Chapter 8
Turns out, I had a knack for this.
A few minutes later, Anita called–full–blown meltdown mode.
A cold, emotionless recording couldn’t capture Deke’s desperate expressions, but that didn’t matter. She believed it. And those cracks between them? Only getting wider.
I didn’t bother answering. Just blocked her.
With no way to vent at me, she’d take it all out on Deke.
Those two were in for a war.
Sure enough, two days later, word got around–Deke got his head bashed in.
He called, voice shaking like he was about to cry. “Babe, I’m hurt. Can you come to the hospital and see me?”
I hung up.
Lately, Deke and Anita–these two lunatics–had been calling nonstop, even switching numbers when I blocked them. At this rate, I’d blacklisted at least twenty numbers.
Then, Cassandra called.
I hesitated, then picked up.
Cassandra sighed, laying on the helpless act. “Zoey, Deke knows he was wrong. He and Anita are cooling off right now. Once they finalize everything, I still fully support you two
being together.”
I stayed silent, waiting to see where this was going.
She took my silence as interest and continued. “You and Deke have been together for three years. It hasn’t been easy. As compensation, we’ll put your name on the house deed when
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Chapter 8
we buy a place. How about that?”
Deke and Cassandra really thought they had this all figured out.
They’d been scheming for my savings this whole time, and now they expected me to be grateful for a name on a piece of paper?
What a joke.
Once she finished, I asked calmly, “Which hospital is Deke in?”
***
Logically, Deke should’ve been avoiding Anita. Wherever he was staying, he definitely
wouldn’t want her finding out.
Thinking I’d softened, Cassandra answered quickly. “Citadel Hospital. Inpatient wing,
second floor, Room 208.”
I hung up without another word.
Then, I went to my blocked contacts and unblocked Anita.
[Deke’s in the hospital. Sending you the location. Whatever happens between you two is none of my business. Wishing you both happiness.]
She replied almost instantly.
[He’s dead meat!]
I drove to the hospital.
Surprisingly, I got there before Anita.
As I turned the corner, I spotted Deke up ahead, leaning on Cassandra for support.
Her voice was sharp, full of warning. “You didn’t tell Anita how much we’re getting, did you? No matter how much you like her, she’s still an outsider. Do not tell her! The fact that I’m even willing to accept that bastard child of hers is already my limit.”
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Chapter 8
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Deke, head wrapped, in thick bandages, rubbed his temple and sighed. “Relax, Mom. Anita’s already pissed at me. Once we get the money, I’ll take my time sweet–talking her. No rush.”
Just as I thought.
Deke and Cassandra had been keeping Anita in the dark about their real plan.
So to Anita, Deke had simply abandoned her to marry me.
No wonder she’d bashed his head in.
D
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