Chapter 5
Khloe ended the video call.
She could not look at Daniel.
The man who had protected her since childhood was suddenly connected to her father’s death.
Daniel returned to the hospital under police escort.
Khloe waited until the door closed.
“Tell me the truth.”
“I was twenty-three,” he said. “I worked in Evelyn’s accounting department.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Daniel looked at the floor.
“Your father discovered false reports. Evelyn threatened to blame me for them. I had gambling debts. I was scared.”
“So you betrayed him.”
“I told her where he was meeting a federal investigator.”
Khloe’s voice shook.
“And then he died.”
“I never knew she would hurt him.”
“But you stayed silent.”
“Yes.”
The word cut deeper than any excuse.
Khloe turned away.
“Leave.”
“Khloe—”
“Leave before I call security.”
Daniel’s eyes filled with tears.
He placed her father’s letter on the table and walked out.
Marcus watched him go.
Then Detective Torres entered.
“We arrested Evelyn.”
Khloe felt no relief.
“For the explosion?”
“We found materials in a storage unit rented through her assistant. We also recovered payments to Isabella.”
“What payments?”
“Evelyn paid Isabella to stay close to Marcus, monitor your pregnancy, and replace your vitamins.”
Marcus covered his mouth.
Khloe studied him.
“Did you sleep with Isabella?”
He closed his eyes.
“Once.”
The answer shattered the final piece of their marriage.
“When?”
“The night you were admitted for dehydration.”
“The night I supposedly signed the custody papers?”
“Yes.”
Khloe’s eyes burned.
“You left me drugged in a hospital bed and went to her.”
“I hated myself the moment it happened.”
“But not enough to tell me.”
Marcus reached for her.
She pulled away.
“Don’t touch me.”
A sudden pressure tightened across her stomach.
Then another.
Dr. Reid rushed in and examined the monitor.
“The contractions are returning.”
“It’s too early,” Khloe whispered.
“We may have to deliver tonight.”
Marcus moved toward the bed.
Khloe pointed to the door.
“Get him out.”
“Khloe, please.”
“You made your choice that night. Now I’m making mine.”
Security escorted Marcus away.
Dr. Reid prepared the operating room.
Khloe signed her own consent forms.
Every signature felt like taking back a piece of her life.
As nurses wheeled her down the hallway, Detective Torres walked beside her.
“We found one more message on Isabella’s phone,” she said. “It was sent to Marcus.”
Khloe’s heart sank.
“What did it say?”
Torres showed her.
The message read: Your mother wants the baby tonight. Make sure Khloe drinks what I left in the blue bottle.
Below it was Marcus’s response.
I’ll handle it.
Khloe stared at the screen.
Marcus had claimed he knew nothing about the drugs.
Yet the message was clear.
“Arrest him,” she whispered.
Torres nodded.
Officers moved toward Marcus.
He looked confused as they took his arms.
“What is happening?”
Khloe held up the phone.
“You said you didn’t know.”
Marcus read the message.
His face changed from confusion to fear.
“I didn’t send that.”
“Stop lying.”
“My phone was missing that night!”
Officers handcuffed him.
As Khloe disappeared through the operating-room doors, Marcus shouted after her.
“Check the security footage! Khloe, someone used my phone!”
The doors closed.
A nurse placed a mask over Khloe’s face.
Dr. Reid looked at the monitor.
May you like
Then every alarm in the room began screaming.
“We’re losing the baby.”
