Chapter 3 – The Footage
Margaret's breathing became shallow.
"There must be some mistake," she said, forcing a brittle smile. "Those cameras don't even cover the staircase."
The hospital security officer didn't answer. He simply handed the sealed envelope to Detective Sarah Monroe.
"The Carter Foundation called as soon as they heard about the incident," he explained. "Their security director backed up every camera recording from the building before anyone could access it."
Detective Monroe accepted the envelope without taking her eyes off Margaret.
"Thank you."
Margaret swallowed hard.
For years, she had controlled every situation with confidence. A donation here. A phone call there. One favor exchanged for another. Problems disappeared because she made them disappear.
Tonight felt different.
Tonight, no one seemed interested in protecting the Carter name.
"Ethan," she pleaded softly, "tell them Emily and I were arguing. She became emotional. She lost her balance."
Ethan stared at the woman who had raised him.
As a child, he believed she could solve any problem.
As a man, he was beginning to understand she had been creating them all along.
"You pushed her."
His words landed like stones.
"I watched her fall."
Margaret shook her head desperately.
"I only wanted to stop her from leaving."
"You shoved a woman who was eight months pregnant."
Before she could answer, Detective Monroe spoke.
"Mrs. Carter, I need you to come with us to answer a few questions."
"Am I under arrest?"
"Not at this moment."
The detective's tone remained calm.
"But I strongly advise you not to leave town."
Margaret nodded, though her hands trembled uncontrollably.
As officers escorted her toward a private interview room, Ethan remained outside the operating wing.
A nurse approached him quietly.
"Mr. Carter?"
He looked up.
"Your wife is awake."
His heart pounded.
"She keeps asking for her baby."
The words struck him harder than any punch ever could.
For the first time since arriving at the hospital, Ethan felt completely helpless.
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He had to walk into that room...
...and tell the woman he loved that the child they had dreamed about for eight months was gone.
