Blanche rolled up the window, her face set as she explained the situation to the police and gave them the address.
Eddy heard every word. It was as if he’d swallowed a thousand needles–pain radiated through him, inside and out.
His beloved wife was going to turn him in.
He wanted nothing more than to see her face one last time, but she shut the window, shutting him out completely.
By the time Blanche arrived at the apartment complex, the police were already
there.
Seeing Fernando and Terrell safe, she rushed to Terrell and pulled him into a tight
embrace.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart,” she whispered, holding Terrell close. “Mommy got here too late.”
But Terrell barely looked at her. His gaze darted past Blanche as he called out, “Mr. Simmons!”
Blanche straightened and looked over her shoulder. Not far away stood Eddy, battered and hollow–eyed. Without hesitation, she pointed him out to the police. “I believe he’s the one who held my friends against their will.”
The words hit Eddy like a punch to the chest.
A chill settled over him. His wife was siding with another man against him–how could he not be furious? But what good did anger do now? She was still his wife.
He took a step toward Blanche, desperate to close the distance between them.
“Mr. Reese, is it him?” the officer asked Fernando.
Fernando nodded. “Yes. After he came to our house two days ago, he took my phone and car keys. He wouldn’t let us leave.”
“He kept us trapped. Darcey was there too.”
At that, Caleb stepped out from behind Blanche, nervous but determined. “I’m Darcey Caleb. Mr. Simmons did take Professor Reese’s phone and keys, but… he never stopped us from leaving.”
Fernando shot Darcey an exasperated look. “At the time, I didn’t fight him because I
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was worried about my son and Darcey’s safety.”
“We’ll get to the bottom of this,” the officer replied, professional but firm. “Everyone involved will need to come down to the station to give statements.”
Blanche went with Terrell to provide her account, guilt and concern evident in every word she exchanged with Fernando as they walked together. She fussed over Fernando and Terrell, making sure they were unharmed.
Fernando practically glowed with happiness, like a bee discovering its first spring bloom.
Eddy brought up the rear, his dark gaze icy as he glared at Fernando.
Despite Fernando’s statement, neither Darcey nor Terrell accused Eddy, and there was no direct evidence that he’d held anyone unlawfully.
The case was dropped.
Eddy moved to Blanche’s side, reaching for her hand, but she instantly pulled away.
“Blanche-”
The way he called her made everyone nearby glance over.
Blanche turned a cold stare on him. “Don’t call me that.”
Eddy’s heart leapt when she finally acknowledged him, but her next words sliced right through him.
“You’re not my husband. You never were, and you don’t deserve to be.”
Each word stabbed into him like a knife.
His eyes were bloodshot, hysteria swirling inside him.
She was his wife–he’d never agreed to a divorce.
Not worthy? If not him, then who?
Ablett–the self–righteous hypocrite who’d coaxed another man’s wife away?
Or cunning, calculating Fernando?
Fernando’s people had arrived yesterday; if they’d wanted him arrested, they could have done it then. Fernando–had waited, just so his foolish wife would realize he’d been held captive–so she would worry for him, care for him.
Eddy forced himself to tamp down his rage, smoothing his expression as best he could. “To me, you’ll always be my wife–my treasure.”
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“I was just visiting the Reese family, waiting for you. That’s all.”
Every word from Eddy made Blanche’s skin crawl. She drew Terrell closer, “Let’s get you home, sweetheart.”
“Mom, will you stay with me tonight? I missed you so much.”
Terrell clung to her, his little arms tight around her waist. Blanche stroked his cheek, her voice gentle. “Of course, darling. I’m not going anywhere.”
As Fernando walked past Eddy, he shot him a triumphant glance, a flicker of victory in his eyes.
Chapter 225
