CHAPTER 2 — The Courthouse
Three weeks later...
Richard invited Khloe to the Montgomery County Courthouse.
"We'll file an uncontested separation."
"No fighting."
"No lawyers."
"It's easier on the baby."
Khloe already knew it was a lie.
She agreed anyway.
Because Harrison had instructed her to.
Hidden cameras surrounded the courthouse.
Private investigators blended into the crowd.
Two deputy marshals waited nearby.
Every entrance was under surveillance.
Harrison expected financial fraud.
He expected forged signatures.
He expected intimidation.
He did not expect violence.
Vanessa arrived twenty minutes early wearing designer heels and oversized sunglasses.
She cornered Khloe near the courthouse entrance.
"You still don't understand."
Richard loves me."
Khloe answered quietly.
"I don't want him anymore."
Vanessa laughed.
"Then why haven't you disappeared?"
Khloe stepped back.
"I only came to sign the papers."
Vanessa moved closer.
"You've ruined enough."
Khloe instinctively covered her stomach.
"Please."
"I'm eight months pregnant."
Several witnesses later testified that Khloe never raised her voice.
She never touched Vanessa.
She only kept backing away.
Until there was nowhere left to go.
Vanessa shoved her with both hands.
Hard.
The scream echoed through the courthouse plaza.
Khloe's body struck the first marble step.
Then another.
Then another.
People froze.
Someone shouted for an ambulance.
Richard simply stood there.
Unable...
Or unwilling...
To move.
By the time Harrison reached the staircase, blood was already pooling beneath his sister.
His tailored suit became soaked crimson as he gathered her into his arms.
"Khloe."
"Stay with me."
Her lips barely moved.
"The baby..."
Then she lost consciousness.
Vanessa whispered,
"I..."
"I didn't mean..."
Harrison slowly stood.
Blood covered both of his hands.
He looked directly at her.
"You've already said your last lie."
Police officers surrounded Vanessa.
She wasn't resisting.
May you like
She couldn't.
Because the expression on Harrison Cole's face frightened her far more than handcuffs ever could.
