CHAPTER 2 — THE BABY ARRIVED TOO EARLY
Khloe was rushed into surgery at 11:42 p.m.
The impact had caused a partial placental separation.
Her daughter was losing oxygen.
Adrian stood beside the operating team, balancing his role as a physician with the terror of being Khloe’s uncle.
“Emergency delivery,” the surgeon said.
Khloe heard the words through a haze of pain and medication.
“No…”
“We need to deliver your baby now.”
“She’s too early.”
“She has a better chance outside than she does inside.”
Khloe turned her head toward the glass doors.
Marcus stood on the other side.
His hands were covered in blood from lifting her off the floor.
For the first time in their marriage, he looked completely powerless.
“I want my uncle,” Khloe whispered.
Adrian took her hand.
“I’m here.”
“And Marcus?”
“What do you want me to tell him?”
Khloe closed her eyes.
“Tell him nothing.”
Thirty-one minutes later, a tiny cry broke through the operating room.
The baby weighed less than four pounds.
She was immediately transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Khloe began hemorrhaging moments afterward.
Adrian watched the surgical team fight to stabilize her while Marcus waited outside without knowing whether he was about to lose his wife, his daughter, or both.
At 1:16 a.m., Adrian finally stepped into the hallway.
“The baby is alive,” he said.
Marcus nearly collapsed with relief.
“And Khloe?”
“She survived the surgery.”
Marcus covered his face.
“I need to see her.”
“She doesn’t want to see you.”
Marcus lowered his hands.
“What?”
“She specifically asked that you stay away.”
Richard stepped forward.
“This is not the time for marital drama.”
Adrian turned on him.
“No. This is the time to explain why your keycard was used to open that suite.”
Richard’s expression did not change.
“My administrative access cards are shared by security.”
“Not that one.”
“You are emotional.”
“My niece was nearly killed.”
“And my granddaughter was nearly killed,” Richard snapped.
The hallway fell silent.
Marcus looked at his father.
“Why was Isabella in that room?”
“I have no idea.”
Adrian studied him for several seconds.
Then a nurse approached carrying a sealed plastic evidence bag.
Inside was a small glass vial.
“We found this connected to Mrs. Thorne’s IV line,” she said.
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“What is it?”
“The label says magnesium sulfate.”
“But?”
The nurse swallowed.
“The medication inside is not magnesium sulfate.”
Marcus looked at the authorization sticker attached to the vial.
His own name was printed across the bottom.
May you like
AUTHORIZED BY: MARCUS THORNE
Richard stepped away before anyone noticed the satisfaction flickering briefly across his face.
