Chapter 24
My spirit was on a mission to find Max, but a trip to the hospital left me empty-handed. I had no clue where he lived. So, without much thought, I drifted back to the villa where Claude and I had exchanged vows, the Silverwood Estate. When I first saw the term “meteor shower,” I thought Claude had chosen this place for our wedding because of his fascination with the stars.
Initially, I believed it was just a matter of him adjusting to being my husband, that deep down, he still harbored feelings for me. But all those illusions shattered one morning.
Kate came knocking on Claude’s door early in the day.
Our rooms were close, so I overheard her excitement.
“Claude, there’s a meteor shower tonight. You can finally use that telescope you bought. I just love watching shooting stars p>
Frozen in bed, I realized then that all of Claude’s affections were for Kate, never for me.
Facing the words “meteor shower,” my spirit felt a burning sensation in my eyes, like I was about to cry, even though I didn’t have a physical form to do so.
Entering the garden, I heard Kate and Claude setting up the telescope, lamenting the possibility of not seeing the meteor shower.
“I’m so bummed we might miss it,” Kate said.
Ever so doting, Claude comforted her, “We’ll see them. Be patient p>
Their world seemed unperturbed by my missing, their minds preoccupied with celestial events.
As Kate cooed, her phone rang. A glance at the caller ID made her panic, and she silenced the call quickly.
“What’s wrong?” Claude asked, noticing Kate’s flustered state.
“Just some scam call,” Kate replied, shaking it off.
Claude didn’t press further, their attention returning to the stars.
A moment later, Kate typed a quick message on her phone, turning to Claude My brother wants me home tonight. It’s not right to stay over every day before we’re officially family p>
Claude held her hand without suspicion, “I’ve been too eager. I’ve missed out on so many years with you p>
Kate leaned on Claude’s shoulder and abruptly announced her departure, “I should go. It’s getting late p>
“I’ll drive you,” Claude offered.
“No need!” It was the first time Kate had ever refused Claude. Quickly, she backtracked, “Or, you could drive me. That’s fine.” Another message buzzed her phone, and she didn’t have the guts to check it.
Upon reaching the Goodwin
Mansion with Claude, I spotted Scar Man’s car parked not too far off. Shocked, I covered my mouth. Was
it
ate who had arranged for Scar
Man to kidnap me?
to
Kate, too, saw the car, her body tensing at the thought of Claude driving any closer, possibly recognizing the faces inside.
She clung to Claude. “There’s something I’ve been hiding. Can we pull over so I can tell you p>
Worried for Kate, Claude complied, “What’s wrong? Have I been too focused on finding Claire to notice something’s bothering you p>
Tears streamed down Kate’s face. “Do you see that car up ahead? It’s been following me. I’ve been too scared to go home, only doing so tonight because my brother insisted.” Claude’s gaze turned icy toward Scar Man’s vehicle. “I’ll take you home first p>
I knew Claude well enough to tell he was scheming how to handle these creeps, figuring out ways to get Scar Man thrown in jail.
But why was Scar Man following Kate? Confused, I watched Claude’s car enter the Goodwin Mansion, and Scar Man’s vehicle drove off.
Fearing for Max’s safety, I followed Scar Man’s car, which returned to a cabin and settled into silence, lighting a fire and boiling water.
The cabin, the scene of my initial
crime, filled me with dread. It was there where the villains had stripped me of my valuables, including a bracelet my parents had left me, carelessly thrown on a wooden table. My wedding ring, which they couldn’t remove, was brutally cut off during one of my escape attempts.