Beatrice Sterling stomped down the wooden stairs.
The eighteen-year-old was furious. Her face was flushed, and she glared daggers at Josie. Her footsteps hit the hardwood like gunshots.
"Are you blind, Donovan?" Beatrice shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Josie. "She's manipulating you! She just wants to secure the last of the family's hidden funds before she runs!"
Josie looked up at her sister-in-law. She kept her expression neutral. She didn't let a single muscle in her face twitch.
Donovan moved instantly.
He stepped directly in front of Josie. His massive frame completely blocked Beatrice's line of sight. He became a physical wall between his pregnant wife and his angry sister. He didn't know if he fully believed her sudden change of heart, but the instinct to protect his wife-and the fragile child she carried-was a primal reflex he simply couldn't suppress. His muscles coiled with tension as he stood his ground.
"Lower your voice, Beatrice," Donovan commanded sternly. "Show some respect in this house."
Beatrice stopped at the bottom of the stairs, looking utterly betrayed.
"Respect?" Beatrice gasped. "How can you defend her? She threatened to kill your baby yesterday!"
Josie felt a sharp pang of guilt in her chest for the original host's vile actions. She kept her mouth shut. She let Donovan handle the battlefield.
"The divorce is off the table," Donovan stated coldly. His voice left no room for argument.
Another figure appeared at the top of the stairs.
Eleanor Sterling, Donovan's mother, looked pale and fragile. Dark circles bruised the skin under her eyes. She gripped the wooden banister tightly to keep her balance.
"Donovan?" Eleanor asked, her voice trembling violently. "Is what you said true?"
Donovan looked up at his mother. He gave a single, respectful nod.
"Josie has decided to keep the child," Donovan confirmed.
Eleanor's tired eyes instantly darted past Donovan's shoulder, locking onto Josie's stomach. Her eyes welled up with sudden, overwhelming tears.
"Mom, it's a trap!" Beatrice tried to argue, stepping forward.
Eleanor sharply raised her hand, silencing her daughter without a word.
Eleanor slowly descended the stairs. Her gaze was fixed entirely on Josie. It was a look of desperate caution mixed with starving hope.
Josie took a proactive step forward. She moved out from behind Donovan's protective shadow.
She looked at Eleanor with genuine warmth.
"I'm sorry for the stress I caused yesterday," Josie said softly.
Eleanor stopped a few feet away. Her hands shook as she searched Josie's face for any sign of deceit.
Josie gently touched her belly again.
"The baby is safe," Josie promised, locking eyes with the older woman. "And it will be born healthy."
That maternal promise shattered Eleanor's remaining defenses. A quiet, broken sob escaped her lips.
Eleanor reached out hesitantly. Josie met her halfway. She allowed the older woman to grasp her hands.
Eleanor's hands were freezing cold, but her grip was painfully tight. She was silently pleading with Josie not to break this promise.
Beatrice watched from the stairs, her face turning purple with indignation at her mother's quick surrender.
Suddenly, the adrenaline that had been keeping Josie upright evaporated. Her vision swam, and she swayed dangerously on her feet, her face draining of all color. She let out a faint, breathless gasp as her knees buckled.
The heavy tension snapped instantly. Donovan moved with lightning speed, his large hands shooting out to grip her waist and steady her before she could hit the floor. His heart hammered against his ribs at her sudden frailty. Josie leaned heavily against his solid chest, her eyes fluttering shut. The physical vulnerability made her look younger, softer, and far less malicious.
Eleanor wiped her tears frantically. Her maternal instincts kicked into overdrive at the sight of the pale pregnant woman.
"Oh, you're utterly exhausted and starving," Eleanor fussed, her voice thick with emotion. "I won't let my grandchild go hungry. I'll go warm up some soup."
Eleanor hurried toward the kitchen, leaving Beatrice standing awkwardly on the bottom step.
Donovan looked at Josie. His dark eyes were significantly softer than they had been ten minutes ago. He gestured with his chin toward the dining room.
Josie walked past Beatrice. She offered a polite, brief nod. Beatrice scoffed loudly and turned her head away in disgust.
