Fraud? My stomach twisted at the word. “No, that’s impossible. He wouldn’t do that.” I shook my head, trying to dismiss the thought, but my heart raced as I began to connect the dots.
“We need your help, Mrs. Blake,” the officer pressed. “Any information you have would be invaluable.”
I felt my mind racing. I’d always thought Ethan was ambitious, maybe too ambitious. Had he been hiding something darker? “But he’s always been so… careful.”
The officer’s brow furrowed. “Careful doesn’t imply innocent.”
As the weight of his words settled, the realization hit me hard — was he really just celebrating his mother’s birthday, or did he have other motives for leaving me?
Section 5
As the nurse adjusted my IV, I felt a cold wave of dread wash over me. “Can you tell me what the officer wants to know?” I asked, my voice trembling. She hesitated, avoidance flickering in her eyes.
“It’s just routine,” she mumbled. “They’re asking about your husband, Ethan.”
I took a deep breath. “I heard he might be involved in something… serious. Is that true?”
The nurse looked around before lowering her voice. “There were things found in his car. Incriminating things.”
“Incriminating? What do you mean?”
She bit her lip. “Documents, receipts… things that could connect him to some illegal activities.”
My heart raced. “So, he’s in trouble?”
“They suspect he’s involved in fraud related to his family’s business. I’m not supposed to say much, but…”
I shook my head, clenching the sheets. “No, he was just… celebrating his mother’s birthday. That’s all.”
The realization hit me like a slap. How could he be having a party while I was fighting for my life? The pain in my abdomen intensified, but it wasn’t only physical — it sunk deep into my chest.
“He… he wouldn’t do that to me,” I whispered, but my voice faltered.
“I really can’t help you,” the nurse said, stepping back. “You should focus on your recovery.”
But how could I recover when every moment felt like a knife twisting deeper? Ethan’s shadows loomed larger, and I could feel the weight of his choices crushing me.
Section 6
The officer left, and I was still reeling when my phone buzzed. I fumbled for it, my heart racing when I saw Ethan’s name flashing. “Ethan!” I answered, desperate for reassurance.
