Chapter 134
ASHAL
Maddi observes a few seconds of silence after I asked her the question.
"Maddi? Do I have your word?"
"No." She replies firmly, breaking my heart into tiny splinters. "No, Mr. Ashal. You have no right to ask that of me. My sister has been through a lot and a speedy divorce is just a scratch on the surface compared to what you owe her. You’re going to sign the divorce papers and set her free by weekend. If you do that, maybe I’ll try to forgive you for lying about Alfie’s death."
My body shudders with shock. "What?"
"I don’t want to ask the questions in my head. I don’t want to know how or why you did it because then I won’t be able to think of you as just a man, Mr. Ashal. Alfie’s brother knows your family bribed the officers to cover up Alfie’s death as a drug overdose despite the bruises on his face. He was warned by his superior to stop looking into the case and mourn quietly because your family wants it closed" Her voice trembles now. "You already admitted to seeing us in front of the dorm that day and I can’t think of anyone else who would have a bone to pick with Alfie."
"Maddi..."
"Please, no more lies." She cried. "Your family wouldn’t cover up the case if you weren’t guilty. You must have lost control again." She sniffles. "Give my sister that divorce and I’ll try not to hate you for what you did to Alfie. Do I have your word, Mr. Ashal?"
There’s no point in denying anything now.
"Yes."
She hangs up before I can get another word in. When I try to call her back, her phone’s turned off. I slam both hands on my steering wheel and growl loudly in my car. Why now? I thought I could coax her to give us a chance. Why does my condition always find a way to fuck up my happiness?