Chapter 3 — Blood Is Thicker Than Money
Three hours later, the surgery ended.
The lead obstetric surgeon removed her mask.
Marcus stood before she spoke.
"My wife?"
"She's alive."
Marcus nearly collapsed.
"The baby?"
"We managed to stop the bleeding."
"The baby is stable."
"But the next forty-eight hours will be critical."
Marcus whispered a shaky thank you.
The doctor hesitated.
"There is something else."
"Mrs. Thorne showed signs of repeated physical stress over the past several weeks."
Marcus frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"High blood pressure."
"Extreme anxiety."
"Lack of sleep."
"It didn't happen overnight."
Those words hit harder than anything else.
He suddenly remembered every dinner Khloe had quietly skipped.
Every smile that looked forced.
Every time she insisted she was simply tired.
He had never asked why.
Because work always came first.
Because Isabella always had another meeting.
Another emergency.
Another excuse.
Marcus closed his eyes.
For the first time in years...
He realized he had failed the one person who had never failed him.
Meanwhile...
Nathan watched the security footage alone.
He forced himself not to look away.
Every shove.
Every lie.
Every kick.
Every desperate attempt Khloe made to protect her unborn child.
When the video ended...
The room remained silent.
Nathan slowly removed his glasses.
Then he made one phone call.
"Commissioner?"
"I need detectives here."
May you like
"This isn't an accident."
"It's attempted murder."
