Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace

I was totally gobsmacked. My jaw practically hit the floor.

I glanced between Zoe and Colin in disbelief.

Is this even real?

"Zoe, he's my husband," I tried to clarify, hoping to sway her perspective.

But Zoe just mumbled, head bowed. "It's not like we haven't shared a bed before."

I froze, thinking I had misheard, and anxiously stared at Zoe. "What did you say?"

"I've shared a bed with Colin," Zoe stated matter-of-factly.

My gaze instinctively flicked back to Colin. He remained on edge, as if he had anticipated Zoe's wild claims all along.

He clasped his hands together, explaining calmly, "She's talking about sharing a bed in the literal sense, not what you're thinking."

I was baffled. "Literal sense? What are you talking about?"

"Back at the orphanage, me, Carter, and her often slept in the same bed, but it was just sleeping. That's the literal sense," Colin explained through gritted teeth. "When I'm with you, and we have our baby, that's the other sense."

I took a deep breath, my frustration mounting.

Zoe, still oblivious, went on. "He shared a bed with Carter too, and Phoebe shared a bed with Carter as well."

I massaged my forehead, overwhelmed by her shocking statements.

Colin, visibly upset, snapped, "Answer the question when you're asked!"

Zoe seemed genuinely scared of Colin, her voice timid. "Okay, got it."

"Do you remember the construction worker who lived across us, the one who jumped?" I asked softly.

Zoe nodded earnestly. "Yeah, I remember."

"Do you recall if anyone visited him before he... you know?" I pressed anxiously.

Zoe shook her head. "How would I remember?"

I felt a twinge of disappointment. Of course, Zoe, with her challenges, wouldn't remember.

"Are you out of your mind?" Zoe tilted her head as she stepped outside, pointing at the surveillance camera above her door. "I have a security camera, you know. Colin installed it for me. He said if I'm ever in danger, I just have to shout at the camera, and he'll come to save me."

I paused, shifting my gaze between the camera and Colin. So, he had been in touch with Zoe all along, even installing a hidden camera for her protection.

Colin avoided my gaze, seemingly guilty. He had installed the camera to protect her, but why hadn't he taken her away from this life?

I was confused.

"The camera records to your place?" I asked Colin quietly.

Colin nodded. "If you want to check, we can review the footage at home."

I clenched my jaw and pinched Colin's arm in frustration. Why hadn't he mentioned this earlier?

Colin looked at me with a pained expression. "I thought... you were investigating Zoe..."

Before he could finish, he quickly changed the subject. "I thought you were here for Finn, to inspect the scene."

"If there's a camera, why bother asking her anything?" I practically snarled.

"Let's go home," Colin suggested hastily, grabbing my hand as if eager to leave.

Zoe, head tilted, watched me with a puzzled smile. "Phoebe... is the culprit."

Colin froze, his expression turning icy. He turned back to Zoe.

Zoe retreated, cowering and clutching her head. Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

I was shocked. "What did she just say?"

Colin shook his head. "I didn't catch it."

Zoe continued to murmur, "Phoebe is the culprit... Phoebe is the culprit..."

But I heard her. Zoe was accusing me. Was she still blaming me for taking Colin away, for Carter's death? But that fire wasn't my fault.

Sighing, I whispered, "Colin, why didn't you let Eric take her away? After all, she is Carter's sister."