Chapter 17
“I have more pressing matters to attend to,” Duncan said as he strode out, his steps resolute, as if nothing could deter him.
Heather, the proud Leverton heiress, knew all too well the consequences of Duncan’s departure. If he walked out now, she’d become the laughingstock of the city’s elite, and worse, the entire Leverton family would be fodder for gossip columns.
Desperately, Heather clung to Duncan’s arm as whispers from the families were approaching, adding to the chaos.
guests filled the air. The patriarchs of both
Josh, watching Duncan leave without hesitation, let out a biter laugh before heading for the door himself. He had to find Audrey. Whatever happened to these people was none of his concern.
But after a few steps, he heard footsteps behind him. Duncan had indeed followed. Audrey still mattered to him, though it was too late for that now.
Audrey was already gone.
Even so, if Duncan wanted to search, Josh wouldn’t stop him. One more person meant one more chance. He had never sought to possess Audrey. Whatever she decided, he would always support her unconditionally. All wanted was for her to live well and to be happier than anyone.
Josh and Duncan arrived at the Millington estate, the last place Duncan had seen Audrey.
But when they entered, they were greeted by a horrifying sight–a large, glaring pool of blood on the marble floor. Audrey was nowhere to be found.
Images flashed through Duncan’s mind like a broken movie reel. When he had left earlier, there was no blood. How had this happened?
Why was there blood now?
Why had she bled?
The more Duncan thought about it, the more unsettled he became. Audrey had always been strong, stubborn even. She wasn’t the type to give up easily or to die without a fight. But the blood on the floor was undeniable–Audrey was in danger.
Duncan felt a tightness in his chest, like something was lodged there. He yanked at his tie, ripping it off in frustration
“Is it true? She really can’t see?” Duncan asked Josh, but before he could finish, Josh’s fist connected with his jaw.
“You don’t deserve her love, Duncan! You never did!” Josh’s eyes were bloodshot, filled with rage. Audrey’s organs had been failing, but she shouldn’t have lost that much blood. It had to be Duncan–he must have done something
to her.
Wiping the blood from his split lip, Duncan immediately swung back. “And you think you deserve her? Running off with my woman–don’t think I’ve forgotten that!”
Duncan’s punch was strong, splitting Josh’s lip, but before Josh could retaliate, his eyes caught something- blood on the wall. A closer look revealed handprints smeared in blood.
She had left.
Josh followed the trail of bloodied handprints, and Duncan, seeing them too, followed close behind.
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Chapter 17
Audrey had left on her own. The handprints were undeniable proof.
“She can’t be far. Her eyes… she can’t see; she couldn’t have gone far,” Josh repeated, his voice tight with worry. A sense of dread washed over Duncan. Maybe Josh was right–maybe Audrey really was blind and really sick.
But if that were true, what had he done?
For a moment, Duncan found himself wishing this was all alle, that Josh was deceiving him. He hoped Audrey wasn’t sick, that she wasn’t blind, that all of this was just some elaborate ruse.
Josh and Duncan followed the trail of blood until it abruptly disappeared at the bus stop.
Duncan’s head pounded as frustration overwhelmed him. He yelled at the top of his lungs, “Audrey! Come out! You hear me? I never told you to leave! You’re not allowed to leave! Do you hear me, Audrey? Get out here, now!”
Chapter 15
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Chapter 18
