CHAPTER 13 — THE PRICE OF THE TRUTH
Marcus’s messages appeared on every television screen.
I hate coming home.
The pregnancy has changed everything.
Sometimes I wish none of this had happened.
Commentators debated whether he had encouraged the assault.
Thorne Global’s stock collapsed.
Board members demanded his resignation.
Protesters gathered outside the hospital.
Marcus sat alone inside a conference room as his lawyers advised him to deny everything.
“Say the messages were altered,” one attorney suggested.
“They weren’t.”
“Then say they were taken out of context.”
“They weren’t.”
The attorney leaned forward.
“Mr. Thorne, admitting this could destroy your reputation.”
Marcus looked through the window toward the NICU.
“My reputation should be destroyed.”
Two hours later, he stood before the hospital entrance.
Cameras flashed.
Reporters shouted questions.
Marcus stepped to the microphone.
“The messages published this morning are real.”
The crowd erupted.
He continued.
“I did not order the assault on my wife. But I betrayed her. I spoke cruelly about her pregnancy. I gave Isabella Rossi access to my life and allowed her to believe my marriage meant nothing.”
A reporter shouted, “Are you blaming yourself for the attack?”
“I am blaming Isabella for the violence she chose. I am blaming Sebastian for the conspiracy he organized. And I am blaming myself for creating the lies they used.”
The crowd grew quiet.
Marcus took a breath.
“I am resigning as chairman of Thorne Global, effective immediately. Every dollar stolen from the hospital will be replaced from my personal assets.”
Another reporter called out, “What about your marriage?”
Marcus looked at the cameras.
“That decision belongs to Khloe.”
Inside the hospital, Khloe watched the press conference from her bed.
Adrian stood beside her.
“Do you believe him?” he asked.
“I believe he finally told the truth.”
“That isn’t the same as forgiveness.”
“No.”
On screen, Marcus announced the creation of an independent fund for victims of domestic violence and medical abuse.
Khloe turned off the television.
“I don’t want his guilt to become another performance.”
Adrian nodded.
“Then judge what he does when no one is watching.”
That evening, Marcus came to Khloe’s room carrying divorce papers.
He placed them on the table.
“I signed everything.”
Khloe stared at the documents.
“You’re giving me custody?”
“Full custody. You decide when or whether I see Hope.”
“And the house?”
“Yours.”
“The shares?”
“Half.”
She looked at him suspiciously.
“Why?”
“Because I spent months taking away your choices.”
He stepped back.
“This is me returning them.”
Khloe touched the papers but did not sign.
Marcus turned to leave.
“Where are you going?”
“To a hotel.”
“You own six houses.”
“They don’t feel like mine anymore.”
Before he reached the door, Khloe spoke.
“Hope opened her eyes today.”
Marcus froze.
“She did?”
“For almost a minute.”
He looked back.
Khloe saw hope on his face.
Then fear.
“Can I see her?”
Khloe remained silent for a long moment.
Finally, she said, “You can stand outside the glass.”
Marcus nodded.
“Thank you.”
As he walked away, Khloe looked down at the unsigned divorce papers.
May you like
She still loved him.
And that made the choice even harder.
