Chapter 2: His Mother Asked One Question
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
Eleanor looked at my cheek again.
Then she gently took my hand.
"Natalie, sweetheart, look at me. Are you hurt anywhere else?""
I shook my head.
"My stomach tightened when I fell against the railing, but the baby is moving.""
Her expression changed immediately.
"Then we're getting you checked by a doctor.""
Marcus stepped forward.
"Mom, there's no need to make this dramatic.""
Eleanor slowly turned.
"Did I ask you?""
He stopped.
Vivian approached with her most polished smile.
"Eleanor, I'm glad you're here. There has been a misunderstanding.""
Eleanor looked at her.
"Who are you?""
Vivian blinked.
"Vivian Cross. Marcus has told you about me.""
"I've heard your name.""
"Wonderful. I was hoping we could finally—"
"Did you strike my daughter-in-law?""
The question landed like a stone.
Vivian's smile disappeared.
Marcus moved between them.
"Mom, Natalie provoked her. You weren't here, so you don't understand.""
Eleanor stared at him.
"I understand that my pregnant daughter-in-law has a handprint on her face, and you're standing beside the woman responsible.""
"It wasn't like that.""
"Then explain what it was like.""
Marcus glanced around the lobby.
"Can we please discuss this privately?""
"No.""
His face tightened.
"Mom.""
"You summoned me to this hotel under the pretense of discussing family business. I arrived to find your wife injured. You can explain yourself right here.""
Vivian crossed her arms.
"With all due respect, Eleanor, this is between Marcus and me.""
Eleanor turned toward her.
"You are standing in the middle of my family's business, beside my married son, while his pregnant wife is crying. You have already made it my business.""
I almost cried again.
For weeks, I had felt like I was losing my mind.
I had questioned my instincts.
I had wondered whether pregnancy hormones were making me suspicious.
I had even apologized to Marcus for asking too many questions.
But now someone else was seeing what I had been seeing.
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
"Mom, Vivian and I are together. Natalie and I are getting divorced. That's the situation.""
Eleanor didn't move.
"You're divorcing your wife?""
"Yes.""
"While she's carrying your child?""
"That doesn't change how I feel.""
Eleanor looked at him for several seconds.
Then she asked something I hadn't expected.
"Does your father know?""
Marcus's expression shifted.
"My father has nothing to do with this.""
"Your father has everything to do with the family trust.""
Vivian suddenly became interested in the leather folder Eleanor was holding.
Marcus noticed.
"Mom, we can discuss the trust later.""
"No. We will discuss it now.""
He looked frustrated.
"Not in front of Natalie.""
Eleanor's eyes narrowed.
"Why not? She's your wife.""
"Not for much longer.""
Eleanor took a slow breath.
"That is a legal matter. What happened to her is a family matter.""
A hotel security manager approached cautiously.
"Mrs. Hale, we've been informed there was an altercation. Would you like us to review the entrance cameras?""
"Yes," Eleanor answered immediately.
Marcus stepped forward.
"There's no reason for that.""
Eleanor looked at him.
"Why?""
"Because we all saw what happened.""
"Exactly. So the recording should be very helpful.""
Vivian's face lost some of its color.
I noticed.
So did Eleanor.
The security manager nodded and walked toward the reception desk.
Eleanor turned back to me.
"Do you remember whether you struck anything when you fell?""
"The railing. I caught myself with my left hand.""
"All right. We'll have a doctor examine you.""
Marcus gave an irritated laugh.
"You're treating her like she's been seriously injured.""
Eleanor's expression became frighteningly calm.
"She is seven months pregnant. You will not decide whether her pain deserves attention.""
He looked away.
A few minutes later, an employee brought a chair.
Eleanor helped me sit down, then placed her leather folder on the table beside me.
I noticed a gold embossed seal on its cover.
It was the emblem of Hale Holdings.
"What's that?"" I asked.
"Something I was supposed to discuss with you today.""
Marcus immediately stepped closer.
"Mom, don't.""
Eleanor didn't even look at him.
"Why shouldn't I?""
"Because this is not the right time.""
She opened the folder.
Inside were several documents, each arranged neatly with colored tabs.
I recognized my name on the first page.
NATALIE HALE.
My breathing stopped.
"What is this?""
Eleanor placed her hand over mine.
"Before I explain, I need you to understand something. I did not invite you here to discuss your marriage.""
Marcus went pale.
Vivian looked from the documents to Marcus.
"Marcus, what is she talking about?""
Eleanor turned a page.
"I invited Natalie because your grandfather's estate attorney finally completed the review of the family trust.""
Marcus swallowed.
"Mom, we discussed this.""
"No. You told me what you wanted me to believe.""
She removed a separate envelope.
My name was written across the front in Eleanor's handwriting.
I looked at her.
"Why is my name on that?""
"Because your grandfather-in-law left specific instructions concerning you and the child you're carrying.""
I stared at the envelope.
Marcus reached for it.
Eleanor closed the folder.
"Don't touch that.""
"Mom, give it to me.""
"Why? Are you worried about what's inside?""
His jaw tightened.
Vivian moved closer to him.
"Marcus, you told me the trust was already settled.""
Eleanor looked at her.
"Apparently, my son has told you quite a few things.""
She turned toward the security manager, who had returned with a tablet.
"Did you retrieve the footage?""
"Yes, ma'am. We have the recording.""
Marcus's face changed.
Eleanor held out her hand.
"Show me.""
The manager turned the screen toward her.
I watched her eyes move across the footage.
First, Vivian approaching me.
Then her hand rising.
Then the slap.
Then my body falling against the railing.
And finally, Marcus stepping between us.
Eleanor watched the recording twice.
When it ended, she placed the tablet on the table.
She looked directly at her son.
"Marcus, I have one question.""
He didn't answer.
"Why did you tell me Natalie attacked Vivian?""
My stomach dropped.
I turned toward him.
"What?""
Eleanor opened the folder again.
"Because that's the explanation I received before arriving.""
Marcus stared at his mother.
And suddenly, I understood.
May you like
He hadn't merely abandoned me.
He had already prepared a completely different story about what happened.
