Gabriel looked toward Clara.
Then back at him.
"Then start acting like you care about someone besides yourself."
The words hung between them.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Edmund's face turned red.
He stepped forward abruptly and reached toward Clara's wrist.
"We're leaving this foolishness behind."
Clara recoiled.
Gabriel moved immediately.
He caught Edmund's forearm before the man could take hold of her.
Then shoved him backward away from the porch steps.
Edmund stumbled into the snow.
His expensive boots slid.
The attorney hurried toward him.
For one tense moment, Gabriel stood at the edge of the porch, breathing heavily.
His eyes were fierce.
"Don't touch my wife."
Edmund stared up at him.
For the first time, genuine fear crossed his face.
He straightened slowly.
Brushed snow from his coat.
Then pointed toward Gabriel.
"You'll regret that."
Gabriel remained still.
"Perhaps."
Edmund's voice shook with anger.
"I have influence you can't imagine."
Gabriel nodded.
"I believe you."
The answer seemed to confuse him.
Then Gabriel continued.
"But influence isn't authority to put your hands on someone who has told you no."
Edmund stared.
Clara stepped forward.
Gabriel glanced toward her.
She raised one hand gently.
He moved aside.
Clara looked directly at Edmund.
For several seconds, she seemed to gather every bit of courage she possessed.
Then she spoke.
"I loved you once."
Edmund went still.
Her voice trembled.
"I believed your promises. I believed you wanted a future with me."
He stared.
She continued.
"But when I told you about the baby, you stopped speaking to me as though I were a person."
Her eyes filled.
"You treated me like a problem to be solved."
Edmund looked away.
Clara pressed a hand against her stomach.
"This child deserves better than that."
For a moment, she struggled to continue.
Then she looked toward Gabriel.
He stood beside her.
Quiet.
Steady.
Waiting.
She turned back toward Edmund.
"I won't sign your agreement."
The attorney began to speak.
Clara raised one hand.
"And I won't discuss surrendering my child."
Her voice strengthened.
"If you believe you have a lawful claim, have your attorney contact mine."
Edmund stared.
Clara took a slow breath.
"But you will not frighten me into doing what you want."
For several seconds, the wind was the only sound.
Then Edmund looked toward Gabriel.
His expression became cold.
"This isn't over."
Gabriel nodded.
"Then we'll deal with what comes next."
Edmund turned.