CHAPTER 6: THIRTY MARBLE STEPS
Two days later, Khloe returned to court for a temporary custody and property hearing.
Harrison wanted private security surrounding her.
Khloe refused.
“I’m not going to live like a prisoner because Richard chose a criminal.”
“You’re eight months pregnant.”
“And I’m still allowed to walk into a courthouse.”
Harrison reluctantly agreed, but he remained beside her until a clerk called him back inside to correct a filing issue.
Khloe waited near the top of the staircase.
That was when Vanessa approached.
She was alone.
“You destroyed my career,” Vanessa said.
Khloe turned away.
“The board suspended you because you accepted stolen money.”
“You gave Harrison the files.”
“Richard gave me access to his lies.”
Vanessa moved closer.
Reporters and court employees passed around them, unaware that anything was wrong.
“You think he’ll stay in prison and you’ll raise that child with his money?”
“I think you should step away from me.”
“Richard loves me.”
“Then ask him why your name appears on every company the federal investigators are examining.”
Vanessa’s face changed.
Khloe saw the realization land.
Richard had not made Vanessa his partner.
He had made her the visible owner of the shell corporations.
If the scheme collapsed, her signature would be on everything.
“He said the companies were legal,” Vanessa whispered.
“He lied to both of us.”
“No.”
“He planned to blame you.”
“No!”
Vanessa grabbed Khloe’s arm.
Khloe pulled away.
“Leave me alone.”
“You did this!”
Vanessa shoved her.
For a fraction of a second, Khloe remained balanced at the edge.
Her eyes widened.
Then her heel slipped.
She fell backward.
Her body struck the first step, then the second, then the third.
People screamed.
Khloe tumbled down the marble staircase as her arms wrapped desperately around her stomach.
At the bottom, she stopped moving.
Blood spread beneath her navy dress.
Harrison ran from the courthouse doors and dropped beside her.
“Khloe. Look at me.”
Her eyes opened weakly.
“The baby…”
“An ambulance is coming.”
“Save her, Harry.”
Her fingers slipped from his jacket.
At the top of the stairs, Richard stood beside Vanessa.
He did not run toward his wife.
He whispered something to his mistress.
Harrison looked up just in time to read his lips.
Run.
May you like
Vanessa turned toward the courthouse doors.
But every exit was already closing.
