4. They want me to give up

Reese's POV

Things happened too fast.

Elliot still had Jennifer Durham's unconscious body in his arms while he hurriedly called for an ambulance. My mother-in-law was screaming at me, accusing me of being a murderer.

"Isn't your husband enough? Now you wanted to kill poor Jennifer, you murderer?" She was screaming at me while crying in horror.

The household staff looked at me as if I were a monster. Elliot didn't even dare to look at me.

"But I didn't do anything! She threw herself down the stairs on her own," I said, trying to defend myself, feeling that if I didn't, no one else would.

"Sure, you didn't, did you, Reese?" Florence's sarcasm was heavy, directed at me. "First, my husband threw himself in front of that car to save you, and now this poor woman threw herself to certain death of her own free will. And you really expect us to believe that?"

"Florence, I know you've never liked me, but you have to believe me. I didn't do this; I'm innocent!" I said, crying. Likewise, I was so tired of this, of always being accused of things I hadn't done.

"Just shut up!" My mother-in-law shouted. "All this is your fault, Elliott. I told you not to marry her!"

Elliot, my husband, the man who had sworn at the altar to love and protect me, at this moment said nothing in my defense. He let his mother and everyone else say and think absurd things about me while I felt alone and helpless.

The paramedics came and took Jennifer Durham to the nearest hospital, but with them came the police too. "Mr. Goodwin. Is it true that it was your wife who pushed Ms. Durham down the stairs?" They asked my husband.

Elliot didn't even bother to look at me when he handed me over. "Yes, officer," he answered. "Reese pushed Jennifer with the intent to kill."

"No, Elliot. That's not true; I swear to God I barely touched that woman! Please, you have to believe me," I pleaded, on the brink of despair.

"Enough, Reese!" He bellowed. "It's time for you to pay for all your crimes. Please, officers. Take her away from here." He turned his face away from me.

There was bile in my throat as I saw my own husband not believing me and handing me over to the police without even blinking. "Come on, ma'am. The prison awaits you," the officer said, wanting to put handcuffs on my wrists.

But I dodged. "No. Please, wait... I can prove my innocence," I said, my voice bordering on desperation. I couldn't believe I was just being arrested for something I didn't commit.

At that moment, Elliott turned to me, the impassive expression on his face now giving way to doubt. "You can prove it? What are you talking about?" He asked, perhaps thinking I was crazy.

"Ignore her, Elliot," said Florence, looking at me with a stern face. "She doesn't know what she's doing; she's just babbling."

"But I really can prove it, Florence. I can prove my innocence," I repeated with more conviction now.

"What are you trying to say, ma'am?" The officer asked.

"I'm talking about the security cameras in the house," I said. "They're all over the place, and there's one there in the hallway." I pointed to the small security camera hanging from the ceiling. "All you have to do is check the video and see if I did what I'm being accused of." I looked at Elliot with conviction; my soul was clear, so I would defend myself to the end.

"Can we check the security cameras, Mr. Goodwin?" The officer asked for permission.

"Don't check anything!" Florence continued with her harsh words directed at me. "She's just trying to deceive you. Take her away once and for all and put her in prison, where she belongs!" It was clear my mother-in-law wanted me far away from that house and far from her son; she was truly my worst enemy.

But I turned to my husband. "What do you have to lose, Elliot? Just let them check the security cameras," I said, challenging him. He had accused me of killing his father, but unlike the accident that led to Samael Goodwin's death, I was certain I could get out of this unscathed. Unless he wanted to be unfair to me, he would have to give permission for the footage to be checked.

"Very well," he said. "Gentlemen, follow me to the mansion's security room." He turned and began to walk, leaving his mother completely frustrated. The police followed him, and so did I.

The security video on the monitor revealed the truth; they saw when I slapped Jennifer, saw when she grabbed the railing, and then threw herself down the stairs.

"With this video, we can really prove that Mrs. Goodwin did not push Ms. Durham," the officer said. "She cannot be arrested for this."

I couldn't deny I sighed in relief, as if a great apprehension had dissipated from me. When the police left, I spoke to my husband. "Elliot, I know you have doubts about me because of what happened in your father's accident, but believe me. I am not the person you think I am; we are just victims of all this misfortune." I needed him to start believing in me again because I knew that his reason for not believing me was what was driving him away from me the most.

He sighed, massaging his temples. "There's too much happening right now, Reese. I'm worried about Jennifer; actually, we can deal with this later and focus on what really matters, which is her recovery." He was putting on his coat and then left without looking back.

I swallowed hard. It hurt to know my husband was so concerned about his ex-girlfriend; not only that, I wanted to throw in his face the grotesque and merciless way he was quick to accuse me of attempting to take her life instead of believing my word first. That said a lot about our situation; he believed Jennifer and not me, and if it weren't for the security cameras, I would certainly be in prison now. Suddenly, I felt so powerless, a bitter taste in my mouth, as if the man I had married no longer belonged to me.

I stood there on the porch, watching him get into the car and drive off at top speed to take care of the other woman. "Why do you keep fighting?" It was my mother-in-law, who had approached me, always spewing venom like a poisonous snake. "Can't you see he doesn't want you anymore? Why don't you just give up and leave?"