Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

Il what Melody was saying was true, and she had evidence, then I might as well be trying to prove my innocence in a court of Salem witches.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. You’re sounding completely bonkers, and for the record, I don’t even know you.” Of course, there was no way I could fess up to any of this.

With a whole squad of cops around, I wouldn’t put it past them to have Melody’s hospital room

bugged.

“You’re in cahoots with the murderer; you’re his accomplice.” Melody suddenly cracked a smile. “Ah, now it makes sense. You’re his wife.”

I shot Melody a warning look, “Careful with your words or I’ll slap you with a defamation lawsuit.”

“Defamation?” She whipped out her phone and flashed her inbox at me. “These are all messages I forwarded to you. Want to check them? The cops will have a field day figuring out if you’re the recipient, won’t they?”

As I moved to grab Melody’s phone, the door burst open.

Robin and Stella marched in with a few officers, their gazes upon me a tangled web of emotions.

Disappointment, scrutiny, and a chilling detachment.

“She’s lying! I don’t know what she’s talking about. She’s trying to smear my name!” I tried to defend myself.

“We’ll see about that once we verify the recipient of those emails,” Robin said, giving Cory a nod. “Take her in.”

“You can’t do this without evidence,” I protested, instinctively stepping back as panic began to

set in.

If Foebe was indeed behind this, then how on earth could I clear my name?

I suddenly felt the weight of bad luck. Why did I have to end up in Foebe’s life? Couldn’t I have been reborn as someone completely unrelated? Her life was a Pandora’s box of secrets.

“Why are you pretending to be Phoebe?” Dexter had appeared at the doorway, his expression even more complex than Robin and Stella’s.

It was a mix of cold disdain and simmering anger as if he was furious that I’d played him for a fool.

“What?” I was nearly laughing. “Pretend to be Phoebe? When did I ever do that?”

He was the one who hell–bent on seeing me as Phoebe and calling me by the name.

10:53

Disgusting.

“No matter how well you play the part, you’re not her. You’ll never be her!” Dexter spat out the words, his voice laced with uncontrolled fury.

“Dexter, maybe you should take a long look in the mirror and see who’s really disgusting.” retorted, turning to face Melody.

A flicker of triumph passed through her eyes, and in that instant, my heart settled back down.

As long as she was framing me, I wasn’t afraid.

What terrified me was that Foebe had actually done these things.

“I’m pregnant, and I have the right to contact my lawyer,” I turned to Robin and demanded to call my attorney.

“No need, your husband has been notified,” Robin responded, his tone grave. Clearly, he didn’t trust me anymore.

“You believe her fairy tales before you even confirm the email account is mine? If this woman ever spoke the truth, Phoebe wouldn’t be dead,” I stared Melody angrily.

Melody still wore that pitiful look, “I had no choice because you forced my hand.”

I scoffed, looking back at Robin and Stella. “You’re buying her story?” I asked.

Neither Robin nor Stella spoke up, but their silence was answer enough. Têxt belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.

As for Dexter, he was clearly already convinced of my guilt.

Suddenly, I felt a profound sadness and helplessness. It seemed that everyone was willing to believe only what they saw before them.

+

“Phoebe.” Just as I resigned myself to follow Robin, a hoarse voice tinged with urgency called

out.

I paused, turning to see Caleb rushing down the corridor towards me. He had come.

Would he, like the others, be convinced that I was a fraud?