Chapter 4
The moment Norman saw the contents of the divorce agreement, he was struck speechless.
After a pause, his face hardened, and he said, “You’ve always sworn you’d never give up being Mrs. Walsh, and now you’re suddenly asking for a divorce. Have you lost your mind?”
Juliet’s voice stayed calm. “Not at all. I want 30% of our shared assets and Lenny. That’s it. Sign the papers, and I’ll meet you at the courthouse tomorrow at 9:00 am.”
Norman gripped the agreement, his brow furrowed as he remained silent.
Juliet let out a bitter laugh at the sight. “What? After eight years of building everything with you, isn’t 30% of what we’ve earned together fair?”
Norman’s frown deepened. Juliet had always been compliant. She’d never been the type to behave this way.
It occurred to him that he might have pushed her too far by threatening her with the one thing she held dear. He simply tore the agreement and tossed it into the trash.
“You’re still running a fever. Take your medicine and get some rest,” he said.
Juliet printed another copy of the divorce agreement and handed it to him, her tone pleading but firm. “Norman, you’ve never cared about me anyway. Let’s get this over with quickly so I can make room for Iris. If 30% is too much, I’ll take 20%. Just sign it.”
A voice came from the doorway. “Sign what?”
Juliet looked up to see a pale-faced Iris pushing the door open and stepping inside.
Iris looked puzzled as she asked, “What’s going on between you two?”
Juliet’s eyes stung when she noticed the bags of belongings Iris’ assistant was carrying behind her. She wasn’t even dead yet, and Norman was rushing to bring Iris into their home. How cruel of him!
But it didn’t matter anymore. She’d be gone for good in two days.
“Ms. Roth, we were just—” Juliet began, but Norman cut her off.
“Ris, you’ll stay in the guest room on the first floor for the next few days. Let me show you the way.”
“Sure, Norman. You go ahead. I’ll just have a quick word with Juliet and join you shortly,” Iris replied, her smile gentle and warm.
As soon as Norman left, Iris’ gentle façade vanished. She crossed her arms, her expression turning smug.
“Honestly, I never wanted you to take my place at the concert, Juliet. It was Norman’s idea. He said you look the most like me, so you’d have the best chance of fooling the serial killer.
“He really does love me deeply, doesn’t he? He doesn’t care about your life at all. If I were you, I’d be too humiliated and furious to stick around, let alone cling to the title of Mrs. Walsh.”
Juliet’s voice was dripping with sarcasm. “If you’re so eager to be Mrs. Walsh, why don’t you bring it up with him? Why bother telling me? He loves you so much. It’s not like he’d say no, right?”
Iris’ face stiffened.
Juliet had always been so quiet and compliant. What had gotten into her tonight, making her so quick with her words? Could it be that Norman had…
Iris’ eyes darted, and then, out of nowhere, she struck herself twice across the face, her voice cracking as she burst into tears.
“Juliet, I know you’re upset with me because you have to fill in for me at the concert. I get it, and I don’t hold it against you. Do you feel better now? If you’re still mad, hit me a few more times. I won’t take it personally!”
“Ris!” Norman shoved the door open and hurried to Iris’ side, his expression stormy. “Juliet, how could you lay a hand on her?”
Juliet struggled to explain herself, but Norman didn’t let her get a word in. “You’ve always treated Iris so well. I never imagined you’d turn against her the moment I wasn’t around!
“I’ll make sure you pay tenfold for every bit of pain you’ve caused her! You! Get over here and teach Mrs. Walsh how to behave!”
Chapter 5
The bodyguard’s slap sent a searing pain across Juliet’s face, her ears ringing like a swarm of bees had been unleashed inside them. The pain was so intense she worried her hearing might never recover.
Gritting her teeth against the pounding ache, she managed to say, “Norman, if I told you I didn’t lay a finger on her, would you even believe me?”
Norman’s expression was stone-cold. “The evidence is staring me in the face, and you’re still playing innocent? If this happens again, I’ll make sure your mom’s cat disappears for good.”
Iris broke down sobbing. “My face will heal in a few days, Norman. Don’t take it out on Juliet. She still has to cover for me and handle the serial killer. That cat is her whole world. If anything happens to him, it’ll break her.”
“You’ve always been too soft-hearted. You never stop to think about what you’ve been through,” Norman said, his chest tightening as he pulled Iris close and guided her out of the room.
Juliet leaned against the wall, struggling to get herself up, and began packing her things. She gathered every gift she’d given Norman over the past eight years, planning to auction them off. She also wiped her phone clean of every photo and closed all her bank accounts.
As she dragged her suitcase downstairs, she spotted Norman and Iris in the living room, tangled up in each other’s arms. When Norman noticed Juliet, a flicker of discomfort crossed his face.
He pushed Iris away and barked, “You started this by going after Ris. I went easy on you by only giving you one slap. And now you’re running away like some kid throwing a tantrum?”
In the past, seeing them like this would have shattered Juliet, leaving her crying herself to sleep. Now, she felt nothing, as though she were watching someone else’s life unfold before her.
She ignored Norman and pushed open a door, scanning every corner of the room for Lenny.
“Lenny, where are you? Come on, we’re getting out of here.”
Norman’s expression turned grim, his irritation clear. “Juliet, who said you could leave this house? You two, take Mrs. Walsh back to her room. She doesn’t step a foot outside without my permission!”
Juliet fought back with everything, but her energy faltered, and the bodyguards dragged her up the stairs.
She called for Lenny over and over, but there was no trace of him. Sweat dotted her forehead as panic seized her.
Suddenly, her gaze landed on Iris, who was lounging on the couch, munching on grapes and playing with a small bell dangling from her finger.
Juliet recognized that bell instantly. It was the one Lenny always wore around his neck!
“Iris, did you let my cat out on purpose? He’s quiet, well-behaved, and never caused you any problems. Why would you do something like this to him?” Juliet’s voice was heavy with sorrow and anger.
Norman looked startled by her words. He turned to Iris, his tone firm. “Ris, have you seen Lenny?”
Iris’ face fell, her expression wounded. “No, Norman. I didn’t know this bell belonged to the cat. I found it by the windowsill—”
Juliet’s voice sliced through the air, edged with accusation. “You’re lying! That bell’s strap is sturdy. It wouldn’t just come off on its own!”
Iris hung her head, her eyes red and puffy. “Juliet, if you’re set on believing I’m the one who let the cat out, then fine, I’ll take the blame. I’m sorry. It’s on me. I’ll get you another cat tomorrow.”
“It’s not your fault the cat’s gone, Ris. Why are you apologizing?” Norman pulled her into his arms, calming her, then turned to Juliet, his tone stern. “Juliet, come over here and apologize to her!”
Juliet turned to him, her voice trembling with tears. “Lenny’s bell didn’t just fall off on its own. Someone must have cut it! Norman, please, just let me go look for him. I’ve never asked you for a single thing in all these eight years. Just this once! He’s all I have left from my mom, the only thing!”
Seeing Juliet on the verge of breaking down, Norman opened his mouth to speak, but Iris gently interrupted, “Norman, let Juliet go look for the cat. It’s just a few accusations. I’m fine, really. What matters right now is finding the cat.”
Recalling Juliet’s earlier accusations against Iris, Norman’s expression darkened. “Apologize to Ris first. Otherwise, you’re not leaving your room!”
