She turned to the two security guards.

“Please accompany Mr. West to the master bedroom so he can gather his clothing,” Margaret said. “He is not to touch any papers, files, or trust-owned property.”

One of the guards, a tall man with broad shoulders, stepped forward.

“Mr. West, if you’ll come this way,” the guard said.

Nathan looked at me, his eyes dark with a cold, burning hatred.

“You think you’ve won, Deidre?” he hissed, his voice low so the board members couldn’t hear. “You think you can raise a child alone in this empty tomb?”

“She won’t be alone,” I said, my hand resting over my stomach. “But she will be safe from you.”

Nathan opened his mouth to speak, but the guard placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

“Now, sir,” the guard said.

Nathan wrenched his shoulder away from the guard’s grip, but he began walking down the hallway toward the master bedroom, his head held high in a desperate attempt to maintain his dignity.

The second guard followed close behind him.

The foyer fell silent, save for the sound of the rain beating against the glass skylight above.