Chapter 5: The Person Pulling the Strings
Marcus stood in the doorway.
For the first time since I met him, I saw uncertainty on his face.
Not anger.
Not disbelief.
Fear.
“Whose orders?”” he repeated.
Isabella looked at him.
Her lips parted.
But she didn’t answer.
That silence said more than words ever could.
The nurse shifted uncomfortably.
“Mr. Bennett, should I tell your mother you’re not available?””
Marcus looked toward the hallway.
Then back at Isabella.
“No.””
His voice was calm.
“Let her come in.””
My heart tightened.
“Marcus…”
He looked at me immediately.
“I’m not leaving you alone.””
Those words should have comforted me.
But they didn’t erase everything.
Because for months, I had been alone.
Alone when his mother criticized my pregnancy.
Alone when Isabella planted doubts.
Alone when I tried to convince myself that I was imagining things.
A few minutes later, the door opened.
Elaine Bennett walked inside.
She looked exactly as she always did.
Elegant.
Controlled.
Perfect.
Her silver hair was styled flawlessly. Her expensive coat hung over her shoulders like armor.
But today, there was something different.
She knew.
She knew the truth had started coming out.
“Marcus,” she said softly.
He didn’t move.
“Mom.””
Her eyes moved around the room.
The camera.
The officer.
The frozen expression on Isabella’s face.
Then she looked at me.
For a brief second, her confidence disappeared.
“You saw it.””
Marcus’s jaw tightened.
“Yes.””
Elaine sighed.
“I can explain.””
I almost couldn’t believe it.
The same words.
Again.
Marcus stepped forward.
“Everyone says that after they get caught.””
Elaine looked hurt.
“You think I wanted this?””
“I think you knew.””
Silence.
Then Elaine looked at Isabella.
A small movement.
Almost invisible.
But Marcus noticed.
“You two planned this.””
Elaine shook her head.
“No.””
“Then why were you in this room?””
She didn’t answer.
Marcus’s voice became louder.
“Why was she threatening my wife?””
Elaine looked at me.
“She was never supposed to hurt you.””
The words made my stomach drop.
Never supposed to?
That meant there had been a plan.
Marcus heard it too.
“What does that mean?””
Elaine looked away.
And for the first time, the powerful woman who controlled every family gathering looked old.
Tired.
Defeated.
“She was supposed to convince you.””
“Convince me of what?””
Elaine took a breath.
“That Khloe was hiding something.””
I stared at her.
“What?””
Elaine avoided my eyes.
“Someone contacted me months ago.””
Marcus frowned.
“Who?””
“I don’t know.””
The officer stepped forward.
“You don’t know who you were communicating with?””
Elaine looked uncomfortable.
“They used a private number.””
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“So you trusted a stranger enough to destroy my marriage?””
Elaine’s face hardened.
“I was protecting you.””
“From my wife?””
“From a mistake.””
The room became silent.
I felt a sharp pain in my chest.
A mistake.
That was what she called my baby.
Marcus looked at his mother.
“Say that again.””
Elaine realized what she had said.
Her expression changed.
“Marcus, that’s not what I meant.””
“No. It is.””
He pointed toward me.
“She is my wife.””
Then toward my stomach.
“That is my child.””
His voice broke slightly.
“And you called them a mistake.””
Elaine looked away.
Nobody spoke.
Then Isabella suddenly whispered:
“She knows who it is.””
Everyone turned.
Elaine’s face changed.
“Isabella.””
But it was too late.
Marcus stepped toward her.
“Who?””
Isabella looked terrified.
“You don’t understand.””
“Who contacted my mother?””
She looked at Elaine.
Then at me.
Then she finally said:
“Someone from your past.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
Marcus frowned.
“My past?””
Isabella nodded.
“Someone who believes they should have your life.””
Nobody moved.
The officer asked:
“Do you have a name?””
Isabella opened her mouth.
Then the hospital room phone rang.
Everyone jumped.
The sound was sharp.
Unexpected.
The officer answered.
“Hello?””
His expression changed.
He looked at Marcus.
“Someone wants to speak with you.””
Marcus took the phone.
“Who is this?””
For several seconds, there was only silence.
Then a voice came through the speaker.
A voice I didn’t recognize.
But Marcus did.
His face went completely still.
“No…”
I looked at him.
“Marcus?””
He slowly lowered the phone.
May you like
And whispered:
“It’s impossible.””
