Chapter 3

When Amelia's husband was released from police custody, Shane only grew more uneasy.

Over the past few days, Shane had been distracted at work. He kept his phone in his hand, checking it every few minutes.

At night, he left his phone on the bedside table. The screen lit up and went dark every now and then, and it kept buzzing nonstop.

I rolled over, turning my back on him. "Shane, why didn't you put your phone on silent today?"

All these years, Shane always set his phone to silent before going to bed because being disturbed gave him headaches. He would even complain when my alarm went off.

Shane stayed silent for a few moments before saying, "I know it's noisy, but I can't put it on silent.

"That guy could go after Amelia at any time. If she calls, I'm afraid I'll miss it.

I turned over to look at Shane. "So, you're never going to put your phone on silent again?"

Shane merely said, "Let's talk about this once this is settled."

I finally couldn't take it anymore. "And what exactly does that mean? When Amelia gets a divorce? When she remarries? Or when her husband drops dead?"

Shane stared at me in disbelief. "Rachel Towne, can't you show a little compassion? That jerk is threatening Amelia every day, and she could be in danger at any moment.

"You want me to just leave her be at a time like this? If I put my phone on silent and miss her call, then what?"

I raised my voice too. "Can't she call 911? What about all those years before you reconnected? How did she manage to get on with life without you?

"Does it really have to be you? Amelia has family and friends. Why does it have to be you?"

Shane suddenly threw off the blankets and got out of bed, as though trying to put distance between us.

"Rachel, since when did you become this cruel? When I met you seven years ago, you'd even feel bad for a stray cat on the roadside. How did you end up like this?"

I was about to retort when Shane's phone rang. He immediately lunged for it and answered the call. "Amelia? What's wrong?"

Amelia's sobs came through the phone. "Shane… I don't dare go home. I didn't even bring any money with me.

"I don't know where else I can go. I don't know why, but I somehow ended up downstairs at your place. Could… Could I stay at your place for a while?"

Shane agreed without even thinking. "Of course. I'll come down and get you."

After he ended the call, I clung to him while he was getting dressed. "There's a hotel nearby. I'd be happy to pay for her room, but I don't want her staying in our home."

Shane looked up at me. "It's not safe at the hotel. What if her husband finds her there? The front desk can't hold him back.

"What if something happens? Who's going to take responsibility? Besides, Amelia needs someone with her in her current state.

"Staying with us is the safest option for her. With me around, she'll feel at ease."

As I listened to Shane speak so matter-of-factly about wanting to make another woman feel safe, I finally broke down.

"You're okay with having her here, but I'm not! Shane, I'm a woman too!"

Shane completely ignored how much it hurt me. His voice was cold. "I've already made up my mind. Stay out of this."

He grabbed his coat and headed for the door.

I called out to Shane with tears streaming down my face, "Shane, if you bring her into our home, I'll call off our engagement."

Shane froze for a moment before slowly turning to face me. We stood in silence, staring each other down for more than ten seconds.

Finally, Shane took a deep breath. "Rachel, you're the kindest person I know. You wouldn't just leave her to fend for herself."

With that, he picked up his keys from the table, turned, and walked out the door, leaving me alone in the suffocating silence and darkness.

A moment later, I wiped away my tears and called my real estate agent.

The agent sounded cheerful. "Rachel, is there something wrong with the house? I remember you bought it for you and your fiance to live in. Is your wedding coming up soon?"

I let out a bitter laugh. "There's nothing wrong with the house, but please help me put it on the market as soon as possible."

I refused to share the man I loved with another woman in my own home. At that point, I finally made up my mind. Tears were streaming down my face.

I didn't want the house or Shane anymore.