“There was a snowstorm that day. We were trapped on the road and begged you for help. But just like Sam, you ignored us.
“I ended up stuck in the car all night. I was freezing, and by morning, the baby was gone.”
Her voice cracked as tears rolled down her face.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Leo asked, his voice rising with regret.
“What was the point?” Lily said with a bitter smile. “You only had eyes for Annie. There was no place for us in your world.”
“No, it wasn’t me. I was at the hospital that day. It couldn’t have been me,” Annie protested, looking at the Smith brothers with wide, innocent eyes.
But this time, they didn’t rush to defend her. Their faces showed hesitation and doubt.
“The hospital?” I wiped my tears and caught the slip in Annie’s words.
“How did you know I was kidnapped at the hospital? I never told anyone.”
Panic flashed across Annie’s face. Her eyes darted around as she scrambled for an answer.
“I… I heard it from someone else. What’s so strange about that?”
But the look in the Smith brothers‘ eyes had changed. They were no longer blind in their loyalty to her. Doubt had taken root.
I took a deep breath and looked at Sam. “This is it. We’ve had enough. Lily and I are done with you two. Let’s file for divorce today.”
“What? Divorce?” Sam and Leo said in unison, both stunned.
“Lily, don’t be rash. We can talk this through,” Leo said, reaching for Lily’s hand, trying to change her mind.
When she didn’t respond, they both turned to me.
“Talk?” I gave a weary smile and shook my head. “You already made your choice. Now it’s time for us to make ours.”
‘No, not now. It’s late. We’ll deal with this tomorrow,” Leo said, glancing at his watch and using work as an excuse. “I still have a case to finish. I need to go now.”
“Stop right there!” I snapped, my voice sharp and unwavering. “You mean the case that’s tied to my kidnapping? The one with a suspect named Jack Dunn?”
Leo froze, clearly shocked that I knew so much.
1/2
Chapter 4
+25 Bonus
“How… How do you know that?” he stammered.
I let out a cold laugh. “Because he’s the one who kidnapped me.
“If you won’t agree to divorce, fine. But Lily and I are leaving. From now on, we live separate lives. Don’t look for us again.”
Sam looked at me, his expression unreadable. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words came out.
“Lucy, are you acting again?” he sighed, frustration and exhaustion in his voice. “Do you think this is funny? Because every time you pull something like this, it just wears us out.”
“Acting?” I stared at him, completely stunned. “You think I’m acting? Sam, ask yourself. Does this really look like an act to you?”
“Enough!” Sam suddenly shouted, cutting me off.
“You’ve let me down, Lucy. I really thought you were a sensible woman. But clearly, I was wrong!
“Are you trying to punish me because I was distant before? Is that why you’re asking for a divorce?
“Well, let me tell you something. If you go through with this, don’t expect a single cent from me!
“And did you ever realize that ever since you married me, nothing good has happened in this house? Ever since you walked through that door, everything’s gone downhill. You’re a curse! Nothing but bad luck!”
His words pierced me deeper than any knife.
I stared at him, my tears already dried up, my heart hollow with despair.
“Sam, how can you say that to me? Is that really what you think of me? That I’m jus anymore. From this moment on, we’re strangers!”
I clenched my jaw, fighting hard not to let another tear fall.
some awful, cursed woman? If that’s how you see me, then fine. I won’t argue
