Chapter 2
I finished filing the police report and had just returned to the villa to pack when the door was kicked open.
Lydon stood in the doorway with a dark face, Kay and Chuck behind him. The two children’s eyes were filled with fury, as if I had done something unforgivable.
“You’re the one who called the police to accuse Agnes of murder?” His voice was icy. “Who did she kill? Are you ever going to stop?”
Before I could speak, Kay rushed up and shoved me. “Bad Mom! You won’t be satisfied unless Aunt Agnes dies!”
Chuck pounced too, his little fists thudding against my thigh. “You’re terrible! Aunt Agnes is so nice—why are you slandering her?”
I stumbled back from the push; my spine slammed into the wardrobe, and the pain made me draw a sharp breath.
Red-eyed, I looked at them, my voice shaking. “She switched the dummy for my brother. She had Roger fried alive… I called the police to arrest her. Was I wrong?”
The father and sons froze at the same time.
Lydon sneered. “What nonsense are you spouting? How could Agnes ever do such a thing?”
I laughed until tears spilled. “Then call my brother right now. See if he answers.”
He frowned, took out his phone, and dialed Roger’s number.
“Beep—beep—”
After the long waiting tone, the call cut off automatically—no one answered.
Lydon’s expression shifted slightly. He was just about to speak when the door was gently pushed open.
Agnes walked in, face pale, leaning weakly on the doorframe. “I heard… Roger went on a graduation trip. Maybe the signal’s bad and he didn’t get the call.”
Kay and Chuck immediately ran over and supported her on either side. “Aunt Agnes! Why did you leave the hospital? Didn’t the doctor say you need to rest?”
She gave a helpless little smile. “I heard Blanca called the police to say I killed someone. How could I not come explain it clearly?” Then she lifted her eyes to me, gaze gentle yet powerless. “Blanca, I know what you’re afraid of. Yes, Lydon and I once cared for each other, but that time has passed. You’re married now. I will only bless you quietly—I would never destroy your family. There’s really no need for you to slander me like this… Murder is far too heavy a charge.”
Kay immediately tipped up his small face, brimming with worship. “Look at Aunt Agnes’s grace! Then look at Mom! The difference couldn’t be clearer!”
Chuck pouted and echoed, “Kay, you’re right. Mom only lies and hurts people!”
My whole body trembled; my nails dug deep into my palms. “Once the police finish investigating, you’ll know who’s right and who’s wrong.”
“Investigate?” Lydon gave a cold laugh. “The truth is that you’re slandering Agnes. What’s left to investigate?”
Looking down at me from on high, he spoke in a tone that allowed no refusal: “I’ve already withdrawn the case and put the word out. No one in Paris will take your case.”
I stared at him in disbelief; just as I opened my mouth, my phone rang.
It was the police station.
“Donna, we’ve withdrawn the case… The Don has spoken; there’s nothing we can do. Please accept our condolences. No one in Paris will touch this case.”
When the call ended, I stood where I was, a wave of cold creeping up from the soles of my feet.
Pain, despair, fury… all of it pressed against my chest, as if someone had had gouged out a piece of my heart. The hurt made my vision go black.
And yet in the end, I laughed.
I looked at my dearest husband and sons and laughed until the tears wouldn’t stop.
His tone softened. “Enough. This ends here. I went a bit too far this time and scared you. I apologize.”
He paused. “Whatever compensation you want, I can give it.”
The tears were still falling, but my gaze grew colder, bit by bit.
I lifted a hand to wipe my eyes dry, turned toward the drawer. My movements were very slow, as if with every step I were bidding farewell to the person I used to be.
When I took out the divorce agreement, my fingers trembled—not from anger or grief, but from a peace that felt almost like release.
