Chapter Two: Every Second Recorded
Khloe was taken into a private examination room while Marcus waited outside with bloodless hands clenched at his sides.
Every time the doors opened, he looked up.
Every time a nurse passed without speaking to him, his fear grew.
Isabella sat across the corridor under the watch of two security officers. She had recovered enough to straighten her dress and wipe away her tears. Her attorney was already on his way.
“You’re making a mistake,” she told Marcus quietly. “You know how emotional Khloe has become.”
Marcus stared at her.
“Stop talking.”
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“From my pregnant wife?”
“From a scandal.”
Marcus’s jaw tightened.
A familiar voice came from the end of the corridor.
“Too late for that.”
Elias approached with the head of security, Raymond Cole, carrying a tablet.
Marcus stepped forward. “How are Khloe and the baby?”
“The baby’s heartbeat is strong,” Elias said. “Khloe is in pain, but the doctors are hopeful. She’ll remain under observation.”
Marcus closed his eyes in relief.
Then Elias’s expression hardened.
“Now we deal with what happened.”
Isabella stood.
“My lawyer instructed me not to answer questions.”
“No one asked you one,” Elias replied.
Raymond placed the tablet on a nearby desk and opened a video file.
The hospital suite had contained two security cameras. One monitored the medication cabinet. The other covered the door and sitting area because high-profile donors had used the room during the gala.
The footage began without sound.
Khloe entered first, one hand supporting her back. She sat near the window and removed her shoes.
Three minutes later, Isabella entered.
The audio activated when she raised her voice.
“You were supposed to stay quiet.”
Marcus went still.
The recording continued.
Smile for the cameras.
Give him an heir.
Disappear.
Then came the shove.
Khloe struck the table and fell.
Isabella looked toward the door, saw no one, and stepped closer.
The camera captured the kick.
Marcus turned away before the impact appeared on the screen.
Isabella’s face collapsed.
“That video is misleading.”
Raymond stared at her. “It shows the entire room continuously.”
“She threatened me before the recording started.”
“You arrived after she did,” Elias said.
“She manipulated the situation.”
Marcus looked at Isabella as though he had never seen her before.
“You told her to give me an heir and disappear.”
Isabella shook her head. “I was angry. I didn’t mean it.”
“You attacked her.”
“She stole the life that should have been mine!”
The hallway became silent.
Even Isabella seemed surprised by her own confession.
Marcus stepped closer.
“What life?”
Her eyes shone with hatred.
“You were supposed to marry me.”
“That was ten years ago. We dated for four months.”
“Our families built everything together.”
“Our fathers did business together. That did not make me your property.”
Isabella laughed bitterly.
“No, Marcus. Your name, your company, the estate—none of it was supposed to belong to some woman your mother found embarrassing.”
Marcus’s expression darkened.
“My mother?”
Isabella realized she had said too much.
At that moment, an older woman hurried from the elevator.
Vivian Thorne wore a silver evening gown and an expression of controlled concern.
“Marcus,” she said. “I heard there was an accident.”
Elias watched her carefully.
“It wasn’t an accident.”
Vivian glanced at the tablet.
Then at Isabella.
And in that single look, Marcus saw something pass between them.
Not shock.
Recognition.
“Mother,” he said slowly, “what do you know about this?”
May you like
Vivian did not answer.
She simply lowered her eyes.
