Chapter 5
The moment I mentioned that I was calling the police, a flicker of emotion crossed Julia’s
face. She quickly tried to divert Caleb’s attention.
She said, “Caleb, my allergy meds are in my bag. Can you grab them for me? I’ll be fine after I take them. There’s no need to call the police, Maeve. I don’t blame you.”
Caleb cradled her and fed her the medication, all the while glaring at me with growing
irritation.
“She wouldn’t dare call the police. You’re having an allergic reaction. Don’t stress yourself
over this. She won’t do it.”
No matter how I explained it, Caleb had already decided I was guilty. I didn’t want to argue. So, I pulled out my phone and started dialing 911.
Caleb slapped it out of my hand and said seriously, “Stop causing trouble! Julia’s willing to let it go. Just apologize to her! Or do you really want to end up in jail?”
I stared at the shattered phone on the ground and let out a bitter laugh.
That phone was part of the matching set Caleb bought for us back then. I held onto it for five years, using it even as it lagged and froze constantly.
Now, he’d made the decision for me.
My voice was steady as I said, “Caleb, you’re really ridiculous. I didn’t do anything, and you think you have the right to assign guilt? Who the hell do you think you are to me?”
His breathing grew uneven from rage.
I crouched and picked up my backup phone from the spilled contents of my bag.
Behind me, Erin spoke up gently, “Maeve, do me a favor and hold off on calling the police for now. We’ve had things go missing around here, so I installed security cameras. There’s one in the kitchen. If someone really tampered with the food, we’ll know soon enough.”
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Chapter 5
nodded. “I want to see who set me up, too.”
+25 Bonus
From the moment Erin mentioned the cameras, Julia and Megan started to look visibly
uneasy.
Once the footage started playing, it showed Megan sneaking around the kitchen.
Caleb frowned. “Why the hell did you put shrimp paste in the food?”
Megan was already on the verge of tears. “I couldn’t stand how close Ms. Leclair was
getting to you.
You and Ms. Griffith are the real couple. I just couldn’t watch her play the mistress
anymore!”
I started clapping in amusement.
“Do you think I’m stupid? You just said you saw me sneaking into the kitchen. You tried to pin this on me, but now you’re saying you did it because you’re a fan of me and Caleb?
“Sweetheart, your story has got more holes than a sponge. We’ve never even spoken before
today.
You were clearly paid to do this.
“I’m calling the police. Maybe they can trace who transferred the money to you through your bank records. With false accusations like this, I can definitely send you to prison for a
few years.”
Megan collapsed to the ground, crying and sniffling.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Griffith! I’m so sorry! It was Ms. Leclair! She gave me ten thousand dollars and instructed me to add the shrimp paste to the food.
“She said she’d have Mr. Ford fire me if I didn’t do as she said. I was so scared. I already returned the money. Please don’t press charges! Please!”
Caleb immediately turned to Julia. His eyes were filled with disbelief. “It was you? Julia, are
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Chapter 5
you out of your mind? Why would you do this?”
+25 Bonus
Julia turned pale and broke down in tears. “I did it because of you! She kept questioning you that day, so I wanted to teach her a lesson. I just wanted to scare her a little, that’s all!”
I held up a hand to put a stop to their dramatic act. Then, right in front of them both, I called the police.
Caleb lunged at me again, trying to snatch the phone. But I was faster this time. I slapped him again, then I turned to Erin and pointed at the bandage on my forehead.
“Mrs. Ford, Caleb gave me a concussion a few days ago. This is what I call tit for tat. You won’t be mad, will you?”
Smiling, Erin waved a hand. “Not at all. Honestly, feel free to slap him a few more times. He
deserves
it.”
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