Chapter 15
Mason let out a long sigh, his voice suddenly serious. “Prepare yourself. Here’s what I found.”
Callum frowned and nodded.
“After came back, Estelle had her sights set on you. She faked a bunch of medical records for some bullshit depression diagnosis to win your sympathy. And to get closer to you, she staged a breakdown and rammed a car–your mother–in–law’s car, actually.”
Mason’s tone dropped lower. “Based on what I found, her real target that day was Evelyn. Someone had been staking out Evelyn’s place for days, tracking her comings and goings. But it just so happened that your mother–in–law left first.”
Before Mason could finish, Callum’s fists clenched so tightly his knuckles cracked.
His jaw tensed. “What else?”
Mason hesitated, then sighed. “You probably already guessed–her so–called therapy dog? Total scam. Was never for emotional support. It was a setup, part of a plan to frame Evelyn.”
Callum’s eyes snapped up.
His mind flashed back to the day Estelle tumbled down the stairs–right after giving Evelyn that so–called gift. Evelyn had been visibly upset, even furious.
Callum pulled out his phone and made a call. Three minutes later, a message came through.
That cheap porcelain locket Estelle had handed Evelyn? It wasn’t just a trinket. It had belonged to Evelyn’s late mother.
Estelle had killed Evelyn’s mother in that crash–and then had the audacity to taunt her with her mother’s keepsake.
No wonder Evelyn had been enraged, desperate to snatch it back.
It had been the last thing she had left of her mother.
And what had he done?
He’d stood by and watched Estelle smash it to pieces. Worse–he’d punished Evelyn afterward for being “disobedient. Crack!
Callum slapped himself. Then again. And again.
Hard Relentless. The sound echoed through the room.
He couldn’t breathe past the guilt.
He had never hated himself more.
Mason lunged forward, grabbing Callum’s wrists in panic. “Stop! What the hell are you doing?! You want to punish yourself? Go make it up to her! You’re wasting time beating yourself up here–go beg for her forgiveness!”
Callum’s hands slowly dropped. His eyes were red, but he nodded.
He showed up at Estelle’s apartment without warning.
The moment she saw him, she threw herself into his arms. “Callum, you’re finally back. I missed you so much.”
He felt nauseous.
He pushed her away instantly,
“Estelle Moore, was the fake kidnapping fun for you?”
Estelle’s smile crumbled.
Callum yanked her by the hair, making her scream.
“You’ve been playing me for how long now? Huh?! Must’ve taken some serious talent to lie so well.”
His expression was dead cold, but the rage behind it was volcanic.
His eyes burned into her like knives,
Chapter 15
