Chapter 5

"What? Who's Teddy?"

Audrey had just signed the final paperwork for her transfer. Everett hadn't checked on her once in three days, yet today he'd suddenly stormed in to accuse her.

"Don't play dumb!"

Everett was a search-and-rescue captain, always calm and composed. This was the first time Audrey had ever seen him lose control.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his voice was hoarse.

"Brielle saw you carrying the baby away. When did you become this vicious? Whatever grudges adults have against each other, why drag a baby into it?"

He took a deep breath. "If you're jealous because Brielle is a mother now, I can give you a baby too. Tell me where Teddy is before this gets out of hand, and I won't press charges for kidnapping him."

Audrey stared at him in disbelief. "Do you really think I'm that horrible?"

Blinded by anger, Everett grabbed Audrey by the wrist and shoved her into the bathroom.

Cold water blasted from the shower, soaking Audrey while she was still recovering from her injuries and surgery.

The chill sank into her bones, making her teeth chatter.

"Maybe this will knock some sense into you," Everett said through clenched teeth. "Tell me where Teddy is!"

How was she supposed to defend herself against something she had never done?

Audrey broke into a racking cough.

"I told you. I don't know."

"Teddy was just born. He needs his mother. I can overlook you fighting Brielle for my attention, but how could you kidnap a newborn?"

Everett gripped Audrey's chin and forced her to look at him.

She choked on the water, and every cough jarred her injuries, sending sharp pain through her body.

"Why'd you stop talking? Got nothing to say for yourself?"

Everett forced her down against the cold tile and tore at her clothes.

"You're jealous because Brielle has a baby, aren't you? Fine. I'll give you one too!"

Realizing what he intended to do, Audrey struggled with all her strength.

She raised her hand and slapped him across the face.

A trace of blood appeared at the corner of his mouth, but he merely licked it away.

His expression hardened. The next moment, he forced himself on her. Pain stole her breath.

Audrey trembled, tears mixing with the water streaming down her face.

She stared numbly at the ceiling as it blurred and swayed above her.

"Everett, I hate you.

"Everett, I regret it."

She regretted ever falling in love with him, regretted giving him everything she had for seven years.

Everett pulled away and looked down at her coldly.

"Was that enough? If you're still not satisfied, I can do it again."

The door suddenly flew open. Brielle rushed in and dropped to her knees in front of Audrey.

"Ms. Vance, I was wrong. I shouldn't have taken Everett from you. You can have him back. Just give me my baby back. Please."

She had barely dropped to her knees when Everett rushed over and pulled her into his arms.

"You just gave birth. You need to rest, not kneel on the floor."

Brielle pushed him away and broke into anguished sobs.

"My baby... Ms. Vance, please give me my baby back."

Her sobs drew people from the hallway. One look at Audrey's disheveled clothes, and they immediately jumped to conclusions about what had just happened.

Their stares cut into Audrey like knives.

"What a shameless homewrecker! Is she crazy? She stole another woman's baby and seduced her husband too?"

"What a vicious woman! She should be arrested! Call the police! Yeah, call the police!"

Someone called the police while others raised their phones and filmed Audrey at her most humiliating moment.

At the mention of the police, a flash of panic crossed Brielle's eyes.

"Don't call the police," she stammered. "As long as Audrey gives my baby back, I won't press charges."

Everett looked at her with tender concern. "Brielle, you're too kind."

Brielle's tears erased the last trace of sympathy Everett still had for Audrey. He grabbed Audrey by the arm, dragged her to the busy hospital entrance, and forced her to her knees.

Her torn clothes were pulled askew as he dragged her, and she clutched the fabric tightly to keep herself covered.

Humiliation overwhelmed her, and she could no longer hold back her tears.

"Everett! Let go of me!"

Audrey struggled, but she couldn't break free.

"Stay on your knees. You can get up when you tell me where Teddy is," Everett said coldly.

He let go and looked down at her disheveled state.

People streamed in and out of the hospital, their curious stares fixed on Audrey.

She struggled to get back on her feet, but Everett planted his foot on her lower leg to stop her.

"Audrey, you still want me to find your parents' remains, don't you?"