Two days later, the reality of her escape set in. She was free, but she was a prisoner of a different kind.
Victoria sat at Dominic’s glass dining table, her laptop open. She needed to book a private obstetrician–someone unaffiliated with Sterling Medical or the Croft payroll. She entered her credit card details.
*Transaction Declined.*
She frowned and tried her debit card.
*Transaction Declined. Contact Issuer.*
Her phone buzzed. It was an email from her bank. *Notice of Asset Freezing pursuant to Court Order Vance v. Vance.*
“Silas,” she whispered, the blood draining from her face.
Her uncle hadn’t just sued her; he had successfully petitioned for an emergency injunction. Every cent she had earned as “Luna,” every dollar of the prize money, was locked away until the intellectual property dispute was settled.
She was penniless.
“Victoria?” Dominic walked in, seeing her pale face. “What happened?”
“He froze it,” she whispered, staring at the screen. “I have nothing. I can’t pay a doctor. I can’t buy diapers. I am completely dependent on you.”
“My money is your money,” Dominic said immediately, reaching for his wallet.
“No!” Victoria stood up, knocking the chair back. “Don’t you see? That’s what William did. He tried to buy me. If I take your money, I’m just trading one cage for another. I need to be able to stand on my own.”