Chapter 74
Clayton’s vesice broke through the tension like a snart. “Why the hell are you with her? She’s my wife! Don’t you understand boundaries? Ever heard of ‘don’t mess with your friend’s girl‘?”
Carson let out a sharp Bugh. “She’s your ex wife.”
He hit the word like a slap and then shoved the shopping bag into Audrey’s hands. Without a word, she turned and walked into the visiting room.
Clayton made a move to follow, but Carson stepped into his path. “Why don’t you go back to your precious Valerie before she decides to faint again and blame someone else for it?”
“Carson!” Clayton’s eyes burned with fury. “This is none of your damn business! Audrey and I just had a fight. We’re getting back together soon!”
“Back together?” Carson scoffed. “You already took your so–called savior to bed. What now? Trying to play the loyal husband and the helpless victim all
at once?”
That was the final straw.
Clayton punched him, hard and fast. Carson stumbled backward, caught off guard, but he quickly got up and charged. The two of them collided in a
violent brawl.
“Stop it! Stop fighting” Valerie circled the scuffle in a panic, too afraid to intervene. “Carson! I know you’re trying to help Audrey, but you can’t beat up Clayton! He’s like a brother to you!”
Clayton had been on edge for days, after waiting outside Samson’s place for hours and getting jumped by one of the Ashwood victims. Today’s fight wasn’t planned. It was just rage with nowhere else to go.
But the second fists started flying, it was clear who had the upper hand.
Carson wrestled Clayton to the floor and pointed a finger right at his face.
*You love paying back favors, right? Fine. Valerie saved you, and you’re ready to die for her. Well, Audrey saved me. And I’ll repay that however I damn well want. You don’t get to dictate that.”
“Don’t you dare!” Clayton shouted, eyes wild with fury.
Valerie lunged forward and grabbed Carson’s arm. “How could Audrey be your savior? You’re just using that as an excuse because you’re into her!”
Clayton took the distraction as an opening and sucker–punched Carson across the jaw.
Carson recoiled and then landed a solid kick to Clayton’s side.
Just as they were about to go at it again, a couple of nearby officers stepped in and slammed them apart. “Enough! This is a police station, not a gladiator arena!”
Valerie helped Clayton to his feet, eyes full of concern as she noticed the bruise forming at the corner of his mouth.
Her eyes, already puffy from crying, were now so swollen she could barely see. The mix of weeping and grinning on her distorted face made her look more unhinged than emotional.
Carson brushed off the dirt on his coat and stood tall. He wasn’t the one who threw the first punch, but he certainly hadn’t come out losing.
The door to the visiting room opened with a soft click.
The female officer stepped out, holding Luna by the hand. Audrey followed, carrying the shopping bag.
“Luna! It’s Luna!” Valerie cried out, grabbing Clayton’s arm, overwhelmed with emotion that seemed part joy, part hysteria.
1/3
20:55 Sat, 31 May
Chapter 74
if she’d had the face of a classic beauty, that expression might have come across as “tears of joy.” But right now, with her face bloated like dough and twisted with tears and laughter, it looked more grotesque than touching.
Lama immediately shrank back behind the officer.
The female cop took one look at the trashed lobby before glancing at her colleague, who had been taking Valerie’s statement.
38
He stood and began to report. “She’s the child’s mother. She’s been hospitalized for the past two days. Didn’t leave the kid with any friends or neighbors, doesn’t know when exactly the child went missing, and never filed a report.”
“I didn’t mean to,” Valerie whispered, her voice trembling. “I had my reasons… Clayton, you know I wouldn’t just abandon Luna, right?”
Carson gave her a cold sideways glance. “You’re so worried about your daughter, yet now that she’s right in front of you, you haven’t even tried to hold her. You’ve been clinging to Clayton this whole time.
“So tell me, what exactly did you lose? Your child, or your man?”
“Carson!” Clayton barked and then turned quickly toward Audrey.
She kept her head down, calmly arranging the clothes in the bag as if none of this involved her.
Clayton gently pulled his arm away from Valerie.
Valerie burned with resentment.
“Carson thinks he can just butt in now? He didn’t care about Audrey before. What, did he fall for her too?”
The police watched Valerie carefully. Something about her behavior felt off. She seemed nervous about appearing too close to Clayton and began walking toward Luna instead.
“Luna, baby, why did you run off like that? Mommy was so worried. Come here. Mommy will get you home.”
She reached out to grab her, but the female cop stepped in front of her.
“You’re the child’s mother?” she asked coldly. “I’ve already contacted Child Protective Services. I now have reason to suspect child abuse.”
Valerie’s mind went blank. She stood frozen.
Only then did she realize Luna was wearing new clothes.
“Did the officer change her? Did she see the marks?‘
She hadn’t touched Luna during her hospital stay. The last time had been when she jabbed her in the thigh with a needle. That bruise should’ve faded by
now
Unless… Luna said something.”
Valerie’s face went pale, and her legs gave out. Clayton caught her just before she collapsed.
“Officer, you must be mistaken. Valerie’s ex–husband was abusive. Sometimes he took it out on the kid. That’s why she has psychological issues.”
Me looked at Carson and then back at the officer. “He’s a doctor. He can confirm Luna has autism. Maybe she’s just young and not able to explain things clearly”
“I’m a surgeon,” Carson said, holding up his phone. “I can’t diagnose autism. But I called a friend who can. He’s on his way.”
“I don’t agree!” Valerie suddenly shouted, her composure cracking. “You don’t have the right to bring in some stranger to evaluate my daughter! I’m her mother. I’m taking her home!”
2/3
20:55 Sat. 31 May
Chapes
Chapten tried to calm her, but it was no tres
She lunged across the table, trying to grab Luna. Her wrist was caught mid mistion.
Audrey looked her straight in the eye. Her voice was cold. “What are you so afraid of? That someone might find out Luna isn’t actually sick?”
20%
“Audrey? I know you still love Clayton. You want to get back together. You hate me! I’ll leave, I’ll take Luna and go far away. Just don’t put her through
this
Valerie dropped to her knees, hoping Audrey would stop her, or maybe give her a reason to get back up.
But Audrey didn’t move. She looked down at her, calm and unmoved.
Valerie bit back her anger and forced more tears.
“Audrey, I never meant to come between you two. My father helped the Patel family years ago. I had nowhere to go. That’s the only reason Clayton helped me I know you see him as your anchor here in Ironhaven. You can’t stand seeing another woman around him.
“But accusing me of abusing my child? That’s cruel. Clayton knows how many times I’ve taken beatings to protect Luna.”
“Shut up.” Audrey said suddenly, her voice cutting through the air.
Even the female officer turned her head.
Audrey gave her a polite smile and then faced Valerie again with an expression like stone. “You’re trying to justify yourself, but all I hear is trash.”
Valerie stared at her, stunned.
Audrey’s voice was quiet but steady. “You’re the one who built your life around Clayton. I don’t want him anymore. If collecting trash makes you feel better, go ahead. Take him. Just don’t drag me into it.”
She paused. “I’m talking about Luna. The officer changed her clothes and found bruises. Whether she has a condition or whether she’s being abused? That’s for a specialist to determine.”
AD
