Caleb’s face, which had just started to soften, tightened again as soon as he heard her.
“I don’t get how Bri, of all people, could’ve done anything to offend you, Jeanette! Why do you hate her so much that you keep trying to hurt her? Her dad gave his life on a rescue mission, and this is how you treat the daughter of a fallen hero, huh?
“You… You’re…”
He couldn’t finish his sentence. He clenched his fists and pounded the table in frustration.
Someone handed me a cup of water. I took a few big gulps before I could get the words out. “I didn’t start that fire. Brianna did. She’s the one who should be blamed and locked up. And you should be in jail too, Caleb. You failed in your duty.”
Caleb slammed his hand on the table again and jumped to his feet. He leaned in, his eyes burning into mine.
“Bri is always innocent and sweet! How can you slander her like that? She already told me what happened! It was you—yeah, you, you spiteful woman—who started the fire over some small argument!”
Brianna immediately broke down in tears. “She’s trying to set me up again, Cay. I’m so scared. All I ever wanted was to be your friend. Is that really such a crime? Why won’t you just stop trying to kill me, Jean?”
She lunged at me, grabbing my arm and shaking it.
I pulled away in disgust, and as soon as I did, she collapsed backward and screamed, “Cay, help! She pushed me!”
Caleb jumped to his feet instantly, pulling Brianna into his arms, then used his free hand to grab me and shove me to the ground.
“You actually hurt her right before me, Jeanette? Are you seriously that shameless? If you weren’t pregnant, I’d have you thrown in jail right now to teach you a lesson!” he barked.
I looked up at Caleb, who was seething. He still looked so familiar—the person who once promised me the world. But now, any hopes I had about us were long gone.
In my past life, when Brianna took her own life, he thought I was the one who killed her. Now, with Brianna still alive, he still blamed me for starting that deadly fire.
I just couldn’t see the point of this marriage anymore.
“Let’s just get a divorce, Caleb. Take me to court if you want. Now that the baby’s gone, I’m curious to see if you can still get me thrown in jail,” I said flatly.
Caleb’s brows knitted together as he snapped, “What the hell are you talking about? What do you mean the baby’s gone?”
