Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace (Dexter) novel Chapter 353

Jaxon looked at me, his mocking smile slowly morphing into a mask of terror. “Phoebe Caldwell…”

The fact that he called out Phoebe Caldwell meant he knew me, and seeing me struck fear into his heart.

“You… you didn’t die…” Jaxon's voice was laced with fear as he scrambled away from me, suddenly making a mad dash for it.

I blinked, turning to Colin. “He seems really scared of me.”

Colin took my hand, whispering, “He's mistaken you for someone else. Let's go home.”

“Thank you,” Jaxon's wife muttered, her body bruised and battered, a trickle of blood staining her lips.

“He’s abusive. You can call the cops or get a divorce,” I said softly, not wanting to meddle too much, and turned to leave with Colin.

“There comes a time when enough is enough,” I faintly heard Zoe say behind us.

When I looked back, she was still standing there, foolishly comforting the battered woman.

“Colin,” I said, trailing behind him, feeling puzzled by his attitude towards Zoe. “Zoe is Carter’s sister, right? You could easily pull her out of this mess, even if she disagrees.”

“Everyone has their own path in life, and we shouldn’t impose,” Colin said sternly.

I frowned, not quite understanding.

“I’ve tried to send her money through the butler many times, but she refuses it. I even had people forcibly take her away to give her a better life. Yet, every time, she manages to return here, insisting on earning her keep through her so-called labor…” Colin looked visibly upset.

He had tried to help Zoe numerous times, but she was adamant about living her life her way.

I was stunned for a moment, then fell silent.

On the way back with Colin, I stared out the window, my mind filled with my mother’s journal entries. She wrote that Colin had a violent streak, that he abused me.

“Did you take me away when I was eighteen? Did you imprison and abuse me? Is that true?” I asked softly.