Chapter 1

My ex-husband, Tobias Clark, had taken time off from the department to be there for his new wife, Celeste White, as she gave birth. That's when the detectives rang him. The moment he heard that both Celeste and the baby were fine, tears streamed down his face.

He'd cried just like that when he'd first learned I was pregnant, calling them tears of joy and promising to treasure me for the rest of his life.

Just then, my gaze landed on Tobias' finger. He and Celeste had already replaced their old rings with a new set.

When they couldn't reach Tobias by phone, the detectives went straight to Celeste's hospital room.

Tobias had just soothed the baby to sleep. As soon as he saw the detectives, irritation flickered across his face.

"Captain Thompson, I've been working nonstop for three years, and my wife just had a baby. Whatever it is, it can wait until I'm back on duty," he said coldly.

Jimmy Thompson, Tobias' captain, knew better than to mess with his personal life. He gave Tobias an uneasy smile before lowering his voice.

"Tobias, Glenn Harris claimed the only reason he kept slipping through your fingers for three years was that your wife had been helping him…"

As he spoke, Jimmy glanced at Celeste, careful not to make it obvious. "He claimed Celeste was his accomplice. Since she just gave birth, we've held off on pursuing the allegation.

"But we need the two of you to face him. And he said that his first victim was… your ex-wife."

Moments ago, Tobias had been utterly dismissive. Now, he frowned, his whole body going rigid.

He then grabbed his badge and made to leave. He was levelheaded, but fiercely protective of the ones he loved.

Once, another teacher had taken my place in a school art competition. When Tobias heard about it, he took his team straight to the principal's office.

But now, he was probably anxious because Glenn had accused Celeste.

When Celeste heard Jimmy mention Glenn's name, unease flickered across her face.

"Tobias, what did Captain Thompson want?" she asked tentatively.

Only then did Tobias turn his attention back to Celeste. He kissed her forehead and reassured her, "It's nothing serious. Just rest and take care of yourself. I'll be back soon."

With that, he raced to the station and stormed into the interrogation room.

Before Glenn could get a word out, Tobias grabbed him by the collar.

"You slipped through my fingers for three years. I'll take the blame for that. But now that you've finally been caught, you have the nerve to frame an innocent woman?"

His voice was sharp with anger, but it wasn't just because of the accusation against Celeste. Glenn had brutally murdered 17 people.

Glenn took in Tobias' fury and broke into a twisted grin. He knocked Tobias' hand aside, the handcuffs on his wrists clattering as he moved.

"You'll take the blame for that? Detective Clark, are you seriously telling me you've never suspected your own wife? If she hadn't tipped me off, how else do you think I managed to stay one step ahead of you for three whole years?"

Tobias' anger finally got the better of him, and he raised his fist. Yet, the blow Glenn expected never came.

When he opened his eyes, Tobias had calmed down.

Tobias scoffed, then spoke slowly. "You're saying Celeste was your accomplice in the first murder? Adeline put you up to this, didn't she?

"She's jealous that I'm happy now and that I've got a child. She regrets divorcing me, so she's using you to frame Celeste?"

Tobias' expression hardened when the thought of me leaving him three years ago crossed his mind. His voice turned icy as he asked, "How much did she pay you?"

I went still, suspended in the air. A thousand tiny stabs of pain seemed to gnaw at my heart.

I opened my mouth to explain, only to realize he couldn't hear me. A faint smile tugged at my lips. Once again, I'd forgotten I was dead.

At Tobias' words, Glenn burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that tears welled up in his eyes.

"What's so funny?" Tobias snapped.

Glenn managed to stifle his laughter.

"I'm laughing because I'm telling you the truth, yet you think Ms. Parker is accusing Celeste," he said with a grin. "I'm laughing because she's dead, and you're married to her killer's accomplice. You've even had a child together."