CHAPTER 3 — THE EMERGENCY DELIVERY
Marcus followed the stretcher until the surgical doors slammed in his face.
“Khloe!”
She heard him.
But she didn’t answer.
The lights above her blurred as nurses raced through the corridor.
Adrian walked beside her.
“Listen to me. We may need to deliver the baby.”
“It’s too early.”
“Thirty-one weeks gives us a strong chance.”
“A chance?”
“Khloe, look at me.”
She forced her eyes open.
“We are not losing either of you.”
Another contraction gripped her.
She cried out and grabbed his arm.
“Don’t let Marcus make decisions for me.”
Adrian stared at her.
“What are you saying?”
“If I lose consciousness, you make the decisions.”
“He’s your husband.”
“He didn’t believe me.”
The surgical team wheeled her into the operating room.
Outside, Marcus stood motionless.
Elaine approached carefully.
“I’m sorry.”
He turned on her.
“For what?”
“For seeing what happened and freezing.”
“You saw Isabella attack her?”
“No. The door was closed.”
“Then don’t say you saw anything.”
Elaine flinched.
Marcus immediately regretted his tone.
He lowered his voice.
“What did Khloe say before we arrived?”
“I heard her say, ‘You think those messages will make him leave me?’”
Marcus froze.
“What messages?”
“I don’t know.”
Across the hall, Isabella watched them.
A police officer stood beside her.
Marcus walked over.
“What messages?”
She blinked.
“What?”
“Khloe mentioned messages.”
“I have no idea.”
“Stop lying.”
Her expression changed.
The frightened woman disappeared.
“Be careful, Marcus.”
“My wife and child are in surgery.”
“And whose fault is that?”
His eyes darkened.
“Yours.”
“You don’t know that yet.”
“I know you lied about the hospital cameras.”
“I panicked.”
“You tried to destroy the tablet.”
“It slipped.”
Marcus leaned closer.
“If that footage shows you touching her, I will bury you.”
Isabella gave a bitter laugh.
“You’ve been burying the truth for months.”
“What truth?”
“That you wanted me.”
Marcus looked away.
That was enough.
Isabella smiled.
“You kissed me in Milan.”
Elaine stared at him.
The officer’s expression remained neutral, but Marcus felt exposed.
“It was one mistake,” he said.
“One?” Isabella asked. “You came to my room twice.”
Marcus grabbed her arm.
The officer immediately stepped between them.
“Sir, back away.”
Marcus released her.
At that moment, the surgical doors opened.
Adrian emerged wearing scrubs marked with blood near one sleeve.
Marcus rushed toward him.
“Tell me.”
“Khloe is alive.”
Marcus exhaled.
“And the baby?”
Adrian’s eyes were grim.
“It’s a girl. Three pounds, eight ounces. She’s in the neonatal intensive care unit.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’s breathing with assistance.”
Marcus covered his mouth.
Adrian stepped closer.
“Your wife suffered a partial placental abruption caused by blunt force trauma.”
Marcus slowly lowered his hand.
“What does that mean?”
“It means she did not simply fall.”
Across the hallway, Isabella stopped breathing.
Adrian looked at the officers.
“This was an assault.”
The lead officer reached for his handcuffs.
But Isabella suddenly pointed at Marcus.
“Then arrest him too.”
Marcus stared at her.
May you like
She smiled through her tears.
“He paid me to get rid of the baby.”
