Chapter 1 – The Recording
The silence inside Suite 1708 lasted only three seconds.
To Marcus Thorne, it felt like an eternity.
His eyes swept across the room, taking in every detail with the instinct of a man who had spent years negotiating billion-dollar acquisitions by noticing what others overlooked.
Khloe lay curled on the marble floor.
One hand clutched her stomach.
The other trembled against the shards of shattered crystal.
Her breathing was shallow.
Pain had drained every ounce of color from her face.
Across from her stood Isabella Rossi.
Perfect makeup.
Perfect dress.
Perfect tears.
Marcus had seen that performance before.
Only never directed at his wife.
"Marcus..."
Isabella's voice cracked.
"She lost control. I tried to calm her down."
Elaine Parker frowned.
Nothing about the room matched Isabella's story.
If Khloe had attacked first...
Why was Isabella untouched?
Why was Khloe the one lying on the floor?
Marcus ignored Isabella completely.
He crossed the room in three long strides before dropping beside his wife.
"Khloe."
She blinked slowly.
"I... can't..."
Another wave of pain stole her breath.
Marcus carefully placed one hand against her shoulder.
"Don't move."
His calm voice barely hid the panic underneath.
A crimson stain slowly spread across the lower part of Khloe's white maternity dress.
Elaine gasped.
"Oh my God..."
Marcus's expression changed instantly.
The businessman disappeared.
Only a terrified husband remained.
"Call trauma."
Elaine fumbled for her phone.
Already dialing.
Outside the suite, footsteps thundered through the hallway.
Doctors.
Security.
Nurses.
Within seconds the luxury room filled with medical staff.
One emergency physician knelt beside Khloe.
"Possible abdominal trauma."
"Seven months pregnant."
"Prepare fetal monitoring immediately."
As nurses lifted Khloe onto a stretcher, she reached weakly toward Marcus.
"Our baby..."
Marcus squeezed her hand.
"I'm right here."
She tried to smile.
Instead tears rolled silently down her face.
The stretcher disappeared into the hallway.
Marcus remained frozen.
Then he slowly stood.
His gaze settled on Isabella.
She instinctively stepped backward.
May you like
For the first time...
She wasn't completely sure she was in control.
