CHAPTER 10 — THE FAMILY TRAITOR
Khloe stared at her uncle through the hospital room window.
Adrian had not spoken since Sebastian’s arrest.
Marcus was in surgery while Hope was returned safely to the NICU.
Detective Brooks entered carrying a folder.
“We traced the first leak.”
Khloe’s hands tightened around the blanket.
“Who was it?”
Brooks looked at Adrian.
“Dr. Hale’s administrative account accessed Mrs. Thorne’s audit files two weeks ago.”
Khloe turned toward him.
“Uncle Adrian?”
“I didn’t access them.”
“Someone used your password.”
“I don’t share it.”
Brooks opened the folder.
“The login came from your home computer.”
Adrian went pale.
Khloe whispered, “Who has access to your house?”
His answer came reluctantly.
“My wife.”
Marianne Hale arrived at the hospital fifteen minutes later.
She wore a beige coat over silk pajamas. Her eyes were red, but she didn’t look surprised.
Brooks escorted her into a private room.
Khloe insisted on attending.
Adrian sat across from his wife.
“Tell me you didn’t do this.”
Marianne folded her hands.
“I didn’t know anyone would get hurt.”
Khloe felt sick.
“What did you think would happen?”
“Sebastian told me he only needed proof that the hospital funds were being mishandled.”
“You gave him my audit?”
“He said Marcus was using the charity to hide business losses.”
Adrian stared at her.
“Why would you believe him?”
Marianne looked at the floor.
“Because he paid our son’s gambling debts.”
Adrian stood so quickly that his chair fell backward.
“What?”
“Our son owed dangerous people eight hundred thousand dollars.”
“So you betrayed Khloe?”
“I was trying to save Daniel.”
“You almost killed Hope.”
Marianne began to cry.
“I didn’t know about Isabella.”
Khloe leaned forward.
“Did Sebastian know I would be in the suite?”
Marianne hesitated.
Brooks caught it.
“Answer the question.”
“Yes.”
“How?”
Marianne looked at Khloe.
“I told him.”
Khloe closed her eyes.
The charity gala schedule had been private. Only family and senior hospital staff knew Khloe planned to rest upstairs before the final speech.
Adrian’s voice broke.
“You gave him the room number?”
“Yes.”
He turned away from his wife.
For thirty years, Adrian had trusted Marianne with his home, his family, and his career.
One desperate choice had shattered all three.
Brooks stood.
“Marianne Hale, you are under arrest for conspiracy, unauthorized access to protected files, and obstruction.”
As the handcuffs closed around her wrists, Marianne looked at Khloe.
“Please forgive me.”
Khloe’s eyes filled with tears.
“I was begging Isabella to stop while you helped her find me.”
Marianne lowered her head.
Khloe turned away.
A nurse rushed into the room.
“Mrs. Thorne, you need to come to the NICU.”
Khloe’s heart stopped.
“What happened?”
The nurse hesitated.
“Your daughter has developed internal bleeding.”
Khloe gripped the bedrail.
“Can you save her?”
The nurse looked toward Adrian.
“We need a surgeon immediately.”
Adrian stared at the wife who had betrayed them.
Then he removed his wedding ring.
May you like
He placed it on the table.
And ran toward the operating room.
