He just wanted an excuse to see Sylvie more often.
This five-year-long lie…
It’s time to end it.
Verity's POV
Monty had just walked out the door when I left too to head to the law firm to print a divorce agreement.
I also got all my personal documents canceled.
The case files? Monty already took them, so going to the police now wouldn’t do me any good.
Leaving—that was my only option.
When I brought the papers to Monty’s police department, I overheard some of his staff talking.
“Is that the Detective Sergeant’s wife? She looks kinda familiar… Wait, wasn’t she part of that Raleighs tragedy five years ago?”
“Wanna get extra drills from the Detective Sergeant? Don’t talk nonsense. He already said she wasn’t the murderer. Shut it—if he hears you, he’ll lose it again. He’s already argued with the Chief enough over this case.”
“That outfit must be worth a fortune. I heard she just got back from France—she’s rich, no way she’d need to kill anyone. And did you see how the Detective Sergeant looked at her? Dang, he looked like he wanted to be glued to her side. If she really was the murderer, he would’ve arrested her on the spot.”
My nails dug deep into my palms.
I was standing outside the office door and heard a voice I knew all too well.
“Has Wiley been treating you well these past few years?
“You know your brother—once he heard I was coming back, he went and bought me a private jet. Wouldn’t take no for an answer. It’s been five years of marriage and he still acts like a kid…”
“That’s good. Then I can stop worrying.” Monty’s voice was full of bitterness, low and heavy.
“Monty, hey, I really owe you for what happened back then. If not for you, I might still be rotting in jail.
“By the way, I think I’ll skip tomorrow’s family dinner. Don’t wanna upset Verity. I mean, every time she sees me, she remembers Uncle Rauben and Auntie Aurelia. I don’t want her blowing up at you again…”
That’s always how Sylvie was—taking all the benefits, then turning around to throw shade at me. Mocking and sarcastic.
Back when Monty was investigating the case, I’d secretly read the files.
I knew she was the only suspect.
At the wedding, I called her out in front of everyone—said she was the one who killed my parents.
Tried to have her taken to the police department.
But everyone sided with her.
Everyone said I was immature and didn’t know what I was talking about.
Only Monty stepped in for me.