Chapter 32
For a moment, the entire precinct fell into a strange silence.
The young female officer who’d spoken to me earlier had just returned from her patrol. Sponing us, she pulled another officer aside and whispered something quickly, her eyes darting our way.
I knew the police wouldn’t do much with a domestic dispure–at most, they’d mediate
As long as Jude backed her up, Vivian could probably get away with anything short of arson.
at I wasn’t going to just let it slide. She wanted to parade around in front of me? Fine. Let’s make it a show
And Jude still didn’t want a divorce, which only made it easier to push back.
People were beginning to take notice. Curiosity flared in their eyes as they looked our way
Casey scoffed under her breath, munering, “Ada, he’s only your Island on paper now.
“Letting the side chick walk into your home like she owns it- what a scumbag. Disgusting”
For whatever reason, the precinct was especially crowded today.
1 bowed my head slightly and dabbed at the corner of my eye, wiping away nonexistent tears, frigning sadness.
A couple of middle–aged women nearby couldn’t help themvehrer.
One of them exclaimed indignantly, “You’ve got to be kidding me. A girl that young stealing someone’s husband‘ Shameless.”
The other chimed in. “She’s probably just in it for the money. Look at the wife so plain. And the other one’s decked out like it’s fashion week.”
Another onlooker joined the chorus. “That man’s face screams bad news. Total trach, both of them.”
Their outrage snowballed. One after another, they joined in, all of them siding with me, their right fury echoing through the room.
Jude’s face darkened. He kept his eyes on me, rigid and silent, his paw clenched
Vivian began to crumble under the weight of so much public comtempt
voice came out strained as she retorted, “I’m not the other woman! The one who isn’t loved is the real homewrecker!”
Her pour turned sour, and her v
She continued, raising her voice defensively, “You think you know anything! They hadn’t had feelings for each other in agest She’s the one clinging on refusing to let go of my boyfriend?”
The more she tried to explain, the worse it sounded.
Eventually, a weary officer ushered us
d us into a private room.
He started, sighing. “This really seems like a civil matter,” and then added, “and without drar financial damages”
“She broke one of my vases,” I said calmly, looking down and idly twisting my ring, my tone matter–of–fart,
“It’s antique. Worth a few thousand dollars, easily. Should be enough to open a case, don’t you think?” I asked.
The officer blinked, dearly not capenting me to go there, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
Vivian flared again, her voice full of contempt as she sneered, “Oh, please. That vaseh Everything i the house was bought with Jude’s money. What did you ever contribute? Could you even afford something like that?”
Viman was still arrogant. With Jude’s affection, she truly had the confidence to act that way.
I finally looked up at her, my expression cool, and countered, “Doesn’t matter if I never made a dime. It’s still marital property. You don’t have the right to tour hit
“And for the record, you walked out with my jewelry. Even if Jude and I splat, those pieces legally belong to the wife. It that right?.
I turned to the officer, who gave a hesitant pod
“Vivian, the jewelry you took–caudly worth reas of thousands. Now tell me, doesn’t that sound like a major theft charge?” I questioned, my gaze hard on her.
Carry was
1/2
was squeezing my hand, her grip trembling with excitement
Chapter 32
I could tell she hadn’t expected this version of me the one who didn’t flinch, who fought back without yelling
The officer frowned, clearly realizing this wasn’t as simple as he’d hoped.
“Alriglu, let’s try mediation first. If that fails, we’ll proceed accordingly.” He stepped out, and the room chilled
Vivian clung to Jude’s arm, pouting and whining. But he kept his eyes on me.
He stared for a long me before letting out a short, humorless bugh. “Ada, I should’ve known. You’ve always loved mancy”
His voice was biting as he added. You ran off with that rich kid abroad and dumped me without a second thought. Now you’re after my money again. Is there anything you won’t do for a dollar?”
I molded slightly. He wasn’t wrong.
But before I could say anything, Casey shot up from her seat
She snapped jabbing a finger at him. “You’ve got some nerve bringing up the past,” and continued, “Do you even know what really
“Casey, I cut her off, tugging her gengly back down, my voice firm. “Let it go
There’s nothing more to say, I murmured. “What happened is what happened”
She looked at me, frustration clear on her face, but didn’t speak again.
Some truths are better left buried. Especially now, when everything between us was already scorched beyond recognition
But Jude narrowed his eyes. Something about our exchange had railed him.
He asked, his voice laced with suspicion, “What happened back then?”
“What do you think?” I looked at him, my voice devoid of emotion. “I chased a richer män. I left you. Isn’t that enough!”
The began, his face reddening with anger.
His hands curled imo fists. “You
Vivian clung to him rightly. Jude, none of that matters anymore. Let’s just move on. Please
She tumed toward me, voice thick with tears and begged, “What do you even want from mel
She turned toward me, voice thick with tears, and begged, “What do you even want from me?”
“You’re insane” she shrieked
Jude wrapped his arms around her protectively, trying to soothe her.
When he looked back at me, his expression was weary. “Come on, Ada. She was just at the house. Was that really necessary?” he asked.
1 raised a brow. “She broke into my home, Jude. Or wait–did you give her permission? Did you tell her to take my jewelry, my dresses? You are partners in crime, recht?”
His expression froze. He kicked between us, slowly putting the pieces together.
Vivian went pale. “There was a dinner… I didn’t want to embarrass you. I thought she stammered,
She never brushed. She didn’t need to. We all knew exactly what she’d done.
It seemed that she didn’t get the order.
Jude’s chest rose and fell, breath shallow, as he stared at her.
I waited. I wanted to see how he’d spin this.
