After My Death, My Husband Who Threw Me Into the Hunting Grounds Went Insane novel Chapter 40

LUKE

I should've been more careful. I didn't want her to know anything about Stacy. She was my life's flaw—a fruit of the wrong decisions of my past, and someone I wanted to throw out of my life. Scarlet didn't have to know that the woman was my greatest enemy. The reason why my life had turned upside down.

"What's good about that? If she's not who I thought she was, then why can't you tell me who she is?"

"Because she has nothing to do with us. You just have to trust me."

"How can I trust someone who won't say anything?"

"You lied to me once, and I trusted you. Now you just have to trust me too."

"Stop deflecting, Luke—"

"Let's have another deal," I cut her off. If I couldn't tell her about Stacy, I had to do something with her at least.

She blinked. "Another?"

"I've been thinking…" I moved my hand at the small of her back. "I'm going to erase every trace of your invalid marriage."

Now, we're back on this again. "You can do that?"

"Dad asked me about the other documents, and he would find out about your case when the documents land in his hand. I asked Rebecca not to say anything yet, so you still don't have anything to worry about, for now."

My curiosity heightened. "How are you going to do that?"

"It would be hard, yes, but it's possible." I cupped her face. "But of course. It won't be for free."

"What do you want?"

"We just have to continue our agreement. Deal?"

"Are you going to give me your property?"

"Do I have a choice?" I pressed a small kiss on her lips. "Now, will you trust me?"

"Should I ask you the same thing? Do I have a choice?"

Cambridge, Massachusetts, Four Years Ago

"Stop lying to me, Stacy. You fucked another man, and he is my fucking cousin. I told you I loved you, and I gave you everything. I even proposed to you, but you lied to me about my daughter. I loved her. I held her in my arms. You told me I was the father, but clearly, it was Jonas. But even if I knew she wasn't mine, I loved her. You ran away for a year with the five million I gave you for my daughter's wellbeing. You took her away from me, now how dare you to come back telling me that you need me?"

She gripped her wheelchair and tried to follow me with all her strength. "Bella needs you, Luke. I don't need anything, and I'm not going to ask you to come back to me. All I want for you is to support my child. It's going to be difficult for me."

I stared at her artificial leg. She had a car accident that almost took her life. I wanted to pity her, but she destroyed my life.

"Ah, that's not everything. You accused me of Jonas' murder, and you got me to put in prison for two fucking months. Thankfully, your evidence is fabricated, so I managed to get myself out of that hell."

"Bella has leukemia, Luke."

"What? What did you say?"

"I'm not asking you to come back to me, just save my child, Luke. You do love her, right? Please?"

"Why should I trust you?"

"Because she's your daughter too. That's what she thinks, at least. And she needs you…"

SCARLET

Luke pulled away from one of our longest kisses and whispered, "I hate it to break it to you, but I kinda have someone to talk to. This won't take long, I promise."

I frowned. "Do you often have a meeting at this hour? It's seven-thirty."

"Mm." He pressed a quick kiss on my lips. "Will you wait for me here?"

"Where would I go?"

"Don't walk out on me again, please."

I chuckled. "Okay."

Whenever I was in the same room as him, I tended to lose myself, like there was no point in resisting. It was frustrating. He didn't even get to tell me about Stacy. All I got was his reputation for being honest—or maybe he was just like me. He wasn't ready to share this part of his life, just as I wasn't ready to tell him about my past.

It shouldn't be a big deal for him. Our relationship would be over in two months, and he'd be my stepbrother forever after.

While waiting for him, I took out my phone and called Katherine. She knew I was going to return the earrings, but she didn't know I wouldn't be home tonight. I could already imagine her reaction. She would be furious, but I still need to tell her everything.

He's got to be kidding me.

Immediately, I composed a text and sent it to him.

What is wrong with you? I don't want you to come over.

We're on our way. Expect me in 15 minutes – Nate

What the hell? Damn it. I replied again.

Are you out of your mind? Are you really going to make this complicated?

No, no. I erased the message and called his number again. Fortunately, he answered. "Are you out of your mind? Are you really going to make this complicated?"

"I'm driving, Scar. You don't want me to get into an accident."

"Then stop the car!" I screamed. "Luke won't like this. You don't know him."

"No, I don't, so I'll tell your stepbrother to fucking back off."

"Come on, Nate! You did this once to our classmate—"

"That guy was trying to get in your pants. That bastard already tried to seduce Katherine. You knew what happened. I don't have to repeat the story. I'm just afraid of the aftermath if you choose to continue your relationship with him."

"And it's okay for you to take Anthony? Are you saying those words right now in front of him? How could you be so unreasonable?"

"Because unlike those guys you were with, he's not an ass."

"Why are you doing this to me? Ugh!" I groaned.

This time I hung up. I didn't want him and Luke to meet. Nate could be violent. Paul ended up in the hospital for three days after Nate beat him half to death. I wasn't expecting Nate to do that with Luke, but he could hurt him too.

I pulled out a sheet of paper from Luke's table, and I wrote a note.

Totally not running away. There's something important I need to do. I'll call you – Scar

I left the paper on his table and hurriedly went out of the office. I heard the secretary calling my name, but I ignored her.