part 5
PART 5
Dominic tried to enter Audrey’s room after the first bank alert.
The door would not open.
He pressed the handle twice.
Then harder.
A nurse appeared at the hallway desk.
“Mr. Hale, you are not on the approved visitor list.”
Dominic turned sharply.
“I am her husband.”
Doctor Reed stepped into the hallway.
“Not for medical access unless the patient approves.”
Dominic looked through the glass.
Audrey lay in the bed, pale and bandaged, holding the phone like a weapon.
He mouthed her name.
She did not answer.
Sophia’s voice remained on speaker.
“The divorce is filed.”
“The emergency preservation order is pending.”
“Every personal and corporate asset connected to your trust is frozen.”
Audrey whispered, “And the estate?”
“Locked.”
“Victoria?”
“Removed from access.”
Audrey watched Dominic read another message.
His mouth opened.
“What do you mean none of it belongs to me?”
Paige crossed her arms.
“Dominic, what is happening?”
He ignored her.
That told Paige more than any confession could.
Victoria arrived fifteen minutes later, still wearing the same gray suit from the estate.
Her eyes were red.
Not from guilt.
From fear.
She rushed to Dominic.
“Tell me this is temporary.”
Dominic grabbed her arm.
“What did the cameras catch?”
Victoria froze.
Audrey saw it.
So did Doctor Reed.
So did the nurse.
So did the hospital security camera.
Victoria whispered, “There were cameras?”
Dominic shut his eyes.
That was when Paige stepped backward.
“You told me she fell.”
Victoria turned on her.
“She did fall.”
Audrey pressed the call button.
The nurse came in.
Audrey spoke clearly.
“I want hospital security to document that Victoria Hale is not permitted near me.”
Victoria slapped her palm against the glass.
“You wicked girl.”
Audrey looked at her through the partition.
“You pushed me down the stairs.”
Victoria’s face twisted.
“I was protecting my son.”
Audrey’s voice broke only once.
“You killed his child.”
The hallway went silent.
Dominic stared at his mother.
Paige covered her mouth.
Doctor Reed looked away, jaw tight.
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For the first time, Victoria had no answer.
Read the full story 👉 Victoria learned the staircase cameras had captured her shove, and Audrey named what the family tried to hide.
