When the Flood Took More than Life의 모든 챕터: 챕터 11 - 챕터 17

Reuben turned to the next page of the journal."April 5, 1981. Overcast and rainy. Reuben's leg has been acting up for days. It's an old injury from capturing a suspect. It hurts me to watch him suffer. Mrs. Bennett from next door gave me a recipe for a bone broth to help heal his joints. He loved it and wrapped me in his arms to kiss me. I felt so happy.""September 3, 1981. He took the day off to celebrate my birthday with me, but his colleagues called him away again. It's fine. His duty comes first. I baked a cake and saved him a piece. I hope we can spend more birthdays together.""March 2, 1982. I learned how to change a lightbulb today, but I got shocked. My fingers turned black. It was so painful.""May 20, 1983. I slipped and fainted while hauling coal today. Someone rushed me to the hospital, and the doctor said I miscarried. I was two months pregnant. I cried for hours and decided not to tell Reuben. I didn't want him to carry this grief, too. I'm sorry, baby. I failed to

Reuben marched Emma into the station under the staring eyes of the entire office.Inside the chief's office, he laid out every single crime Emma had committed.The police chief, Stephen Potter, looked at them, his expression dark as thunder."Reuben!" he barked. "Did you forget how fiercely you insisted on protecting Emma just a few days ago?"Reuben stood in silence, his eyes heavy with remorse. "It's my fault. I was blind. I thought Emma was just young and incompetent. I had no idea she was malicious enough to hurt people on purpose!"Chief Potter, it's my mistake, and I'll accept whatever punishment comes my way. But Emma needs to pay for what she did. She needs to be sent to prison."A glint of venom flashed in Emma's eyes. "Chief Potter, I want to report Reuben! He used his position to get close to me and took advantage of me all while he was married! He's an adulterer, and he belongs in a cell!"Stephen looked between the two of them. "In that case, both of you are suspend

Reuben's voice was frantic. "Phoebe, I need to apologize to you! Actually, Emma was supposed to be the bait."I took her to buy that red dress at the department store for that very reason. But after a few rehearsals, she was too nervous, and her acting was way too obvious. That's why we swapped you in at the last minute."I know I messed up. I shouldn't have kept you in the dark, but I was terrified you'd freeze up if you knew beforehand. "And I know the truth about Emma now. She did those things on purpose during the flood and the abduction, and she burned those case files. It was all a frame-up against you. I was an idiot not to trust you…"Reuben's eyes reddened. "Phoebe, I shouldn't have doubted you, let alone punished you. I'm sorry. I really am. I blew it so badly…"I've already reported her to the department. She's been fired and sent to prison. Phoebe, there was never anything between us. You have to believe me."He looked at her, his eyes desperate with hope. "Come back

Phoebe went silent for a beat before offering a strained smile. "I'm fine."She turned and stepped out to fetch the medical staff to check on Reuben.Over the next few days, she remained by his bedside, taking care of him, though she rarely spoke.Most of the time, she sat quietly, staring out the window or reading a book.Reuben, on the other hand, spent every waking moment watching her.He could feel the towering wall built up between them. Although they shared the same room, they existed in two entirely different worlds.His mind drifted back to the old days.As a police officer, getting hurt was second nature to him. Yet no matter how minor the injury, Phoebe would hover over him in a panic, fussing and checking on every little scratch.Once, a suspect stabbed him multiple times. By the time he reached the hospital, he was covered in blood. Phoebe had clutched his hand, sobbing until she nearly passed out.Throughout that hospital stay, she stayed awake day and night. If h