Chapter 6 - Eleanor's Miscalculation
By noon, the hospital allowed me to walk around the ward to stretch my legs.
I left Leo safely in the nursery under the watchful eyes of the nursing staff.
As I rounded the corner near the cafeteria, I spotted Eleanor standing by the vending machines.
She was on her cell phone, speaking in hushed, urgent tones.
I pressed my back against the wall, holding my breath to listen.
“No, Marcus, you idiot, you can't force her to sign papers while she's medicated, it won't hold up in court!” she hissed.
There was a pause as she listened to whatever excuse he was giving.
“Chloe is demanding the rest of the money, and if she goes public, the judge will hand your wife everything,” Eleanor argued.
My heart hammered in my chest.
Eleanor knew about the mistress.
She knew about the stolen money, and she had helped him cover it up.
“Just stick to the plan, we paint her as an unfit, hysterical mother, and we take the child,” Eleanor commanded coldly.
I had heard enough.
I stepped out from behind the corner, folding my arms across my chest.
“Hello, Eleanor,” I said loudly.
She nearly dropped her phone, her perfectly powdered face going completely pale.
“You should know that Illinois is a two-party consent state for recording, but hospitals have security cameras everywhere,” I bluffed smoothly.
Eleanor quickly hung up the phone, trying to recover her aristocratic composure.
“I don't know what you think you heard, but you are delusional,” she stammered.
I stepped closer to her, invading her personal space until she backed into the glass of the vending machine.
“Tell Marcus that I know about Chloe, and I know about the condo,” I whispered fiercely.
May you like
Eleanor’s eyes darted nervously around the hallway.
“See you in court, grandma,” I said, turning on my heel and leaving her trembling in the corridor.
