Chapter 25 - The True Diagnosis
The nursery was bathed in warm, soft afternoon sunlight. The terrifying ashes of the betrayal were slowly being swept away. A private, heavily vetted pediatrician—a man flown in from Switzerland who had absolutely no ties to the empire or the Archon Group—was finishing his examination.
Victoria stood by the bay window, her arms crossed defensively over her chest. Her facial expression was stoic, but her dark eyes tracked the doctor’s every micro-movement. She watched his hands as he gently checked the baby’s vitals, searching for any sign of hesitation or deceit. The trauma of her mother’s conspiracy had left her hyper-vigilant, completely incapable of blind trust.
The doctor gently placed the baby back into the gilded crib and packed his stethoscope into his leather bag. He turned to face Victoria, offering a subtle, genuine smile.
"He is in perfect health, Madam," the doctor said, his voice calm and reassuring. "His motor reflexes, heart rate, and neurological responses are all entirely flawless. The previous medical reports you showed me were complete, undeniable works of fiction."
Victoria’s natural breathing, which had been shallow and tense, finally deepened into a slow, rhythmic exhale. She did not cry. The restrained emotions remained securely locked behind her psychological armor.
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"Thank you, Doctor," Victoria whispered. "My security team will escort you back to the private airfield. Your compensation has already been wired."
As the doctor left the room, Victoria walked over to the crib. She looked down at her sleeping son, the golden sanctuary finally feeling secure. The confirmation of his health was a profound relief, but it simultaneously ignited a cold, burning furnace of hatred in her chest toward the Archon Group. They had tried to erase a perfectly healthy child for corporate aesthetics. She would not rest until they were reduced to ash.
