Chapter 1: The Lie That Cracked
Chapter 1: The Lie That Cracked
Marcus didn't answer Isabella.
His eyes never left Khloe.
She was curled on the carpet, one trembling hand clutching her stomach while the other struggled to push herself upright. Her breathing came in shallow, painful bursts.
"Marcus..." she whispered. "The baby..."
Everything else disappeared.
Marcus rushed across the room, dropping to his knees beside his wife.
"Don't move."
He carefully supported her shoulders as she winced in agony.
Elaine had already pressed the emergency call button mounted beside the suite door.
"OB trauma team! Now!" she shouted into the hallway.
Within seconds, nurses and physicians flooded into the room.
One doctor immediately noticed the broken glass, the overturned furniture, and the crimson mark already spreading beneath Khloe's maternity dress where Isabella's heel had struck.
"Possible abdominal trauma," the physician ordered. "Prepare Labor and Delivery. Move her now."
Isabella crossed her arms.
"I told you she fell."
No one answered.
Two security officers quietly stepped inside and positioned themselves near the exit.
Marcus finally looked at Isabella.
His expression wasn't angry.
It was empty.
"I watched you kick my wife."
Isabella smiled nervously.
"You only saw the end."
"I saw enough."
She stepped closer.
"Marcus...she's manipulating you."
He slowly stood.
"You touched my family."
Those four words froze the room.
Before Isabella could speak again, another voice echoed down the hallway.
"What happened to my niece?"
Every employee immediately turned.
Hospital Director Jonathan Carter strode toward the suite, still wearing his conference badge.
Marcus blinked.
"Director Carter?"
Jonathan ignored everyone else and hurried straight to Khloe's side.
He gently held her face.
"Sweetheart...look at me."
Khloe nodded weakly.
"Uncle Jonathan..."
Marcus stared in disbelief.
"You never told me..."
Jonathan looked up.
"I asked her not to."
Marcus frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Jonathan sighed.
"My sister wanted Khloe to build a life where people loved her for who she was—not because our family owns half the city's medical network."
Silence settled over the room.
Every nurse looked from Khloe to the hospital director with newfound understanding.
Jonathan's voice hardened.
"Lock this floor down."
Security immediately obeyed.
May you like
"No one leaves."
Especially Isabella.
