Filed to story: My Husband Regrets Divorcing Me (Audrey & Cornell)
Nicole lied and gave a false name. Callie listened and murmured, “Evita, you look like someone I know.”
Nicole could tell that Callie was talking about her. With a slight smile, she said, “I have one of those faces that people often confuse with someone else.”
Callie fell silent for a moment and then continued looking at Nicole’s reflection in the car window.
“The nice lady I know was so kind. When I was little, she’d bring me gifts and candies I’d never seen before. My dad wouldn’t let me have them because of my health, but she would secretly let me lick them just to taste the sweetness. She told me that if I followed the doctor’s advice and got better, I could eat all the sweet candies I wanted when I grew up…”
Nicole’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. She was surprised that Callie could recall these things so vividly. She chuckled and asked, “Did you follow her advice and take good care of your health?”
Callie nodded and responded, “I do whatever the doctor says and receive some treatments. Now the doctor says I can live for many years.”
“That’s wonderful!” Nicole said, genuinely happy for her.
Callie continued to gaze at Nicole’s reflection in the car window. She pressed her lips tightly together and remained silent. Shortly after, they reached the destination Callie had mentioned.
Nicole parked her car and surveyed her surroundings, finding no one in sight. An uneasy sensation settled in her chest, prompting her to scrutinize the area.
Eventually, Nicole caught sight of a familiar figure. It was none other than Ethel. Ethel had donned plain clothes, indicating her colleagues were likely preparing to apprehend Brett.
Nicole glanced at Callie, who remained motionless. Breaking the silence, Nicole spoke softly, “We’ve arrived. Wouldn’t you like to see your father?”
As Nicole’s words hung in the air, a sudden commotion erupted nearby. A man dressed in a black coat struggled against Ethel and her colleagues, who had pinned him to the ground.
Nicole’s heart raced, her instincts kicking in as she swiftly halted Callie’s advance. “Wait just a bit longer. You can’t see your dad yet.”
Motivated to protect Callie from the distress of witnessing her father’s arrest, Nicole resolutely restrained Callie from leaving the vehicle.
Despite the potential implication of Brett in Wesson’s downfall, Nicole recognized Brett’s steadfast affection for Callie. Brett had consistently fulfilled the role of a devoted and caring father figure throughout Callie’s upbringing.
Callie’s biological mother had forsaken their family upon comprehending the severity of Callie’s illness, unable to confront the demands of her care. Brett, left to raise his ailing daughter and elderly parents alone, steadfastly refused to relinquish hope in his daughter’s recovery.
Nicole dreaded tarnishing this fatherly love in Callie’s eyes.
Callie, composed and obedient, remained seated in the car.
Nicole’s gaze remained fixed on the unfolding scene. Ethel conversed with the man on the ground and then helped him to his feet. Before the man could turn, Callie interjected abruptly from behind, her voice barely audible, “Why are you all pursuing my father?”
Nicole was taken aback. She turned to face Callie.
“That man isn’t my dad, Nicole.” Callie finally acknowledged Nicole’s identity. “And you’ll never find him.”
Nicole’s eyes fell to the phone in Callie’s hand, and realization dawned upon her. Callie’s phone was active. Callie must have tipped off Brett about her pursuit, giving him ample time to disappear.
Ethel and her colleagues were left scratching their heads in confusion, but the man was taken into custody regardless.
Ethel called Nicole. “The man we just picked up isn’t Brett. He’s a car thief,” she said, frustration clear in her voice.
Nicole vividly remembered the man’s erratic behavior earlier and his hasty attempt to flee when he noticed the undercover officers approaching.
“I’m aware,” Nicole responded, her gaze fixed on Callie.
“Where are you? What about Callie?” Ethel asked. The apprehended driver had confessed that his actions were driven by unrestrained desire.
“She’s here with me,” Nicole replied.
Ethel, still unaware of the full situation, suggested, “Keep her close for now. Try to get her talking and see if she knows where her father is.”
“I will,” Nicole replied. She ended the call abruptly, unable to divulge further details due to Callie’s presence. “Callie, when did you realize who I was?”
Callie’s eyes widened as she studied Nicole’s face. “After the phone call. I care about you deeply. How could I not recognize you?”
Callie’s innocent demeanor radiated genuine affection for Nicole.
Nicole took a deep breath, her heart racing. “So, you informed your father, didn’t you?”
“Regrettably, yes,” Callie admitted, her face etched with remorse. “I’m sorry. Do what you wish with me, but please spare my father. Losing him would devastate our family. My grandparents and I would be left vulnerable…”
Callie’s voice trailed off, sincerity evident in her words. Her fragile health, combined with her grandparents’ inability to care for themselves, left her family susceptible to exploitation.
Thankfully, Brett had committed himself to providing Callie with the best possible life, ensuring her well-being and managing her illness. Their lives had steadily improved before the police arrived. Learning of the police’s pursuit, Brett reluctantly revealed that he was wanted by the authorities.
Brett remained silent about the details, but Callie understood the critical importance of keeping his location secret. As long as he stayed hidden, he could continue to care for them.
Nicole paused thoughtfully before speaking. “Do you know why we’re searching for your father?”
Callie shook her head.
“Your father was the last person my father spoke to before he died. I need to find your father for closure.”
Callie’s eyes widened in shock, her voice trembling slightly. “How does this involve my father?”
“I wish it didn’t,” Nicole replied, a trace of bitterness in her tone. “But the evidence directly implicates him. My father didn’t commit suicide. He was murdered.”
Callie’s jaw dropped in astonishment. The thought of her father being implicated in a murder, and not just any murder but that of Wesson, the man who had shown so much kindness to their family, was almost unbearable.
“How could this be?” Callie murmured. “My father… He’s not capable of such a thing. He’s a good man, a truly good man… This must be a mistake.”
Callie turned to Nicole, her hands trembling as they clutched Nicole’s arms. “You know my father. You know he’s compassionate and gentle. How could he have committed such a crime? Do you truly believe he’s murdered your father?”
Nicole winced at Callie’s tight grasp, but she steadied Callie’s shaking form. “I wish it were otherwise. But only your father holds the truth. Perhaps he was coerced or manipulated. Regardless, he’s the key to unraveling this mystery.”
“Callie, I need closure regarding my father’s mysterious death,” Nicole implored earnestly. “If you’re willing to assist, I’ll be forever grateful. And if you choose to shield your father, I understand. However, I hope you’ll contemplate that Brett doesn’t deserve a life in hiding. An arrest warrant looms. You must decide if he should flee or face the truth.”
Nicole expressed her thoughts, entrusting the remainder to Callie’s conscience. She refrained from imposing a decision upon Callie, instead placing her faith in Callie’s integrity, confident that Callie would opt for the morally upright path, given Callie’s past character.
Nicole recognized Callie’s inherent goodness and honesty.
After accompanying Callie to the police station for her statement, Nicole escorted her back home. As Callie alighted from the car, they were greeted by an elderly woman, shuffling toward them with the aid of a cane.
As Nicole prepared to depart, Callie’s grandmother, Laurie, emerged, brandishing her cane. “Did you kidnap my granddaughter?” she shouted with anger.
Observing this, Callie hastily intervened, seizing the cane to halt her. “Grandma, no! She saved me!”
Laurie remained unconvinced. She fixed her gaze on Nicole and said accusingly, “I recall you. You sought my son the other day. Are you intending to harm him? Now that you can’t locate him, you’re focusing on Callie, right? You’re such a malevolent woman! Why do you wish to cause us harm?”
Nicole found herself speechless. Engaging in a dispute with the obstinate elderly woman appeared futile. Understanding her grandmother’s fiery temper, Callie promptly urged Nicole to depart. “You should leave. My grandma can be quite fierce. She might genuinely strike you.”
Nicole hesitated to agitate the elderly woman any further. She returned to her car and drove away.
Nicole opted not to press Callie further, believing that if Callie remained the innocent girl she remembered, Callie would eventually extend her assistance. If not, she would honor Callie’s decision. After all, familial bonds held great strength, and it was natural for individuals to feel protective of their loved ones.
Nicole remained resolute in her quest to locate Brett. Closure for her father’s death was imperative.
Once Nicole departed, Laurie’s agitation subsided. She clasped Callie’s shoulders, studying her intently.
“Darling, are you truly alright? Please, don’t deceive me. Your father contacted me, expressing concern for your safety. He implored me to keep you indoors upon your return.”
Callie paused briefly before reassuring her grandmother. “I’m alright, Laurie. I did have a frightening encounter, but a kind woman intervened and ensured my safety.”
“Saved you?” Laurie questioned skeptically, harboring suspicions regarding Nicole’s intentions toward their family.
“Yes, she saved me. Remember the Lawrence family where my dad used to work? She’s their daughter, and she often visited me,” Callie explained.
With a faltering memory, Laurie finally recollected Nicole upon Callie’s prompt. “Oh, that family. Mr. Lawrence was a fine man, and their family was always gracious,” Laurie commented, recalling the kindness the Lawrence family had shown them over the years.
However, Laurie failed to grasp Nicole’s motive for seeking her son. She turned to Callie and inquired, “Why is she searching for your father?”
Callie nervously bit her lip and replied, “She mentioned that my dad was the last person to see Mr. Lawrence before his passing. She wishes to speak with my father to verify certain details.”
Upon hearing this, Laurie’s eyes lit up with sudden understanding. She recollected how her son had unexpectedly acquired a substantial amount of money despite his modest income. He had utilized this money to facilitate Callie’s kidney transplant.
Callie, with her rare blood type, had endured a prolonged and uncertain wait for a matching donor. Brett had discovered a potential donor, but just before the surgery, the donor withdrew their offer.
The cycle of hope followed by disappointment had profoundly impacted Brett, transforming him from a compassionate and upright individual to one who frequently lamented about life.
Then, one fateful day, Brett spirited them away into hiding. After approximately a month, they received word of another compatible kidney, necessitating overseas surgery.
Brett had accompanied Callie overseas for the surgery. Following their return, Callie’s health gradually improved, and they resided in seclusion at their former residence.
Despite Brett’s discreet nature regarding his endeavors, he consistently provided financial support and reassurance, citing personal savings. Laurie frequently pondered how Brett, a modest laborer, could afford all this.
However, she refrained from inquiry, content with his apparent success.
Now, upon hearing Callie’s remarks, Laurie abruptly entertained suspicions regarding the source of the funds, perhaps linked to Wesson’s demise.
Unaware of Laurie’s conjectures, Callie asked, “Laurie, why does my dad persist in concealing himself? If he’s innocent, shouldn’t he address the situation? We need not live in seclusion.”
Callie’s sentiments remained straightforward. Previously uninformed of the intricacies, she steadfastly supported her father. He was the one who loved her with his life, and she harbored no intentions of causing him harm.
Nevertheless, Nicole’s disclosures prompted a shift in Callie’s perspective. Though uncertain of her father’s involvement, she held firm in her trust in the Lawrence family’s integrity.