Chapter 7
Courtney didn’t g
go home with Austin. Instead, she insisted on staying at a hotel. Austin, uneasy about leaving her alone, offered to stay.
Courtney scribbled in her notebook. [No need. Go home.
“Courtney, I know you’re mad at me,” Austin began to explain. “After you went missing, I drowned myself in alcohol. Vera spiked my drink, and I mistook her for you… I was furious when I realized and completely cut ties with her
“But she wouldn’t let go and later claimed she was pregnant,” he continued. “She refused to terminate the pregnancy and gave birth on her own. then raised Phoebe to two years old, which made me feel bad for her.”
Courtney’s grip tightened on the notebook. Vera had the child through manipulations, yet Austin felt bad for her. She couldn’t help but scoff inwardly.
“Later, Phoebe got sick. Vera had been disowned by Mr. Lewis for having a baby out of wedlock and was kicked out of the house. Desperate, she came to me. Austin went on.
“At first, I only wanted to help because of Phoebe Courtney, Phoebe is innocent, Austin said, crouching by the bed, his eyes fixed nervously on Courtney.
Courtney remained silent, her thoughts chewhere
“Austin, I know you’ve been through a lot these past years. My biggest regret is letting you go there back then. Austin’s voice cracked as he held her hand, his eyes red.
But now, words meant nothing.
[You have to choose–me or her.] Courtney wrote on the paper. The law only allowed one wife, and Austin needed to make a decision.
“Courtney, please give me some time, okay?” Austin pleaded, gripping her hand tightly.
Courtney took a deep breath, lowering her gaze. Her trembling fingers wrote the words. [You’ve made your choice. Austin, Let’s dissolve our marriage.)
She had made her decision to leave. No one could know how much it hurt
She had already last everything. The only thing keeping her going now was uncovering the truth about their abduction and giving her parents the justice they deserved.
“Courtney. Austin’s voice broke as he held her hand tightly, snatching the pen from her grasp. “Don’t say things like that. Please. I need time to process this. I’m not going to let you go. You know I love you.”
“But Vera… she’s been by my side all these years. And Phoebe, she’s just a child. It hasn’t been easy for her either. I need time to figure things out. Please, just give me time,” he begged her.
The distance between them was no longer just five years–it was far greater.
Austin’s phone kept buzzing incessantly. Frustrated, he declined the call, but the phone rang again moments later. Courtney knew it was Vera.
[Go home;} she signed, her gestures brm.
Austin seemed to understand and shook his head. “Courtney, I spoke with Jack from the psych department. He said your condition is a stress response–part of PTSD. What you need right now is companionship, and I’ll stay with you until you recover”
Courtney pulled her hand back from Austin’s grasp, her entire being resisting his touch.
She once believed that with Austin by her side, she would slowly heal. He would be her remedy, her solace. But now, he and Vera had become the final straw that broke her spirit.
“Austin, Phoebe has a fever! What’s wrong with you? It’s the middle of the night, and why aren’t you with your wife and child?” Austin’s phone rang again, this time with James Lewis, Vera’s father, on the other end.
Not wanting to upset Courtney further, Austin stood up and walked to the corner to take the call.
“James, Robert’s team has returned. You’ve probably heard… Courtney is back, Austin said softly.
There was a long silence on the other end before James finally responded, his tone low and firm. “Austin, you know very well how much my daughter has sacrificed for you. She gave you a child and stayed by your side for five years.”
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11:20 AM
Chapter 7
“Yes, Courtney used to be your wife, but back then, you had just gotten married. You didn’t even have a wedding. You know what choice you need to make,” he continued.
“Your career is on the rise. Think carefully and resolve this mess quickly. After all, Courtney is also a doctor at our hospital,” he added with a sharper edge.
“She has no family left, nothing to hold you back” James reminded him. “It’s up to you.
“Okay…” Austin replied quietly, glancing back at Courtney instinctively. She sat on the bed, looking quiet yet unbearably forlorn.
James was right. Courtney had nothing left–no parents, no voice to defend herself. She had become someone people could disregard or bully.
They say the weak always bear the brunt of misfortune. Courtney was living proof of that harsh reality.
“Courtney, Phoebe is sick. I need to go home, Austin said softly as he walked over to her. He leaned down, intending to kiss her forehead.
Courtney flinched away, her fists clenched tightly. Deep down, she understood. Austin had already made his choice. Between her and Vera, he had chosen Vera.
“Courtney, we’re not naive kids anymore. The adult world is harsh, Austin said, crouching in front of her, his gaze intense. “But believe me. I love you. I’ll make proper arrangements”
“Even if we divorce. I’ll always protect you. Stay
Stay with me, okay? As long as I’m here..
long as I’m here, I won’t let anyone hurt you,” he promised.
Courtney looked at Austin with disbelief. He wanted to divorce her and then keep her as his mistress.
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