Chapter 4 - The Baby Clause
Khloe had spent most of her adult life believing her father’s estate had been settled years ago.
Apparently, it had not.
Gabriel explained it slowly.
Her father, Jonathan Mercer, had built a massive investment partnership before his death.
When Khloe married Marcus, part of that partnership had been merged into Thorne Holdings.
Marcus became temporary trustee of several voting shares.
Temporary.
Khloe’s first living child would end that arrangement.
“The moment your child is born,” Gabriel said, “the voting control returns to you.”
“How much control?”
“Fifty-two percent.”
Marcus looked toward the window.
Khloe stared at him.
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Since before our wedding.”
Another lie.
Another secret.
Khloe pressed a hand against her stomach.
“You married me knowing my first child would eventually control the company through me.”
Marcus turned.
“I married you because I loved you.”
“But you knew.”
“Yes.”
“And you never told me.”
“Your father’s lawyers required confidentiality.”
Gabriel’s expression hardened.
“That restriction expired three years ago.”
Marcus looked at him.
Khloe saw the truth before either man spoke.
“You could have told me.”
Marcus said nothing.
Khloe nodded slowly.
“You chose not to.”
A security officer entered.
“Mr. Mercer.”
Gabriel stood.
“What?”
“We pulled the access records for Suite 1704.”
“And?”
The officer looked at Marcus.
“The executive keycard used by Ms. Rossi is registered to Marcus Thorne.”
Khloe closed her eyes.
Marcus shook his head.
“I didn’t give her that card.”
“It has your registration number.”
“It went missing months ago.”
Gabriel stepped closer.
“And you didn’t report it?”
“I thought I misplaced it.”
“When?”
Marcus hesitated.
“February.”
Khloe opened her eyes.
February.
The month Marcus claimed he had ended the affair.
Gabriel’s expression darkened.
“Convenient.”
“I didn’t give it to her.”
The security officer spoke again.
“There’s something else.”
He placed a printed access log on the table.
“Ms. Rossi used that card eleven times in the last four months.”
Khloe stared at the page.
“Where?”
“Executive offices.”
“Private patient floors.”
“And twice in the records department.”
Gabriel frowned.
“Why would she need medical records?”
Nobody answered.
Then Dr. Shaw entered abruptly.
She looked worried.
“Khloe, I need to examine you again.”
Khloe’s heart jumped.
“Why?”
“The contractions are getting closer together.”
Marcus moved toward her.
Khloe lifted one hand.
“Stay there.”
He stopped.
Dr. Shaw checked the monitor.
Khloe watched everyone’s faces.
Something was wrong.
Finally, the doctor looked at her.
“We’re going to administer medication to calm your uterus.”
Khloe swallowed.
“Am I going into labor?”
“Not yet.”
The words were careful.
Too careful.
As the nurse prepared the medication, Gabriel’s phone rang.
He answered.
His face changed within seconds.
“What do you mean someone accessed her medical file tonight?”
Khloe looked up.
Gabriel turned toward Marcus.
“Someone opened Khloe’s obstetric records twenty minutes before the attack.”
Marcus went pale.
“Who?”
Gabriel stared at the phone.
May you like
“The login belonged to a nurse who claims she never touched the computer.”
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