Chapter 2 - The Husband Who Did Not Follow
Mercy Regional Hospital received Khloe as a trauma patient.
Harrison remained beside the emergency room doors until a nurse forced him to stop.
"You can't come farther."
"She's thirty-two weeks pregnant."
"I know."
"She has a history of—"
"Mr. Cole."
The nurse recognized him.
Everyone in the county recognized Harrison Cole.
But she did not sound impressed.
"Let us help your sister."
Harrison stopped.
The doors swung shut.
For the next eighteen minutes, one of Pennsylvania's most feared trial attorneys stood completely helpless beneath fluorescent lights.
Then Richard arrived.
Harrison heard his shoes before he saw him.
Richard stepped into the waiting area wearing the same charcoal suit he had worn at the courthouse.
There was no blood on him.
That fact bothered Harrison more than it should have.
If Richard had knelt beside Khloe even once, there should have been blood somewhere.
On his knees.
On his cuffs.
On his hands.
Anywhere.
There was nothing.
"Harrison."
Harrison did not answer.
Richard came closer.
"How is she?"
"You tell me."
Richard frowned.
"What does that mean?"
"You were there."
"I know."
"You watched your eight-month-pregnant wife fall down thirty steps."
Richard rubbed his forehead.
"Everything happened fast."
"Not that fast."
"I was in shock."
Harrison finally looked at him.
"I've seen shock."
Richard's jaw tightened.
"I love Khloe."
"Then why didn't you touch her?"
"I told you."
"You froze."
"Yes."
Harrison nodded.
"Interesting."
Richard stared at him.
"Why are you interrogating me?"
"Because my sister is behind those doors."
"And the woman you've been sleeping with pushed her there."
Richard's face changed.
"We don't know that."
"I watched it happen."
"It may have been accidental."
Harrison stepped closer.
"She put both hands on Khloe's chest."
"Harrison."
"And pushed."
"Stop."
"Then she stood over her."
"Stop."
"You stood beside Vanessa."
Richard looked around the hallway.
Several people were watching.
His voice lowered.
"This isn't a courtroom."
"No."
Harrison's expression remained calm.
"In a courtroom, you'd have rights."
Richard went pale.
Before he could answer, the emergency doors opened.
A doctor approached them.
"Family of Khloe Harrington?"
Harrison moved first.
"I'm her brother."
"I'm her husband."
The doctor looked between them.
"I'm Dr. Maya Patel."
"Mrs. Harrington suffered a fractured wrist, two cracked ribs, a concussion, and significant abdominal trauma."
Richard inhaled sharply.
Harrison asked the only question that mattered.
"The baby?"
Dr. Patel hesitated.
"We're seeing signs of placental abruption."
Harrison felt the floor disappear beneath him.
"What does that mean?"
"We're taking her into emergency surgery."
Richard stared at the doctor.
"A C-section?"
"Immediately."
"Is the baby going to survive?"
"We're going to do everything we can."
Harrison reached for the wall.
The doctor continued.
"Your sister lost a significant amount of blood."
"We need consent."
Richard immediately stepped forward.
"I'm her husband."
Harrison looked at him.
Something in Richard's eagerness made him cold.
The doctor handed him a tablet.
Before Richard could sign, the doors opened again.
A weak voice came from behind them.
"No."
Everyone turned.
Khloe lay on a moving hospital bed.
Her eyes were half-open.
One hand trembled above the blanket.
"No Richard."
The doctor leaned down.
"Mrs. Harrington?"
Khloe struggled to speak.
"My medical power of attorney."
Her eyes found Harrison.
"Harry."
Richard froze.
Harrison did not.
He stepped beside his sister.
"I'm here."
May you like
Khloe whispered the words that changed the entire night.
"Don't let Richard decide anything."
