Chapter 3 - The Watcher in the Hallway
Before I could process the staggering weight of the doctor's words, a sharp, metallic sound echoed from the hallway outside my recovery room.
Clank.
It sounded like the heavy sole of a leather shoe striking the polished linoleum floor, followed by the muffled, unmistakable rustle of a high-end suit jacket.
Dr. Wright stopped mid-sentence. His head snapped toward the small rectangular glass window set into the heavy wooden door.
The color drained from his face entirely, leaving him looking ghost-white.
"Who's out there?" I asked, my voice dropping to a panicked whisper as I pulled the blanket higher around my baby.
"Keep your voice down," Dr. Wright hissed, standing up from his chair with surprising agility for an elderly man. He crossed the room in three rapid strides and clicked the privacy lock on the door handle.
"Doctor, what is going on?" I demanded, the adrenaline overriding my post-delivery exhaustion.
"They're here," he muttered, his eyes darting frantically toward the door. "I didn't think they tracked my vehicle this fast, but the hospital parking lot is wired with private security feeds tied to the trust. They know I came straight to this room."
"Who is they?"
"The Board’s security detail," Dr. Wright whispered, his hands trembling as he pressed his back against the wall beside the door frame. "Led by Marcus Vance, the chief enforcer for the Wright Institute. If they know a healthy male heir was born into this room tonight... they won't let either of us leave this hospital alive."
A cold sweat broke out across my back.
Just outside the door, a low, authoritative voice spoke through the frosted glass panel.
"Dr. Wright? We know you're in there. Open the door."
The voice didn't belong to a hospital administrator or a police officer. It had the clipped, ruthless cadence of a military contractor—smooth, emotionless, and absolute.
"Don't answer them," Dr. Wright mouthed silently, pressing a finger to his lips.
May you like
Another voice joined the first—a voice that made my blood run instantly cold. It was smooth, familiar, and dripping with a forced, terrifying calm.
"Dr. Wright. Open up. It’s Logan."
