Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace (Dexter) novel Chapter 349

Coastline Avenue was a far cry from its former glory. The demolition signs hung like weary sentinels as I parked the car a good distance away and made my way on foot.

Colin was a silent shadow trailing behind me, his inner turmoil palpable, yet he couldn't find the words to stop me nor hide his disapproval of my meeting with Zoe.

Frustration simmered within me. It was always the same with him—hindering my path, yet withholding his reasons.

If he had just said it outright—that Zoe was dangerous, capable of causing harm, or offered any tangible reason, I would've listened. But his stubborn silence? That was a different story. How could I possibly accept that?

"Phoebe…" His voice barely reached me as he trailed three meters back, his head hung low.

I glanced back at him. Tall and lanky, he held a fragile sort of beauty when he donned those oversized hoodies, as if the world had somehow wronged him.

I snorted and kept walking, refusing to give in. I couldn't let him get too comfortable with having his way.

Being ignored seemed to tug at his heartstrings, his eyes rimmed with red, his nose sniffling as he kept his distance.

I picked up the pace, letting my mood dictate my stride.

Wasn't I entitled to some normal human emotions? My husband was keeping secrets, protecting the one who harmed me. Of course, I was angry. Why should I be rational with my loved one? I wanted to throw a tantrum, wasn't he supposed to indulge me and share the truth?

I turned into an alley, seething inside, only to find it cluttered with loiterers and vagrants, puffing on cigarettes. An innate fear of these types lingered from the time Dexter roughed me up at Nocturne.

"Hey, sweetheart, how much for a good time?"

"Looking for some fun, are you?"

Their lewd comments stung the air, as if every woman who ventured here was tainted.