Chapter 10
The story leaked that afternoon.
Not all of it.
Enough.
Billionaire’s pregnant wife shoved by mistress at St. Jude’s.
Hospital director intervenes.
Medical power document under review.
By evening, Halloway Capital’s stock partners were calling.
By night, Bennett’s board wanted distance.
That was when Margot turned.
She called Nora from a lawyer’s office and asked for protection.
I laughed when Nora told me.
Then I cried.
Then I laughed again.
Pregnancy and betrayal made strange roommates.
Margot agreed to give a statement.
Not because she was sorry.
Because Bennett had stopped answering her calls.
She sat in a conference room down the hall, face pale without her usual gloss.
I watched through a secure feed.
Nora asked, “Did Bennett instruct you to provoke Tessa?”
Margot looked down.
“Yes.”
My stomach tightened.
“He said if she acted unstable in public, it would help later.”
“Later meaning custody?”
“And control of the baby’s trust.”
“What trust?”
Margot’s lips trembled.
“Mercer Medical. Bennett said the child could inherit if Tessa was declared unfit.”
I gripped the blanket.
My uncle whispered, “God help him.”
Nora continued.
“Did you know Diane Halloway discussed Tessa becoming widowed?”
Margot started crying.
“I thought it was just talk.”
“Did Bennett?”
Margot wiped her face.
“He said hospitals are full of accidents.”
The room spun.
Clara checked my blood pressure twice.
Too high.
Dr. Patel came in and ordered rest.
I wanted to keep fighting.
My body disagreed.
That night, contractions started.
Small at first.
Then stronger.
Too early.
Fear hit me so hard I couldn’t speak.
My uncle ran beside the bed as nurses moved me.
“Tessa, listen to me. She’s okay. We’re watching her.”
I grabbed his sleeve.
“Don’t let Bennett in.”
“He will not get near you.”
The pain rose again.
I cried out.
Not from weakness.
From life forcing its way through terror.
At 3:12 a.m., my daughter was born.
Tiny.
Furious.
May you like
Breathing.
I named her Evelyn, after my mother.
