CHAPTER 3 — THE BILLIONAIRE STOPS PLAYING NICE

The hospital became a fortress.

Uniformed officers sealed the maternity floor.

Detectives photographed every shard of crystal, every smear of blood, every scrape against the marble table.

Isabella refused to panic.

Not yet.

She had lawyers.

Influential friends.

The Rossi family had spent decades buying silence.

One hospital recording wouldn't ruin her.

She lifted her chin as two detectives approached.

"I'd like my attorney."

"You'll have one."

The detective nodded.

"After you're processed."

The confidence in Isabella's eyes flickered.

Across the hallway, Marcus stood outside the operating suite.

He hadn't removed the blood from his cuff.

He didn't even notice it.

Dr. Cole finally emerged.

Marcus searched his face before asking the only question that mattered.

"My wife?"

"Stable."

Marcus exhaled for the first time in nearly an hour.

"And the baby?"

Dr. Cole smiled faintly.

"His heartbeat never stopped."

Marcus closed his eyes.

Relief nearly brought him to his knees.

"But..."

Dr. Cole continued.

"Khloe suffered internal bleeding."

"She'll recover."

"The baby needs constant monitoring until delivery."

Marcus nodded silently.

Then his phone vibrated.

Unknown Number.

He answered.

"Mr. Thorne."

The voice belonged to the hospital's digital security director.

"There's something else you need to see."

Minutes later, Marcus entered the surveillance office.

Another camera angle appeared.

This one came from the hallway outside the suite.

It showed Isabella making a phone call before entering.

The audio wasn't perfect.

But one sentence came through clearly.

"If she loses that baby..."

"...Marcus will never forgive her."

A pause.

Then Isabella laughed softly.

"Either way..."

"I win."

Nobody in the room breathed.

Marcus stared at the screen.

Every illusion disappeared.

This hadn't been jealousy.

It had been planned.

He turned toward the lead detective.

"Upgrade the charges."

"Attempted murder."

The detective didn't argue.

He simply nodded.

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