Nick and his team of lawyer friends had been steadily uncovering corruption in various lower tiers of the organization. Over the course of several months, they secured significant legal victories. However, the ones convicted were always from the bottom rungs of the pyramid. The leadership remained untouchable, shrouded behind an impenetrable fortress of power, wealth, and legal shields.
Sara, too, found herself unable to get close to them. Her growing belly—now seven months along—kept her from moving in the shadows as she once had. Each day of stillness, each moment spent waiting, gnawed at her nerves. The sense of helplessness was unbearable. She had once been a whisper in the night, a blade in the dark. Now, she felt caged.
In Nick's office that rainy afternoon, Sara stood in silence while her husband cradled her from behind, his hands resting lovingly on her stomach. He smiled as he felt the baby kick. She closed her eyes and fought back tears.
"He's crying," she whispered.
Nick blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I can feel it," she said, her voice trembling. "He's upset because I am. He's hurting because I'm hurting."
Nick gently turned her toward him, pulling her into his embrace, pressing his lips to her damp black hair. "You're not alone, love. And you're not failing anyone."
But Sara's tears refused to stop. She could feel the walls of her own mind crumbling under the weight of inaction. "I should be protecting you... protecting them. Instead I'm just—waiting. Watching. Powerless."
"You're growing a life inside of you, Sara. That's not weakness. That's the greatest strength of all."
His words calmed her like warm sunlight breaking through a storm. The baby stopped trembling within her. A wave of serenity washed over her chest.
"He's laughing now," she said with a soft, tearful smile. "He heard you."
Just then, Anthony and Ana burst into the room. Without hesitation, they ran to their mother, placing gentle kisses on her belly.
"Hey there, little brother," they chimed in unison.
The room filled with laughter and brightness. Nick knelt beside Sara, pressing a kiss to her cheek and whispering, "We're all here, Sara. You've already protected us just by surviving."
Later that evening, Karin came in with her medical bag, checking Sara's vitals as the sky turned violet with dusk. "Everything looks good," she announced with a nod. "You're doing great."
Sara managed a weak smile. Karin's quiet strength had become her anchor. As the weeks passed, time began to accelerate. Before long, Sara was admitted into the city's most prestigious clinic. Her labor was calm and controlled, guided safely by Karin's skilled hands.
A healthy baby boy, the very image of Sara, was born.
While Sara recovered, Karin and Lucy remained close, never leaving her side. But beneath the clinical calm, threats still loomed. One evening, Lucy noticed something off in the behavior of two nurses. That same night, Karin discovered a tampered IV bag.
They informed Nick, who sent Javier to investigate quietly. He confirmed it: three infiltrators had been placed within the clinic. A doctor and two nurses—all tied to the organization.
Nick acted swiftly, pressing charges against them for attempted murder. Though unable to tie them directly to the organization in court, he struck a deal with the clinic's director: fire them and grant Sara permanent immunity from staff interference. The director agreed.
When Sara was finally discharged, she walked out of the clinic with her child in her arms and Nick at her side. Only then did she learn how close danger had been.
"As long as I live," Nick told her, holding the baby's blanket against his chest, "you'll never face them alone."
"Thank you," she whispered, voice full of emotion. Her newborn stirred but did not wake, safe in her warmth.
The moment they stepped inside the Archer mansion, the twins greeted them with squeals of joy. They gazed at the baby in awe, whispering to each other as if in the presence of something sacred.
"Welcome home, sweetheart," Nick said, kissing the infant's forehead. Then he turned to Sara and kissed her cheek. "Welcome home, my love."
Sara smiled, tears clinging to her lashes. The family gathered around the crib, placing the child gently inside.
"What's our baby brother's name?" the twins asked in unison.
Sara looked to Nick, then answered with quiet pride. "Ismael. After my older brother."
Nick nodded with deep affection. "A beautiful name, my love."
"Yes! Beautiful!" the twins echoed with glee.
But even as laughter echoed through the halls, a shadow clung to the corners of Sara's heart. She had brought new life into the world—yes. But the ghosts of the past still stirred beyond the gates.
And soon, they would come knocking again.