“She is stable, Ruth,” Daniel said.

“But we have a serious situation.”

“Victor Sterling has obtained the Oregon medical records.”

There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

I could hear the faint sound of a clock chiming in the hallway of the estate through the speaker.

“I see,” Ruth said, her voice dropping its professional distance.

“He knows about the surrogacy.”

“Yes,” Daniel said.

“He is threatening to leak the documents to the press tomorrow if I don’t resign.”

“What are your instructions, sir?” Ruth asked.

Her loyalty was absolute, forged over twelve years of keeping the family’s deepest secrets.

“Secure the house,” Daniel said.

“Keep the gates locked.”

“Do not let any deliveries or visitors inside unless you recognize them personally.”

“And the boys?” Ruth asked.

“Keep them indoors tomorrow,” Daniel said.

“Tell them it’s a game, or that the weather is bad.”

“Just don’t let them near the driveway.”

“I understand,” Ruth said.

“I will take care of it, Mr. Whitmore.”

“Thank you, Ruth,” Daniel said, and he ended the call.

He turned back to me, his face pale under the hospital lights.