Chapter 4 - The Serpent’s Last Coils
Three weeks passed.
The news of the Rossi scandal exploded across global media like a megaton warhead.
HEIRESS ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER OF BILLIONAIRE’S PREGNANT WIFE. ROSSI SHIPPING FILES FOR CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY AMIDST MASSIVE FRAUD AND FELONY INDICTMENTS.
The high-society circles that had once mocked Khloe Thorne for her quiet, non-traditional background were now trembling. The video footage—leaked to the press by an anonymous source after Julian Rossi tried to bribe a judge—had horrified the public. Isabella Rossi became the most hated woman in the country overnight.
Inside the presidential penthouse suite of St. Jude’s Hospital, the mood was drastically different.
The room was filled with fresh white lilies, warm sunlight streaming through floor-to-ceiling bulletproof glass. Khloe sat up in a plush hospital bed, her color restored, her hair falling softly over her shoulders. She wore a silk robe, her hands gently resting on her now eight-month bump, which was visibly moving.
Marcus sat beside her on the edge of the bed, holding a silver spoon, carefully feeding her warm fruit soup.
“I can feed myself, Marcus,” Khloe laughed softly, her voice rich with affection. “The doctor said my bed rest permits me to move my arms.”
“I don't care what the doctor said,” Marcus grumbled playfully, pressing the spoon gently to her lips. “My job is to spoil you until you can't stand it anymore.”
Khloe took the bite, her heart warm. The past three weeks had transformed Marcus. The cold, distant billionaire who used to work sixteen hours a day had moved his entire corporate command center into the adjoining suite of the hospital. He didn't miss a single meal, a single doctor’s checkup, or a single fetal ultrasound.
The door to the suite opened quietly, and Uncle Harrison stepped in, holding a leather folder.
“How is my favorite niece doing today?” Harrison asked, smiling softly as he set a box of artisanal pastries on the table.
“Much better, Uncle Harrison,” Khloe said, leaning over to kiss his cheek as he approached. “The baby kicked three times this morning during the monitor check.”
“She’s already taking after her father—impatient and bossy,” Harrison teased, turning to Marcus. “We have an update regarding the legal proceedings.”
Marcus’s warm smile vanished instantly, replaced by a sharp, focused glare. “Did the judge deny Isabella’s third bail request?”
“Not only was bail denied,” Harrison said, opening the folder, “but Julian Rossi’s desperate attempt to hire a private mercenary firm to wipe our server backups was intercepted yesterday. Two of his operatives were arrested outside our off-site data center in Virginia.”
Khloe gasped softly. “He tried to destroy the video evidence?”
“He tried,” Harrison nodded coldly. “Which added federal obstruction of justice and conspiracy charges to the list. Julian Rossi was taken into federal custody two hours ago. The Rossi empire is officially dead, Khloe. There is nothing left of them.”
Khloe looked down at her hands, taking a slow breath. “I don't feel happy about their ruin, Marcus. I just… I just want them to realize that power doesn't give anyone the right to hurt people.”
Marcus took her hand, lifting it to his lips, kissing her soft palm. “They are learning that lesson in a steel cell, my love. Where they belong.”
Suddenly, the fetal monitor beside the bed began to chime a steady, rhythmic series of alerts.
Khloe winced slightly, her hand tightening around Marcus’s fingers. She gasped, her breath catching in her throat.
“Khloe?” Marcus stood up instantly, his panic flaring up. “What’s wrong? Is it pain? Harrison, get Dr. Aris!”
“Wait… wait…” Khloe squeezed her eyes shut as a sharp, intense contraction rippled across her abdomen. She looked up at Marcus, a mixture of shock and sheer awe shining in her eyes. “Marcus… my water just broke.”
Marcus froze, his mouth slightly open. “Your… your water? But you’re only eight months!”
Harrison immediately hit the emergency intercom button on the wall. “Trauma Team 1 to Penthouse Suite! The mother is in active labor!”
Within ten seconds, the quiet suite exploded into organized, high-speed medical activity. Nurses rushed in with delivery equipment; Dr. Aris ran through the door pulling on surgical gloves.
“Alright, Khloe!” Dr. Aris shouted above the noise, checking the telemetry screens. “The baby decided she’s done waiting! She’s healthy, her heart rate is strong, and she’s ready to meet her parents! Get her onto the delivery bed!”
Marcus held Khloe’s hand with everything he had, leaning down until his forehead touched hers amid the madness of the room.
May you like
“You ready for this, partner?” Marcus whispered, his eyes shining with pure love.
Khloe squeezed his hand, tears of joy spilling over her eyelashes as another contraction hit. “With you? Always.”
