Chapter 4 — The Woman Who Lied
By sunrise, the video had reached detectives.
Then prosecutors.
Then Marcus.
He watched it once.
Then again.
The version Isabella had described no longer existed.
The truth was undeniable.
She had advanced.
Khloe had retreated.
Khloe never struck her.
Never threatened her.
Never fought back.
Marcus sat alone in the conference room.
His phone vibrated.
Isabella.
Again.
Again.
Again.
He answered.
"Marcus..."
"I was scared."
"You know I would never—"
"Stop."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"The police have the video."
Silence.
"What?"
"I watched everything."
Another silence.
Then the line disconnected.
Detective Olivia Grant arrived with an arrest warrant before noon.
Isabella attempted to leave through the underground parking garage.
She never made it.
Two detectives stopped her beside her sports car.
"Isabella Rossi?"
"Yes?"
"You're under arrest."
She laughed.
"This is ridiculous."
"My lawyer—"
"You can call your lawyer."
"As soon as we're finished reading your rights."
For the first time...
Her confidence cracked.
That afternoon...
Marcus walked into Khloe's hospital room.
She was awake.
Weak.
Exhausted.
But alive.
He stood beside her bed for several seconds before speaking.
"I saw the video."
Khloe looked away.
"I know."
"I'm sorry."
She frowned.
"For what?"
"For not seeing what was happening before tonight."
Tears gathered in her eyes.
Marcus gently took her hand.
"I can't change yesterday."
"But I'll spend the rest of my life earning another chance."
Khloe didn't answer immediately.
She simply squeezed his hand.
Sometimes forgiveness wasn't a promise.
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Sometimes...
It was only the first step.
