Chapter 7
He didn’t give his mother a chance to respond, hanging up immediately.
Walking to the refrigerator, he pulled out the vodka and downed it in one go.
Collapsing on the floor, as the alcohol took effect, memories of the past five years flooded his mind.
When he first met me, I was at the police station reporting my parents‘ murder, crying uncontrollably. He knew I was his brother’s fiancée and knew Erin was the only suspect. He also knew she was his brother’s true love and his own unspoken affection.
He chose to approach me, publicly proposing at my parents‘ funeral.
At that time, I had just learned about his brother’s wedding to Erin. My thin body looked so helpless in
the cold wind.
He had felt sympathy, wondering if his actions were hurting an innocent person. But when Erin came to him in the rain, that spark of compassion shattered. He chose deception, chose to aid evil, and chose to violate his principles.
He secretly took the Blake case files then held a simple wedding with me.
In five years of marriage, he thought he was just keeping me close to monitor me.
That his pretended love and affection were only to protect Erin. But he never realized that day and night companionship had seeped into his bones.
After struggling, he took out his phone and opened our chat. Beyond his perfunctory apologies, scrolling up revealed my care and concern for him.
“Working hard on the case? Remember to eat. I ordered your favorite cake. Have some when you’re hungry. I’ll wait for you at home.”
“Nathan, I don’t know what’s wrong lately. I’m always sleepy. Can you take time off to go to the hospital
with me?”
“I made your favorite sweet and sour ribs. I’ve reheated them three times. When are you coming home?”
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Every word stabbed at his remaining sanity.
I had trusted him so much, entrusting my parents‘ case to his investigation. But he chose betrayal and lles.
With trembling fingers, he pressed the keys, typing countless typos in his drunken state. He finally managed to send an apology message, but received only a red exclamation mark in return.
Nathan laughed bitterly–it seemed I wouldn’t even give him a chance to repent and apologize upon leaving.
In his breakdown, Erin called again, her voice choked with tears, full of self–pity.
“Brother, what did you tell Mom and Dad? They just called and yelled at me!”
“Is Sophie angry? I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned the case from five years ago. If she’s upset, I’ll kneel and apologize as soon as I’m discharged, okay?”
The same old routine, but this time Nathan wasn’t buying it.
“Enough! We both know the truth about that year. Erin, you talk about apologizing, but when have you ever acknowledged your wrong to Sophie in all these years?”
“I’ve just told Mom and Dad the truth. How they treat you is their business. Don’t blame Sophie! I’ve kept this secret for five years. You’ve had five years of happiness. Now it’s time for you to atone. I’m turning you in to the precinct. I hope you’ll confess. Don’t make things worse!”
Before Erin could react, he hung up then sent his colleague her hospital address.
But he never expected to receive a call from the precinct at dawn.
His colleague’s voice was grave and solemn.
“Nathan, something’s happened to Erin. You should come to the precinct yourself.”
He splashed cold water on his face several times before taking a taxi to the station.
In the interrogation room, Erin was bleeding from below with her luggage sat beside her.
When his colleague saw him arrive, he pulled Nathan outside.
“She was already running when we got there. We only caught her at the airport. She kept resisting, and the officers had no choice, but to use force. Then she…”
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Chapter 7
Looking through the glass, Nathan observed Erin’s pale face.
His voice devoid of emotion:
“The miscarriage is probably for the best. Otherwise, she’d have to wait a year in prison. Sophie’s waited long enough.”
Seeing that he’d come to his senses, his colleague no longer held back, showing him Erin’s phone.
“Take a look. Mrs. Thompson’s departure likely had something to do with her.”
On the screen were Erin’s private posts–dinner with Nathan, staying with him in the hospital room, even the scene of him feeding her porridge was crystal clear.
My lone “like” appeared below each post.
I had seen everything.
Tears falling onto the screen, regret crushed him so completely he could barely stand.
Erin’s purpose in posting was obvious. But he had only now seen through this woman’s true nature.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll bring the files shortly. Handle it according to procedure. I’ll explain to the captain.”
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