Chapter 1: The Lie That Broke Apart
Chapter 1: The Lie That Broke Apart
Marcus looked from Isabella to Khloe.
For one terrible second, nobody breathed.
Then he saw it.
A thin trail of blood slowly spreading beneath Khloe's white gown.
His face lost all color.
"Call the emergency team!" he shouted.
Doctors and nurses rushed into the suite.
One physician immediately knelt beside Khloe while another checked the baby's heartbeat with a portable monitor.
"Sir," the doctor said urgently, "we need the operating room ready now. She's showing signs of placental trauma."
Marcus dropped to his knees beside his wife.
"Khloe... stay with me."
Khloe grabbed his sleeve with trembling fingers.
"I didn't... fall."
Her voice was barely audible.
"She kicked me."
Before Marcus could answer, Isabella interrupted.
"She's lying! She attacked me because she found out Marcus and I—"
"Enough."
Marcus's voice was colder than anyone had ever heard.
He slowly stood.
His eyes locked onto Isabella.
"If you're telling the truth..."
He turned toward Elaine.
"...then the cameras in this hospital will prove it."
The confidence vanished from Isabella's face for the first time.
"There aren't cameras inside patient rooms."
Marcus nodded once.
"No."
"But there are cameras in every hallway... every entrance... every elevator."
His phone rang.
The caller ID displayed a name that immediately changed everything.
Dr. Adrian Holloway.
Marcus answered.
"Marcus."
"I've just landed," the calm voice said.
"I heard my niece was admitted."
Marcus swallowed.
"Uncle Adrian..."
Within minutes, the doors opened again.
Every nurse immediately straightened.
Doctors moved aside.
Even the hospital administrators lowered their heads.
Because the man walking toward them wasn't simply another physician.
He was Dr. Adrian Holloway—
the founder...
the hospital director...
and Khloe's uncle.
Isabella blinked in confusion.
She had spent months believing Khloe was an ordinary woman Marcus married out of obligation.
She had never imagined her family controlled the very hospital where she had just committed assault.
Adrian didn't even glance at Isabella.
He walked straight to Khloe.
Gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.
Then looked at Marcus.
"Save my niece."
The doctors nodded immediately.
As Khloe was rushed toward surgery, Adrian finally turned around.
His eyes settled on Isabella.
"I want every security recording."
"Every hallway."
"Every elevator."
"And lock every exit."
The color drained from Isabella's face.
May you like
For the first time...
she realized there might be no escape.
