The Invisible Wife Turned Savage novel Chapter 187

Chapter 187 Shadows That Linger

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Madam Rosemary grew more uneasy the longer she thought about it.

Richie believed she was overthinking, but he still did as he was told and began investigating.

When Estella woke, she learned the police officer was waiting outside. Summoning her strength, she gave her statement.

Jonathan waited quietly in the hall until she finished before stepping in.

Still raw and shaken, Estella couldn’t bear to meet his eyes. “Mr. Bennett, could you see Officer Corbin out for me? And… you’re busy. Please just arrange a nurse to take care of me these next few days.”

Jonathan’s gaze lingered on her pale face. A hundred things pressed on his tongue, but in the end, he swallowed them down.

“All right.”

He walked out with Corbin.

“Don’t be discouraged,” Corbin said, trying to comfort him. “A girl who’s been through something like this will feel crushed inside. But I think she likes you too. It’s just… knowing you’ve seen her at her lowest, she can’t get past that.”

Jonathan’s fist tightened, then slowly loosened, his voice low and weary. “She should know I don’t care about that.”

Corbin clapped him on the shoulder. “Give her time. Ms. Hayes looks strong. She’ll find her way through.”

Jonathan gave a small nod.

He called Lana, asking her to come stay with Estella, and hired a female nurse for round–the- clock care.

Lana arrived without delay.

The moment Estella saw her, the tears she had fought to hold back broke free.

Lana wrapped her in a hug, saying nothing. She didn’t need to. As a woman, she understood the helplessness and despair Estella must have felt.

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Chapter 187 Shadows That Linger

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She stayed by Estella’s side for several days, until Estella began to claw her way back from the

darkness.

Bit by bit, Estella steadied herself, regaining the cool rationality she needed. This was no time to fall apart.

Nathaniel had to be punished. And the fifty–million debt still loomed.

She couldn’t let her mother carry that crushing burden.

She confided everything to Lana, hoping for legal advice.

Lana was stunned. “Fifty million? Your aunt and cousin must be insane!”

Her voice hardened. “They’re bloodsuckers. Don’t worry, Estella, I’ll help you find a way.”

Estella’s eyes reddened. She nodded.

Afterward, Lana sought out Jonathan and told him the truth.

At once, he understood why Estella had gotten into Nathaniel’s car without suspicion.

So Nathaniel had been using the debt as leverage.

“That bastard.” Jonathan’s jaw clenched. The beating he’d given Nathaniel suddenly felt far too light.

Lana frowned. “People like Lina and Wilson–once they latch on, they never let go. I’m afraid this won’t be the last time.”

Some people were born to bleed others dry, and their victims had no easy escape.

Jonathan’s voice was cold. “Wilson’s a gambler, isn’t he? That’s where we start.”

The look in his eyes made Lana shiver. He was usually stern, but never this dangerous.

Finally, Estella agreed to see him.

Jonathan brought dinner and soup.

She sat there, conflicted, words caught in her throat. Even after the meal, silence hung between

them.

Though Nathaniel hadn’t succeeded, the humiliation still left her with a sharp edge of shame whenever she faced Jonathan.

She had been married once. Yet Jonathan’s steady care and quiet sincerity had slowly helped

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Chapter 187 Shadows That Linger

her forget that fatal weakness.

But now–Nathaniel’s relentless harassment, this near–disaster…

It left her feeling unworthy of Jonathan’s love.

Exhaustion weighed heavy. She had never imagined a man could harbor such terrifying darkness.

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Fear had crept in, so deep that even with someone as kind as Jonathan, her instinct was still to

retreat.

He saw the struggle flicker in her eyes. He didn’t press her, didn’t try to drag her into conversations she wasn’t ready for.

He also didn’t offer hollow reassurances. Because he knew her pain was real, and no words could erase it.

Instead, he gave her a gentle smile. “The doctor says you’ll be discharged soon. Do you want to rest at home for a while, or go straight back to work?”

“Go back to work,” she answered.

“That’s good,” Jonathan said. “Lana’s moved into our neighborhood. You two can go to and from the office together. It’ll be good to have company.”

He had even arranged a rental for Lana nearby, paying the year’s rent himself just to persuade her.

Estella managed a small smile. “Lana’s been wonderful. I keep troubling her.”

“That’s what friends are for,” Jonathan said quietly.

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