Chapter 2: The Secret Behind the Bruises
An ambulance arrived within minutes.
Doctors rushed Olivia to the hospital while Ethan carried Noah in his arms.
The baby finally stopped crying when he heard his father's heartbeat.
Hours later, Ethan sat beside Olivia's hospital bed.
Machines beeped softly around them.
A doctor entered with a serious expression.
"Your wife is going to survive."
Ethan released a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.
"But..." the doctor continued, "the injuries weren't accidental."
Ethan stared at him.
"What do you mean?"
The doctor hesitated.
"Multiple bruises. Signs of repeated physical trauma. Malnutrition. Exhaustion. This has been happening for weeks."
The room spun.
Olivia had told him she was fine every time they spoke.
Every phone call.
Every text message.
Every video chat.
She had smiled.
She had reassured him.
She had lied.
Not because she wanted to.
Because she was protecting someone.
When Olivia finally woke the next morning, tears filled her eyes as she saw Ethan beside her.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"For what?"
"For hiding it."
Ethan gently squeezed her hand.
"Hiding what?"
Her lips trembled.
Then the truth came out.
The landlord.
A man named Victor Grant.
After Ethan left for work, Victor began visiting the apartment.
At first it was threats.
Then intimidation.
Then violence.
He knew Ethan was gone.
He knew Olivia had nowhere else to go.
And he knew she was terrified of losing custody of Noah if she caused trouble.
So she endured it.
Alone.
Until her body finally gave out.
As Olivia spoke, Ethan felt something colder than anger settle inside him.
May you like
Determination.
Victor Grant would answer for everything.
