Reborn From Oblivion

Crime Motive?

Those words knocked Cameron for a loop right away. He and Greta, like they were performing a well-rehearsed act, took turns explaining to the officer, "Officer, we've got some pretty deep-seated grudges with Ms. Nathalie from way back." Cameron laid out the tangled past they shared with her.

The officer's eyes widened in disbelief, "So, you're telling me Ms. Nathalie once donated her kidney to Miss Greta?"

Cameron nodded.

"Was it voluntary?"

"Yes."

"Then why does she hate you? Why would she want revenge?"

Cameron had no words.

Greta jumped in, "No, it's because she hates me for stealing Cameron away from her."

The officer, keeping a stern face, said, "So, Nathalie gave you her kidney, and in return, you took her man? That's why she hates you?" Greta fell silent.

Cameron's expression turned defeated. He finally realized that anyone would view what he did to Nathalie as downright wrong. Nathalie couldn't help but smirk.

The officer turned to Nathalie, "Do you hate her?"

Nathalie, full of righteous indignation, replied, "If you got tricked out of a marriage and a kidney, wouldn't you hate them?"

The officer looked at Nathalie with sympathy, "So, their accusation linking you to this kidnapping doesn't seem entirely baseless?"

Nathalie scoffed, "I've already lost too much to these two lowlifes. I can't waste any more of my energy on them. This kidnapping has nothing to do with me." Greta exploded, "Do you swear you had nothing to do with it?"

Nathalie declared, "I swear, if I ever spend even the tiniest bit of effort on you two ungrateful assholes again, may lightning strike me down."

Her words hit Cameron like a ton of

bricks. He was stunned, watching

Nathalie as the light in his eyes dimmed He once found her persistence annoying, seeing her as petty and unreasonable. Now that she'd let go, he felt a hollow emptiness, as if the world had lost

all its vibrance.

Soon enough, the officer returned with evidence. They'd checked Nathalie's home surveillance and confirmed she didn't have the time to commit the crime.

"Ms. Nathalie, thank you for your cooperation. You're free to go."

Nathalie headed home.

After filing the report, the officer assured Greta, "We'll do everything we can to identify the kidnapper and get back to you pronto. For now, go home and wait for our updates." Cameron helped Greta out of the police station, and they headed home.

Greta wasn't her usual lively self. She lay on the bed like a ragdoll, silent. Cameron had never seen her so down and it hurt him more than he'd admit. She was the woman he'dnovelbin

protected for so long, after all

"Are you hungry?" Cameron asked, trying to bridge the gap between them.

Greta took the opening, "I'd like to take a shower."

"I'll run the bath for you."

Once the bath was ready, Greta struggled to get up, undressing right in front of Cameron before limping into the bathroom. Cameron saw the bruises and scars marking her body, some in delicate, hidden places, and his heart felt unbearably heavy.