Chapter 5 - THE LOCKED NURSERY
Khloe barely had time to close the cabinet.
Richard's footsteps moved through the foyer.
Then up the stairs.
She slipped into the nursery.
Her hands were shaking so badly she nearly dropped her phone.
The photographs were still there.
Thirty-eight images.
Enough to destroy her marriage.
Maybe enough to send her husband to prison.
She uploaded them to a cloud folder Harrison had created.
Then she deleted the copies from her phone.
Richard knocked.
"Khloe?"
She opened the door.
He looked at the nursery.
Then at her.
"Why was the door locked?"
"I was changing."
"In the nursery?"
Khloe forced a smile.
"My dress zipper got stuck."
Richard stepped closer.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then he kissed her forehead.
"You should rest."
"I will."
He left.
Khloe waited until she heard the shower.
Then she texted Harrison.
I found everything.
His reply came instantly.
Leave the house.
Khloe looked toward the hallway.
She almost obeyed.
Then her baby kicked.
A powerful movement beneath her ribs.
She rested both hands on her stomach.
"I know."
She whispered.
"I know."
That night, she packed a small bag and hid it in the trunk of her car.
The next morning, Harrison filed an emergency petition under seal to freeze any transaction involving Khloe's trust interest.
He also contacted federal financial investigators he trusted.
Richard discovered the freeze before lunch.
He called Khloe twelve times.
She did not answer.
At 2:14 p.m., Vanessa called.
Khloe stared at the name.
Then answered.
"You need to stop this."
Vanessa's voice was different now.
No charm.
No pretense.
"Stop what?"
"Your brother is interfering in business he doesn't understand."
Khloe almost laughed.
"Harrison understands exactly what you're doing."
Vanessa went silent.
Khloe continued.
"I know about the shell companies."
Silence.
"I know about the forged signatures."
Silence.
"And I know about you and my husband."
Vanessa finally spoke.
"You think you're special because Harrison protects you."
"No."
"I think I'm protected because you made the mistake of leaving evidence."
Vanessa's breathing changed.
Then she said something Khloe would remember forever.
"You should have stayed stupid."
The call ended.
Khloe immediately forwarded the recording to Harrison.
Richard did not come home that night.
The next morning, Khloe filed for divorce.
She also requested an emergency injunction preventing Richard from transferring company assets.
The hearing was scheduled for Friday at the Montgomery County Courthouse.
Harrison wanted Khloe to stay home.
She refused.
"This is my marriage."
"It's also a criminal investigation now."
"I need to look him in the face."
Harrison sighed.
"You always were stubborn."
"You raised me."
"That's unfortunately true."
Before hanging up, Harrison said one more thing.
"Do not be alone with Richard or Vanessa."
Khloe promised.
Three days later, she stood at the top of the courthouse staircase.
May you like
And Vanessa Kensington walked toward her.
Alone.
