Chapter 2 - The Truth
I froze in the doorway, staring down the barrel of the gun held by my ex-wife.
Mara looked exhausted, her beautiful face pale and framed by sweat-dampened dark hair.
Her hands were shaking violently, but her finger was resting firmly on the trigger.
"Close the door and lock it," Mara commanded, her voice cracking with raw panic.
I did exactly as she asked, turning the deadbolt before raising my hands to show I was unarmed.
"Mara, please put the gun down," I pleaded gently.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she glared at me with a mixture of hatred and absolute terror.
"You let them throw me out on the street," she sobbed, her grip tightening on the weapon.
"I thought you betrayed the family," I explained desperately.
"I saw the bank transfers with your signature, the emails you sent to the feds, the proof was undeniable."
Mara let out a bitter, broken laugh that chilled me to the bone.
"Your mother forged all of it," she hissed.
"She found out I was pregnant and told me that if I didn't disappear, I would have a fatal accident."
The words hit me like a physical blow, shattering everything I thought I knew about the last seven months.
My mother had orchestrated the entire divorce to steal my children and eliminate the woman I loved.
"I am so incredibly sorry," I whispered, taking a slow step toward her bed.
Mara finally lowered the gun, burying her face in her hands as she began to weep uncontrollably.
I rushed forward and wrapped my arms around her, feeling her fragile body tremble against my chest.
For a moment, I just held her, silently swearing to tear my own empire apart to keep her safe.
Then, the door handle rattled aggressively from the outside.
Heavy boots stomped in the hallway, followed by the sound of muffled shouting.
Nurse June burst into the room through the adjoining bathroom door, her face completely drained of color.
"We have to leave right now," June gasped, clutching a medical bag to her chest.
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"Your mother didn't leave the hospital, Grant."
"She just bought off the police, locked down the building, and sent a hit squad up the freight elevator."
