The Price Of Broken Vows

Chapter Five

My phone rang. David.

"How is he?" David asked.

"Sleeping. Natalie came by."

"I heard. She called me, ranting about you manipulating him."

"David, I don't know what to do."

"Keep doing what you're doing," he said firmly. "Sophie, I need to tell you something. I had my investigator look into the accident."

"And?"

"Marcus's brake lines were cut. Not completely, just enough to fail at high speed. This wasn't an accident. Someone tried to kill my brother."

I sank into a chair. "Who would…"

"I have my suspicions," David said grimly. "Natalie was the last person to see him before he left that morning. The security footage from the garage shows her near his car."

"But why would she try to kill him?"

"Maybe she didn't mean to. Maybe she just wanted to hurt him enough that he'd need her. Or maybe..." He paused. "Sophie, I've been looking into Natalie's finances. She's broke. Completely broke. And there's a life insurance policy Marcus took out when they were dating in college. He never cancelled it. She's still the beneficiary for fifty million dollars."

"Oh my God."

"I'm handling it," David assured me. "I've given everything to the police. But Sophie, be careful. If Natalie tried to kill Marcus once..."

"She might try again," I finished.

After we hung up, I double-checked all the locks, then returned to the bedroom. Marcus had shifted in his sleep, his hand reaching for where I should be.

I climbed into bed beside him, and he immediately pulled me close, his hand protective over my belly.

"Sophie?" he mumbled, half-asleep.

"I'm here."

"Don't leave me."

"Never," I lied, knowing that when his memory returned, he'd be the one leaving.

But for now, in the darkness of our bedroom, I could pretend. Pretend we were still happy. Pretend he still loved me. Pretend our baby would grow up with both parents.

The next morning would bring new challenges. Natalie wouldn't give up easily. The truth about the divorce was a ticking time bomb. And someone had tried to kill my husband, even if he wasn't really my husband anymore.

But tonight, I held him close and felt our baby move between us, and for just a moment, let myself believe in the lie we were living.

The next two days passed in surreal routine. Marcus grew stronger physically, but his memory remained frozen in a happier time. Every morning he'd wake with a smile, reaching for me, talking about nursery plans and baby names.

"I think Alexander if it's a boy," he said, playing with my hair as I sat beside his bed. "After your grandfather."

I couldn't tell him my grandfather had died two months ago, during our separation. Another casualty of his lost memories.

"And Isabella for a girl?" I suggested, remembering a conversation from better times.

"Perfect. I can't wait to know the gender of the baby. I'm booking you for an ultrasound immediately" His laugh was warm, genuine, the laugh I'd fallen in love with years ago.

Marcus and I were at the hospital for his check-up when David's call came in.

“Sophie, are you home?” Marcus sounded terrified over the phone

“I'm at the hospital with Marcus, is there any…”

“I'll be there shortly”

In the hallway, David's expression was grim. "We have a problem. Several, actually."

"What now?"

"First, Natalie's been busy. Every major gossip site is about to run a story about you faking a pregnancy to trap Marcus. She's got doctored medical records, paid testimonies, the works. It goes live in an hour."

"She's destroying me."

"That's not the worst part." David showed me his phone. "This was taken this morning."

The photo showed Natalie entering a building I recognized, the one housing my actual doctor's office.

"There was a break-in last night. All your medical records are gone."

"Without those records…"

"You can't prove the pregnancy is real. I know." David ran a hand through his hair. "But I found something. St. Mary's Fertility Clinic has backup files from your initial consultation six weeks ago. They're secured in their system, unhackable."

Hope flared in my chest. "That's proof!"

"If we can get to them before Natalie does." He paused. "There's something else. The merger meeting tomorrow, the board flew in from Tokyo. It can't be postponed."

"But Marcus can't…"

"Exactly. If he doesn't appear, they might pull out. Your father's company needs this deal, doesn't it?"

I nodded, feeling trapped from all sides.

“Sophie, I'm done with the session with the doctor. My report says I'm fine, but I need a little more rest.” Marcus called out.

We got home and the next thing, Marcus was dressing up.

"Marcus, what are you doing?" I gasped.

"The merger meeting. I can't miss it." He stood carefully, determined. "Chen Industries and Reed Manufacturing are counting on this deal."

"You need rest"

"I need to secure our children's future," he said firmly. "This merger will ensure both companies thrive for generations."

There was no arguing with him. An hour later, we sat in the Chen Industries boardroom, Marcus at the head of the table looking every inch the powerful CEO.

"Mr. Chen," the lead board member from Tokyo began, "we have concerns about leadership stability given recent... personal upheavals."

Marcus's hand found mine under the table. "I understand your concerns, Mr. Yamamoto. But as you can see, my wife and I are united in this venture. Our expanding family only strengthens our commitment to long-term success."

The board members exchanged glances. Everyone knew about the divorce proceedings, yet here sat Marcus, claiming marital unity.

I stood to present the merger proposal, drawing on every ounce of professional composure. For forty minutes, I outlined integration strategies, market projections, and synergy opportunities. Marcus supported every point seamlessly, our old rhythm returning naturally.

"Impressive," Mr. Yamamoto finally said. "The merger is approved, contingent on continued stable leadership."

As the board filed out, Marcus pulled me close. "We did it, Sophie. Just like old times."

"Marcus," I started, but he suddenly gripped the table, his face paling.

"Something's wrong," he gasped. "My head"

David and I caught him as he collapsed. Through the chaos of calling for help, I heard Marcus mumbling, "Remember... starting to remember... Natalie... the divorce..."

"Don't force it," I begged. "Please, Marcus."

But his eyes were already changing, confusion replacing warmth. "Sophie? What... why are you here? Where's Natalie?"