My Husband Chose His Ex I Became His Regret novel Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Chapter 68

Aidan

My stomach drops. “What kind of incident?”

“I’d rather discuss it in person. Can you come now?”

I look at Lila. Her face has gone pale. She heard.

“We’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

I hang up. Stare at the phone.

“What happened?” Lila asks. “Aidan, what happened to Mark?”

“I don’t know. But we need to go to the police station. Now.”

“Is he…” She can’t finish the sentence.

“I don’t know. They wouldn’t say on the phone.”

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We grab our things. Head for the elevator. The ride down is silent. My mind racing through possibilities.

Arrest? Mark was already facing charges. Why would the police need us?

Accident? Did something happen? Is he hurt?

Or worse….

No. Don’t think that. Don’t assume.

The car is waiting. We climb in. Lila’s hand finds mine. Trembling slightly.

“Whatever it is,” I say. “We handle it together.”

“Together,” she echoes. But her voice is shaking.

The drive to the police station takes fifteen minutes. Longest fifteen minutes of my life. Lila is silent, staring out the window. I’m running scenarios. None of them good.

We’re escorted to a conference room. Detective Carine is there, middle-aged, professional, expression carefully neutral.

“Thank you for coming so quickly.” She gestures to chairs. “Please, sit.”

We sit. I don’t let go of Lila’s hand.

“What happened?” I ask. “Is Mark…”

10:21 Wed, May 13 N

Chapter 68

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“Mark Knight is alive. But there’s been a situation.” Detective Carine opens a folder. “This morning, Mr. Knight was admitted to Presbyterian Hospital. Apparent suicide attempt. Overdose of sleeping pills combined with

alcohol.”

Lila makes a small sound. Her hand tightens on mine.

“Is he…” I start.

“He’s stable. They pumped his stomach. He’ll survive. Physically.” She pauses. “But there are complications.”

“What complications?”

“Before taking the pills, Mr. Knight sent several emails and text messages. Including some to you, Ms. Stark. We need to ask you about them.”

Lila pulls out her phone with shaking hands. Opens her messages.

Goes white.

“Lila?” I lean over. Look at her screen.

The messages are from Mark. Time-stamped this morning. 4:47 AM.

I’m sorry. For everything. You deserved better. You deserved everything. I destroyed you and I destroyed myself and now there’s nothing left.

Tell Storm he won. Tell him I hope it was worth it. I hope destroying me made him happy. I hope…

I can’t do this anymore. I can’t live with what I’ve become. What I did to you. What I…

I’m sorry, Lila. I’m so sorry. For all of it.

The last message is just: Goodbye.

Lila is shaking. Full body trembling.

“Ms. Stark,” Detective Carine says gently. “Did you receive these messages?”

“I… my phone was off. I was in a board meeting. I didn’t…” Her voice breaks. “I didn’t see them until now.”

“That’s not your fault, the detective says firmly. “Nothing about this is your fault. I want to be very clear about that. Mr. Knight made a choice. His mental health, his actions, those are not your responsibility.”

But Lila isn’t listening. She’s staring at the messages. Tears streaming down her face.

“He tried to kill himself,” she whispers. “Because of me. Because I…”

“No.” I turn her to face me. “No. Listen to me. This is not because of you. This is because Mark is facing consequences for crimes he committed. For choices he made. You didn’t make him embezzle money. You didn’t make him threaten you or stalk you or abuse you. He did those things. And now he’s facing justice. His response to that justice is not your fault.”

10:21 Wed, May 13 N

Chapter 68

“But…”

“No buts. Mark Knight is responsible for Mark Knight’s actions. All of them. Including this.”

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Detective Carine nods. “Mr. Storm is correct. Ms. Stark, in my fifteen years on the force, I’ve seen many cases like this. Abusers often try to manipulate their victims even after the relationship ends. Suicide attempts, threats of suicide are a form of manipulation. Making you feel responsible. Making you feel guilty. It’s a pattern.”

“But he actually did it,” Lila says. “This isn’t just a threat. He actually tried to-”

“And that’s tragic. But it’s still not your fault. Mr. Knight is mentally ill. He needs help. That’s not the same as you causing this.”

My phone buzzes. Text from Marcus: News is reporting Mark’s suicide attempt. Press is going crazy. What do you want me to do?

Of course. Of course the press already knows.

“The media has the story,” I tell Detective Carine. “We’ll need to make a statement.”

“We’ve already prepared one,” she says. “But you may want to issue your own through your company. Something expressing concern for Mr. Knight’s wellbeing while maintaining appropriate boundaries.”

“I’ll handle it.” I look at Lila. “We should go. Get you somewhere quiet. Away from…”

“I want to see him,” Lila says suddenly.

Everyone stops. Stares at her.

“What?” I asked dumbfounded.

“I want to see Mark. Talk to him. I need to…” She stops. Takes a breath. “I need to see him.”

“Lila, that’s not a good idea…”

“I know. But I need to. I need to look him in the eye and tell him…” She stops. “I don’t know what I need to tell him. But I need to see him. One last time.”

Detective Carine looks uncertain. “Ms. Stark, Mr. Knight is under psychiatric evaluation. He’s not allowed visitors except immediate family.”

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