Chapter 86
Leaning against the wall with a stoic expression, Dexter remained silent.
“Are you still defending her at this point?” Stella frowned at Dexter.
“She fell down the stairs on her own. Maybe she didn’t see clearly… and thought it was Phoebe. It was Hank who lied…”
Dexter was attempting to justify Melody’s actions with words he himself could hardly believe.
What was he explaining? In defending Melody, he was essentially defending himself.
No matter how glaring the evidence, this guy would never admit that my death had anything to do with him!
“Phoebe, weren’t you dead? Why can’t you just leave us alone? Get out of here!” Hank was still raving mad, having knocked back a few drinks before Dexter had hit him, which only added to his frenzy.
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, he pointed at Dexter. “Dexter! There’s a debtor for every claim–go after him, leave me out of it!”
Then he yelled into thin air, “Phoebe, it wasn’t me who killed you; it was him! He’s the one who had you die in Melody’s place; it was him.”
Dexter’s hands clenched until his knuckles turned white as Hank’s words struck a nerve.
“Hank!” From outside, Serena Burton barged in with backup. She was Melody’s sister, two peas. in a pod.
The ringleader of those who bullied me back at school was her.
“Dexter…” From the doorway came Melody’s choking voice.
Melody had arrived, too.
I turned to look at Melody, fighting the urge to lash out.
She was clutching her belly, tears welling up in her eyes. “Dexter, I don’t know if what Hank said is true. I was having an argument with Phoebe, and I just fell… I didn’t know…”
“Dexter, I really didn’t know,” Melody sobbed, feigning fragility.
Suddenly, she clutched at her belly and leaned against the wall. “Dexter, my stomach… it hurts so much.”
Dexter stood rooted to the spot, his gaze complex as he looked at Melody.
Melody looked up through her tears. “Dexter, this child… maybe it’s meant to make up for what you lost with Phoebe. Phoebe couldn’t have your baby… If she were alive, she’d definitely want to give you that child. So, our baby can’t be harmed, even if it’s for Phoebe’s sake.”
16:14
Chapter 86
I was shocked at Melody’s words. What kind of person talks like that?
“You’re disgusting!” I stepped forward and slapped Melody.
“And who the hell are you!” Serena shouted at me, infuriated.
“Dexter…” Melody collapsed to the floor, feigning agony.
In the end, Dexter rushed over, pushed me aside, and scooped up Melody, taking her away.
I nearly lost my balance, watching as Dexter carried Melody off. He trusted Melody time and again.
Even with Hank’s damning accusation, Dexter still chose to believe Melody.
“Dexter, it was Melody who killed Phoebe. I’ll find the evidence, and she’ll go to prison. She’ll face justice!” Stella shouted after Dexter.
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