Chapter 2 – Every Angle of the Truth
The private security office on the hospital's lower level was unusually silent.
No one reached for a cup of coffee. No one checked a phone. Every pair of eyes was fixed on the wall of monitors as David Sterling entered with Marcus at his side.
"Pull the footage," David said.
The head of hospital security nodded immediately.
"All four cameras covering the executive suite corridor and interior have already been isolated."
Within seconds, the screens came to life.
The first video showed Khloe entering the suite alone. She looked exhausted, gently rubbing her stomach before sitting near the window. For several quiet minutes, nothing happened.
Then Isabella appeared.
She didn't knock.
She walked in confidently, closing the door behind her.
The room remained silent except for the faint audio captured by the security system.
Marcus listened as Isabella's voice filled the room.
"You were never supposed to stay beside him."
His jaw tightened.
The next several minutes unfolded exactly as Khloe had described.
No threats.
No aggression.
Khloe repeatedly asked Isabella to leave.
She never raised a hand.
She never even stood up until Isabella deliberately stepped closer.
Then came the shove.
One violent push.
Khloe's body crashed against the marble table.
Marcus instinctively closed his eyes for a moment.
But the footage wasn't finished.
The second attack was even worse.
The recording clearly showed Isabella taking two deliberate steps forward before driving the pointed heel of her stiletto into Khloe's side.
There was no struggle.
No self-defense.
No confusion.
Just calculated violence.
The room remained completely silent after the video stopped.
Finally, the security director spoke.
"I've reviewed hundreds of incident reports."
He looked toward Isabella's frozen image on the monitor.
"This wasn't accidental."
David folded his arms.
"No."
"It was intentional."
Marcus didn't say a word.
His hands were clenched so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.
For weeks, he had dismissed small warning signs.
Khloe had quietly mentioned Isabella's inappropriate comments.
The lingering looks.
The subtle insults.
The unnecessary physical contact during public events.
Each time, Marcus had assumed they were misunderstandings caused by stressful social obligations.
Now guilt settled heavily on his shoulders.
"I should have listened," he murmured.
David looked at him.
"You still can."
Before Marcus could respond, his phone rang.
The caller ID read:
Obstetric Emergency Unit.
His heart nearly stopped.
He answered immediately.
"Marcus Thorne."
Dr. Caldwell's voice sounded calm but urgent.
"Your wife is stable."
Marcus released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"But..."
The single word tightened every muscle in his body again.
"The impact caused partial placental separation. The baby is still alive, but Mrs. Thorne will need constant monitoring. Any additional stress could become dangerous."
Marcus closed his eyes.
"Can I see her?"
"Yes."
"But there's something else."
Dr. Caldwell hesitated.
"When we examined Mrs. Thorne, she asked us not to tell you until she could speak herself."
Marcus frowned.
"What is it?"
A long silence followed.
Then came the words that changed everything.
"Mr. Thorne..."
"...your wife has been hiding something from you for nearly three months."
Marcus felt the blood drain from his face.
"What are you talking about?"
"It isn't an affair."
"It isn't about your marriage."
Dr. Caldwell lowered his voice.
"It's about why someone may have wanted your wife—and your unborn child—gone."
Marcus stared at the floor, unable to speak.
May you like
Whatever waited for him upstairs...
Was far bigger than a jealous rival.
