THE GREAT BETRAYAL Read Online Free Page A

fell briefly, taking in her belly. He seemed to hesitate. “Would you ladies come with me, please?” He motioned toward a hallway. “Right this way.”
    They were led into a small room behind the triage area. He closed the door behind them.
    “ I’m so very sorry to tell you this…but I don’t have good news.” He paused, his eyes sad. “Unfortunately, Mr. Phillips has died. It appe—“
    Ingrid screamed. “ No!” And collapsed on the spot.
    Beth grabbed her as her own knees buckled.
    The blood drained from Leslie’s face.
    “ D-died?” she managed. “ Died ? What do you mean ‘Mr. Phillips has died ’ ? H-how could he… Dead ?” Suddenly she couldn’t breathe. Her voice became hysterical. “No, no, no! You’re making a terrible mistake! He was just talking to me in the car! He can’t be—”
    “ I’m so very sorry,” Dr. Benedict interjected, his voice full of compassion. Touching Leslie’s shoulder, he gently guided her toward a chair. “Perhaps you should have a seat, Mrs. Phillips.”
    His voice droned on, explaining something about the occipital lobe and an acute subdural hematoma. He could scarcely be heard over the gut-wrenching wails of Beth and Ingrid, who had collapsed to the floor, bawling, clutching each other, devastated. They were inconsolable.
    Shocked into silence, Leslie slumped into the chair, the girth of her belly preventing a fall to the floor. She stared up at the doctor, horrified.
    Her brain turned to mush.
     
     

Chapter 5
     
    Jeffrey Phillips was laid to rest at Serenity Gardens Cemetery, just west of the beautiful beaches of Pier 60. He had so loved Florida. Ingrid decided against taking him back to Memphis.
    All of his college comrades attended the funeral. Family and friends had flown in from Memphis, every one of them unable to believe this had happened. His mother gave the eulogy with Beth by her side. Together they released half a dozen white doves in celebration and honor of his precious memory.
    Leslie Phillips—prostrate with grief and in a palpable state of disbelief—merely sat staring at her young husband’s casket. She was lost. In a trance.
    She hadn’t spoken since they’d all left the hospital—without Jeffrey—nearly a week before.
     
    • 
     
    “ Doesn’t she have any family? Any at all?” asked Beth, joining her mother in the kitchen. “Is there no one we can call?”
    It was the day after the funeral, and a few neighbors had come by, offering warm food and heartbreaking condolences.
    Beth had just given Leslie a bath and propped her up in bed.
    “You know, it’s just the darnedest thing, but I can’t recall her ever making mention of any family. And I don’t think Jeff ever said anything about them either.” Ingrid paused, drying a dinner plate. “I just assumed we’d meet them sooner or later. But now…”
    “Well, I’m really worried about her and the baby. I know the hospital told us to monitor her blood pressure and make sure that she eats, but…” She sighed. “Why won’t she talk, Mom? It’s been a week.”
    Ingrid turned to her daughter, fresh tears in her eyes. “She’s in shock, dear. We’re all in shock.” The plate slipped from her grasp, shattering against the sink’s faucet.
    “Oh, Mom!” Beth burst into tears and ran to her mother.
    They clung to each other.
    “I cannot believe this,” Ingrid sobbed. Her tears soaked Beth’s cotton blouse. “I just can’t believe it. How in the hell could this have happened out of left field like this? Twenty-six years old! How can my son be gone?” Pulling back, she locked eyes with her daughter. “Dear God, Beth. Is it punishment? Am I being punished after all these years? Is this my punishment for Humphrey?”
    Unsure of what to say, Beth simply drew her mother into another embrace, reassuring her. They cried together until the kitchen grew dark as the sun made its crawl into the west.
    Finally Beth rose and reached for napkins to dry their faces.
    “