant and injured.”
Lila looked past her. “Medic, now.”
Alden tried to move toward Maya.
Both security officers stepped between them.
“She is my wife,” he said.
Maya lifted her head.
Her voice was faint but clear.
“I don’t want him near me.”
The words seemed to cost her everything.
Vivian reached back and took her hand.
Alden’s eyes flashed.
“Maya, don’t embarrass yourself.”
Lila turned to him. “Mr. Pierce, you are going to stand there and remain quiet.”
“On what authority?”
“Mine.”
Alden laughed, but it shook. “Do you know how many city programs my company funds?”
“Yes,” Lila said. “And I know there are three reporters outside this door recording you asking that question.”
For a moment, no one breathed.
Then Maya whispered, “My purse.”
Vivian bent toward her. “What?”
“He took my purse in the car. My phone is in it. I started recording when he locked the doors.”
Alden’s head snapped toward her.
There was no hiding the panic now.
“That’s enough,” he said.
Maya’s fear returned full force, but she did not retreat.
“He put it in the closet. Under the tablecloths.”
One of the officers moved immediately.
Alden stepped in his path.
“You cannot search private property without—”
“This is my greenroom,” Vivian said. “Search it.”
The officer opened the narrow service closet. For two long seconds, there was only the sound of hangers scraping metal.
Then he came out holding Maya’s small gold purse.
Maya covered her mouth.
Alden closed his eyes once, quickly, as though adjusting to a new battlefield.
“That phone contains private marital conversations,” he said. “Leaking or playing them would be a felony.”
“Good,” Lila said. “Then we will preserve it properly.”
A paramedic guided Maya into a chair. Vivian knelt in front of her, ignoring the water soaking the hem of her gown.
“Talk to me,” Vivian said. “Are you in pain?”
Maya’s face tightened.
“My back. A little. And my side.”
The paramedic’s expression shifted in a way Vivian did not like.
“We’re taking her upstairs now.”
“I’m coming,” Vivian said.
Alden stepped forward again. “I’m her husband.”
Maya looked at him.
The room went still, waiting.
Her voice was barely more than air.
“You are not coming.”
Alden’s eyes hardened.
Then, with cameras in the hall and officers at his side, he did the worst thing he could have done.
He forgot to be charming.
“That child is mine,” he said.
The possessiveness in his voice chilled everyone.
Maya’s hands wrapped around her belly.
Vivian rose slowly.
“No,” she said. “That child is
