Three months passed quickly as autumn leaves turned gold and red across the city parks.
Inside the quiet suburban estate of Dr. Harrison, Maya sat in a sunlit nursery room, gently folding small yellow baby clothes into a wooden dresser.
Her father walked in holding a warm cup of herbal tea, setting it on the side table near the window.
Dr. Harrison: How is my favorite mom-to-be feeling today?
Maya: Better than ever, Dad. The baby has been kicking all morning.
Dr. Harrison: That means she's going to be strong, just like her mother.
Maya smiled, taking her father's hand as he sat down beside her on the comfortable rocker chair.
Maya: Did Sarah give you any updates on the bankruptcy proceedings for Vance Enterprises?
Dr. Harrison: The company officially declared Chapter 7 liquidation yesterday afternoon.
Maya: Liquidation? They lost everything?
Dr. Harrison: Every asset, including their mansion in the hills and Victoria's luxury cars.
Maya: What about Julian?
Dr. Harrison: He had to sell his private stock to pay off his corporate tax penalties. He's currently living in a small rented apartment downtown.
Maya looked out the window, feeling a quiet sense of closure settle over her heart.
Maya: It's sad how greed destroyed their entire lives in just a few months.
Dr. Harrison: They destroyed their own lives, Maya. They treated people like objects to be used and discarded.
Maya: I'm just glad my daughter will grow up around people who actually love her.
Dr. Harrison: She will have the best life imaginable, sweetheart. I promise you that.
A soft chime rang from Maya's smartphone on the dresser. She leaned over and picked it up, seeing a text message from an unknown number.
The message read: *"Maya, please... Mother lost the house today. I have nothing left. Can we please talk about the baby?"*
Maya looked at the screen for a long moment, showing it to her father.
Dr. Harrison: Do you want me to have Sarah notify the court monitor about this breach of the protective order?
Maya: No, Dad. I'll handle it myself.
Maya tapped the screen, typing out a short, clear reply before hitting send.
Her text read: *"You had everything when you had my love, Julian. You chose money and cruelty instead. Do not text this number again."*
She immediately blocked the contact number, setting the phone facedown on the wooden table.
Dr. Harrison: Are you okay, sweetheart?
Maya: I've never felt more certain of anything in my life, Dad.