Chapter 7 - The Hospital Room
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Marcus arrived at the obstetric intensive care unit only minutes later, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his ribs. The hallway up here was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos below. The soft, rhythmic hum of medical equipment and the gentle beeping of monitors replaced the glamour, the music, and the noise of the charity gala that was still technically happening downstairs.
Two large, imposing security officers stood like statues outside Khloe's room. They were acting under David Sterling's direct, non-negotiable orders. No one entered without clearance.
When Marcus stepped inside the dim room, he found Khloe awake.
She looked incredibly fragile, her skin pale and drained of all color, making the dark circles under her eyes stand out starkly. She was hooked up to several IVs, but her right hand instinctively, protectively rested over her slightly swollen stomach the exact moment she saw him walk through the door.
"How's the baby?" Marcus asked softly, pulling a heavy plastic chair close beside her bed and sitting down.
Khloe managed a faint, exhausted smile, though her eyes were filled with lingering terror.
"The heartbeat is strong right now," she whispered, her voice raspy. "The doctors say we just have to wait and monitor."
Marcus closed his eyes, bowing his head in profound relief before gently taking her free hand in both of his. It was so cold.
"I'm so sorry, Khloe," he murmured, pressing his lips to her knuckles. "I am so incredibly sorry."
She looked at him in genuine confusion. "For what? You didn't do this."
"I should have believed you," he continued, the guilt pouring out of him. "Every single time you told me Isabella crossed the line... I told myself she was just being overly ambitious. I thought you were overthinking it, that you were just sensitive because of the pregnancy. I left you exposed to her."
Khloe squeezed his hand weakly, her eyes softening with love and forgiveness.
"This isn't your fault, Marcus. You couldn't have known she was capable of this."
"No," he shook his head stubbornly, refusing to let himself off the hook. "It is my fault. I am your husband. My only job is to protect you, and I failed."
Silence settled heavily between them, broken only by the steady beep of the fetal heart monitor.
Finally, Khloe turned her head to look toward the dark window.
"There was something I couldn't tell you, Marcus," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Something I had to keep secret."
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Marcus remembered Dr. Caldwell's cryptic, terrifying words. He nodded slowly, bracing himself.
"I'm listening, Khloe. Tell me everything."
