002

Caruso's POV

This was a huge mess.

How did Blue get mixed up in something like this?

When the chef came running in earlier, I had just arrived at the lobby of the hotel after confirming Blue’s whereabouts from Becca, her best friend; I had just returned from a business trip when the caretaker informed me that they had been unable to get hold of Blue since the previous night.

The chef kept rambling but the moment I got the message he was trying to pass, I rushed to the scene.

Archer was stone dead, next to him was my wife who was trembling and covered in blood.

Blue was a gentle soul, I can attest to that without batting an eyelid.

I can't imagine her hurting a fly; talk less of killing a grown human who was triple her size.

Cleaning her up was the first thought that came to mind but I could barely perform this before the reporters swarmed in.

It wasn’t up to half an hour when the chef learnt of the situation but there were reporters on ground to take coverage.

Grabbing the duvet, I quickly tossed it over Archer, and in a jiffy, I made my way back to Blue’s side.

Seething with frustration due to my inability to protect Blue, I pushed Becca away from her.

“You shouldn't be doing this to your best friend." I said through my teeth.

“What about your best friend? She killed your best friend but you aren't even bothered about that.” Becca yelled, while Blue sobbed.

"I’m ashamed to say it but Blue had been having an affair with Archer. I bet things were about to go wry so she resorted to killing him to hide her tracks.” She spoke without a hint of emotion in her tone.

Just when I was about to lash out at her, someone announced the presence of my father.

Ignoring every other person in the room, he walked up to me only to pull Blue up roughly, sending a hard slap across her face.

“Father," I yelled, trying to fix myself between him and Blue but he shoved me aside.

The next time he lifted his hand above his head, I held it.

“I won't watch you assault my wife." I snarled, my eyes reddened in anger.

“Your wife?" He sneered, staring disgustedly at Blue who was sprawled on the floor.

“This murderer is no daughter in law of mine." He spat out.

"Everybody get out, I want to speak to my son.” He yelled, tilting his head slightly.

Within a few seconds, I was left with my father, Blue, Becca and two of his men who were standing behind the door to stop anyone from getting in.

“I told you that this lowlife is going to soil our name someday but you didn't believe it. Now see the mess she had created, the family name has been soiled." He yelled, glaring murderously at Blue who was sobbing nonstop.

Pushing my hand into my hair, I let out a low wince.

“Instead of jumping into conclusion, we should hear what she has to say, don’t you think so?" I asked Becca, hoping for her support.

With a distressful voice, she stamped her feet against the floor, “Isn't it crystal clear?" She huffed.

"I told you a while ago that your so-called wife is having an affair with your best friend.” She added heat to the already tense atmosphere.

"Lowlifes don't change their spots just like the leopard.” Father spat, lunging towards Blue but I stepped in just in time to shield her.

Though I was seething, I managed to speak in a calm voice, “This is a set up."

The room went silent.

Taking this as a golden opportunity, I tried to make father see the situation in the same light I was viewing it from.

The reporter's sudden invasion was suspicious so I kept hammering on this, while urging Becca to clear the air but she was mute.

“Why are you acting like this is the first time reporters have found their way into your hotel?" Father snapped at me, causing my heart to fall into my stomach with a plop.

No matter how much I tried, he wasn't going to hear me out; thanks to the burning hatred he had for Blue.

Becca on the other had kept proving difficult that I had no choice but to doubt her claim of being Blue's best friend.

The moment father snapped his fingers, one of his men walked up to him with a file.

“Here," He passed a ballpoint pen to father who in turn passed both items to me.

Flipping the file open, I was greeted with the shock of my life.

It was a divorce agreement.

“Sign it." He spoke in a commanding tone. “Moreover, she is going to spend the rest of her life in prison.”

"I can't… Blue is innocent, I'm certain." I cried, my heart shredding into pieces.

“Don't be a fool and sign the divorce agreement." He yelled at me.

Tossing the file aside, I crouched next to Blue.

Grabbing her shoulders and peering into her eyes which were swollen and reddened, I murmured, “Tell them you didn't kill him."

When she wouldn't speak, I tried all the techniques I could think of to force words from her mouth but she remained mute.

“There is no point denying.” Father broke the silence in the room.

"CCTV, we should look into it.” I suggested a glint of hope in my eyes, facepalming myself at the same time for not thinking about it earlier.

Reluctantly, father accepted my request.

From the corner of my eyes, I watched as Blue trembled in fright; this made my heart skip multiple beats.

Is she guilty of the accusation? – I thought, shoving the thought aside almost immediately.

Ten minutes later, the wait for the footage came to an end only for us to be informed that the systems crashed all of a sudden.

“You see the point I’m trying to make, huh?" I yelled. “She was framed; we should find the perpetrator and deal with him accordingly."

Father was adamant but I was determined to make sure he accepted my claim.

“I killed him." Blue said and at that moment, the world stopped spinning.

“Finally, the wench admitted." Becca snarled.

"Call in the police.” It was my father's words that brought me back to consciousness.

The police came in but I didn't let them get close to Blue.

Shielding her, I kept screaming and pleading her innocence but no one listened to my cries.

Pinned against the wall by father's men, I watched as the policeman took Blue away.