Semua Bab DIVORCED MORNING AND REMARRIED TO HIS BROTHER BY NIGHT: Bab 131 - Bab 140

MONIQUEAnd more than that, I managed to give the police just the smallest glimpse of what our marriage really is. That it’s not perfect. That there’s more to it than he would ever want them to know.So whatever happens in the future, I’ll have something to fall back on.I walked straight outside and found Ryan standing by his car. He looked mad, angry, on fire. Well, that serves him right.I walked towards him, not caring about whatever situation he was going through, however mad he was. The minute he saw me, he opened the door for me. I slid inside, and he slammed it shut, so hard it echoed but I didn’t really care. He was just throwing a tantrum.I fastened my seatbelt while he walked around to his side, pulled open the door, and dropped into the seat. Just like that, the driver started the car, and we were driving home again.The car was quiet. The lawyer wasn’t with us anymore, so that left just the two of us at the back and Ryan’s silence. Halfway down the road, I sat staring ou

MONIQUEThe ride back to the police station was a haze. My mind was still a blur, caught between fear and numbness, when suddenly the car door flew open, aggressively, if I might add. The jolt startled me so much that for a moment, I froze, unable to comprehend what had just happened.How could someone open a moving car?Heart hammering, I whipped my head around, ready to scream. I was certain it was a man climbing in, his shadow cutting into the dim interior. Panic welled up inside me, and the sound caught in my throat.Was it Ryan? It could only be him.Somehow, impossibly, he had driven after us. Had he forced the taxi to stop? Had he blocked the road? I didn’t know. All I knew was the sudden, horrifying reality of him being right there, halfway into the car.I was about to scream at the driver, to beg him to do something, when I noticed we weren’t moving anymore. The taxi was parked. We were right in front of the police station. I hadn’t even realized we’d arrived or when he had p

MONIQUE“A promise?”“This can’t happen again, Monique. You know this is just the beginning. For God's sake.... the day we met, you had Marks in your arms, fingerprinted arms, because he held you just a bit too tightly. And now he’s hit your face. What’s next?" He took a breath, looking at me" It’s going to get worse. Don’t let it get worse. Please, if he ever even raises his hand, even threatens that he might put his hands on you, I want you to promise me that you will leave, that you won’t give him another opportunity to try and do this to you again. Please, Monique. That’s the only thing I need you to promise me right now.”I stared at him as his words fell heavy between us. He was looking at me like I was already broken, like I was one more bruise away from shattering completely. His desperation, his fear for me, should have been enough to make me fold into his arms and let him carry the weight. And God, a part of me wanted that. I wanted to fall into him, let his warmth swallow

MONIQUE“Okay,” he said. His voice dropped low, almost like a confession. “I tried to force myself not to do it, not to kiss you, but I just couldn’t.”He smiled, and I couldn’t help but giggle. My chest warmed, but then his tone shifted, grounding me again.“But it’s time for you to get out there and report this bastard.”“Okay, I will,” I responded.I didn’t know why, or where that reckless thought even came from, but in that moment.... I nearly told him I loved him. My lips had almost parted to say it. But did I?I shook my head quickly, pushing it back down. No. I couldn’t think about that right now. Not here. Not when everything was still so fragile.Instead, I leaned in and gave him a soft peck before I opened the door, slipped out, and started walking toward the police station. I could feel his eyes on me, watching from inside the car, and it made me feel a little naughty. But also… powerful. Like I wasn’t alone anymore. Like I had someone at my back, someone in my corner.Onc

MONIQUEMr. Perez straightened, his polite smile faltering as he glanced between us. “Of course, Mrs. Bennett...” he caught himself, “...Monique.”Mrs. Bennett’s lips tightened. She didn’t like that he was giving me the floor, didn’t like that her grip on the situation was slipping. Ryan shifted uncomfortably, his jaw working as though he wanted to jump back in but didn’t dare.“Yes,” I said firmly. “I want to talk to you. Alone, if possible.”“You don’t need to trouble the officer,” Mrs. Bennett interjected quickly, her tone syrupy but trembling beneath. “We can handle this privately. This is a family matter....”I turned to her, my voice low but sharp enough to slice. “No. This isn’t just a family matter anymore.”Her eyes widened in outrage, but before she could speak, Perez lifted a hand. “If Mrs. Monique wishes to speak, I will listen. That is my job.”A current of relief swept through me. For once, someone wasn’t bending to the Bennetts.Ryan finally broke, stepping forward. “