*Noah's POV*
The weight of Scarlett's question hangs between us like a blade. Her eyes search my face, waiting for an answer that will determine our future.
I take a deep breath. "She's going to carry the baby to term."
"And then?"
"I'm going to fight for custody." The words come out harder than I intended. "Full custody if possible."
Scarlett's eyebrows rise slightly. "You want to raise the child yourself?"
"My mother lives in Australia now. She's been wanting grandchildren for years." I lean forward, my hands clasped tightly. "She could give the baby a stable home. Away from all this mess."
"Away from Chloe."
"Yes."
Scarlett considers this, her expression unreadable. "That's a big decision. Taking a child away from its mother."
"Chloe isn't mother material. You've seen what she's like. Manipulative. Selfish. Everything becomes a game to her." My jaw tightens. "I won't let her use that child as a weapon against me for the next eighteen years."
