Chapter 12
It’s been a few days since the badly burnt body was recovered from the fire.
The doctor had said they would perform an autopsy and let us know when the results were out so we could determine if it’s Rose’s body.
I saw the necklace and she was the only one in the house but I was wishing and praying it wouldn’t be Rose’s body.
“That’s enough drink for one day,” Serena snapped and yanked the glass away from
- me.
I glared at her. After the house got burned we had to get a new place and Serena was only around because she had my child.
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“You are supposed to be seen not heard,” I snarled at her.
“I already told you, I had no intention of hurting Rose. It was just a 1”
Nathaniel interrupted her roughly.
“Say it’s a joke one more time, Serena, I dare you,” Nathaniel snapped, stumbling into the sitting room.
Nathaniel had been unraveling ever since they pulled the body from the fire.
He drank more alcohol than he’s ever consumed in years. The last time Nathaniel drank like this was after our parents died. He was just a kid then–ended up in rehab.
But this time, I didn’t even have the
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strength–or the right–to stop him.
How had I missed every sign right in front of me? Let Serena destroy her? I scoffed. Who was I to judge? I’d been just as cruel.
“I’m just saying that you guys need a clear mind now. Rose is gone and –”
“She’s not dead!” me and Nathaniel
screamed simultaneously.
Serena screamed and jumped causing the baby to wake up and start crying.
“Once everything is over, Serena, we’re getting a divorce. And shut that brat up!” I snapped at her.
Serena glared at me, “No, Gideon, we aren’t getting a divorce. You begged me to marry you! You knelt and crawled in front of my
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gate for days! You will not humiliate me like this.”
“You should have thought about that before you laid a finger on Rose,” Nathaniel snapped.
“Oh please, I’ve had enough of your fucking self–righteous bullshit!” Serena snapped, “You both are equally as guilty as I am. You both betrayed her. If you didn’t and hadn’t been cruel to her then maybe I would have been kind too. But guess what? I learned from the very best. Both of you and no one gets rid of me that easily!”
She grabbed Juliette and stormed upstairs. I felt like I’d been punched in the gut with her words.
“She’s right, you know,” I said to Nathaniel quietly.
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Nathaniel didn’t reply, instead he grabbed the bottle and took a full swing.
“Buddy, that’s enough now,” I said, trying to take the bottle away from him but he pushed
- me.
“What? You’re policing me now? Why didn’t you do it back then when I wanted to hit Rose, huh? Now, you’re telling me how to drink?!”
I got upset, “Don’t blame your shit on me! You’re the one who did what you did to her and we’re equally to blame for it.”
“Yeah? But at least I didn’t fake–marry her for four years,” Nathaniel shot back.
I lost it and swung my fist back, catching his jaw. I’ve been yearning to punch something
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or someone for days.
Nathaniel’s eyes were bloodshot as he lunged at me and punched my sides.
We were engaged in a tug of fists and kicks when the doorbell rang.
“Get your acts together boys!” Serena snapped coldly.
“You have no right to tell us what to do!” I glared at her.
Serena cackled wickedly, “I don’t need to tell you shit, you boys keep ruining things for yourselves without anyone’s guidance.”
“If my brother doesn’t divorce you, I’ll kill you, Nathaniel said coldly.
I left them in the sitting room as I went to
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open the door. The chief inspector was standing in front of the door.
“Come in,” I slurred.
He walked into the sitting room with me and I gestured around.
“Excuse the mess, officer,” I said.
He cleared his throat, “It’s fine.”
“So, any update on the kidnappers that abducted Rose?” Nathaniel asked him.
The man nodded, “Yes, I came to inform you that one of them was apprehended today. We’re still looking for the other three but we should have more information by tomorrow.”
I saw the look of terror that appeared on Serena’s face and I turned to her.
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Do you know anything about the idnapping, Serena?” I asked her.
She gulped and widened her eyes, “What? Of course not!”
I stared intently at her, anger blazing in my eyes, “I hope so, Serena. If not, I’ll deal with you so badly you’d wish you were dead.”
The officer chuckled awkwardly. “Let’s just calm down. I doubt Serena’s involved. She’s your wife… and the Whitmore heiress. No need for rash accusations.”
THI The phone rang before any of us could say
anything else.”
I grabbed the receiver, “Blackwood
residence.”
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It was the doctor speaking on the other end of the line.
My grip tightened on the phone. My eyes locked on Nathaniel.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“It’s the doctor.”
Nathaniel’s face fell, “The autopsy, what did he say?”
“The body… it’s not Rose. She’s alive.”
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