Chapter 1 - THE DOOR OPENED
The first thing Marcus heard was Khloe scream.
Just one broken, breathless sound from behind the private hospital-room door.
Khloe was on the marble floor beside the bed, one arm wrapped around her seven-month pregnant belly. Her face was wet with tears. Her other hand was braced under her as if she had tried to crawl away.
Standing over her was Isabella.
One red heel was pressed against the side of Khloe's hospital gown.
"KHLOE!"
Isabella's face went white.
Marcus dropped the coffee tray in his hand. Cups burst open. Dark coffee spread between the tiles.
"Don't move. Don't move, baby. I'm here."
Khloe tried to breathe. "The baby..."
"I know. I know."
Isabella backed toward the table.
"Marcus, she fell. I swear. She slipped, and I was trying to help her up."
Marcus looked at Khloe.
Then at Isabella.
"Help her?"
Tears appeared instantly in Isabella's eyes.
"Yes. She was upset. She got dizzy. I reached for her."
Khloe shook her head.
Isabella rushed on. "She has been emotional all morning. Ask the nurse."
Marcus stood.
"Marcus, please listen to me."
"Don't touch me."
Isabella froze.
Isabella stared at it.
Khloe saw the change.
Marcus followed her eyes.
"What is that?"
Isabella whispered, "Nothing."
Marcus looked up.
Security camera.
"If it's nothing, why are you scared?"
Isabella opened her mouth.
A nurse stepped in, took one look at Khloe, and hit the emergency button.
As they lifted Khloe onto the bed, Marcus stayed beside her.
But Khloe grabbed his wrist.
"Marcus."
"What?"
"Don't let Isabella leave."
Across the room, Isabella was already moving toward the door.
And as Marcus stepped into her path, Khloe whispered the sentence that changed everything.
"She didn't come here to hurt me today."
Marcus looked back.
May you like
Khloe's eyes filled with terror.
"She came here to finish what she started last month."
