I Raised My Husband's Love Child...Then He Shot Me

Chapter 30

Cold metal snapped shut around my wrists.

Tears streamed down my face as I turned to Xavier. "Xavier, please…"

His jaw tightened, eyes blazing with fury. "This isn't happening. I won't let it."

An officer began reading me my rights, dragging me toward the door.

Michael stood off to the side, smirking like he'd won.

Susan had set me up. Framed me. And now I was getting arrested for something I didn't do.

"Let me go!" I struggled against the officers, the cuffs biting into my skin.

My heart thundered. My breath came in shallow gasps. This couldn't be real.

One minute, I was in the garden. The next, I was covered in blood, with Susan screaming like I'd stabbed her.

And now, I was the one in cuffs.

"Wait!" Xavier's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding.

He shoved past the cops, face dark with rage. "You can't take my wife!"

The officer holding me didn't even blink. "Step back, sir."

"She's innocent!" Xavier said, steady and loud.

"If you interfere, we'll arrest you too," another officer warned, cold and firm.

I shook my head at him, my voice breaking. "Just let me go."

His fists clenched at his sides, but he nodded.

"I'm not going anywhere," he promised. "I'll be right behind you."

As they shoved me into the backseat of the police cruiser, I looked out the window.

Xavier stood there, eyes locked on mine—full of fury, fear, and something else.

The station was cold and sterile. Fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting everything in a harsh glow.

They took my fingerprints, snapped my mugshot, and walked me to a holding cell with rusted iron bars.

Xavier showed up not long after. He grabbed the bars, knuckles white. "I'm getting you out."

I gave him a faint nod. "I know."

Time dragged. The low hum of the station buzzed in my ears. The air reeked of burnt coffee and paperwork gone stale.

Then I heard familiar voices.

My grandparents.

"Rachel!" My grandmother rushed up, eyes wide with worry. "Are you alright, sweetheart?"

"I'm okay," I said, though my voice trembled.

Grandpa's expression was tight. "We tried posting bail, but they won't process it until tomorrow."

I swallowed hard. "It's alright."

"I'm so sorry," Grandma said softly, reaching through the bars to hold my hands.

I managed a tiny smile. "I'll be fine."

Xavier crossed his arms, stone-faced. "I'm staying right here."

The officer nearby raised a brow. "You can't."

Xavier didn't budge. "Watch me."

He sat down on the bench outside my cell and didn't move for hours.

Eventually, they forced him to leave.

Before going, he leaned close to the bars. "I'm parked right outside. I'm not leaving you."

The next morning, I heard heels clicking against the tile.

I sat up.

Maria. And Susan.

They stood in front of my cell, smug and glowing.

"Well, well," Maria drawled. "How's jail treating you?"

Susan smirked. "You really fell for it."

My stomach churned. "You set me up."

Maria tilted her head, mock innocence all over her face. "Did we?"

Susan crossed her arms. "That's what you get for sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."

My hands curled into fists. "You're both disgusting."

Maria smiled wider. "Maybe. But you're still the one behind bars."

I glared at them. "What do you want?"

Susan leaned in, voice low and venomous. "Just a little warning. Next time, you won't walk away."

Before I could answer, a cop walked over.

Susan sighed theatrically. "I've had a change of heart."

I froze.

"I'm dropping the charges," she said sweetly, like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. "Let her go."

The officer eyed her warily, but nodded. "You're free to go, Mrs. Crawford."

Maria smirked. "Looks like it's your lucky day."

I stepped out, spine straight, even though every muscle in my body was shaking.

I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

They trailed behind me, whispering and giggling like it was all a game.

Xavier was outside the second I walked through the door, eyes locked on me.

Relief washed over his face. "Rachel."

He pulled me into a tight hug.

I clung to him. "I didn't do it," I whispered, voice cracking.

"I know," he said softly, arms firm around me.

Then came the voice I'd hoped not to hear.

Maria.

"There won't be a next time," she said smoothly, stepping up.

Susan folded her arms. "Back off, Rachel. Or next time, you won't be walking out."

Xavier stepped between us, shielding me. "Stay the hell away from her."

Maria raised an eyebrow. "Quid pro quo, Xavier."

I blinked. "Was that a threat?"

His face turned to stone. "It means they know what happened to my mother."

A heavy silence dropped over us.

Maria's smile turned cold. "You should've stayed out of this."

Susan added, "But you didn't. So now, it's war."

My pulse spiked.

Maria leaned in close, her breath ice. "Be careful, Rachel. You might not like how this story ends."

Then they turned and walked away without a backward glance.

My hands trembled. "Xavier…"

His arm wrapped tighter around me. "I won't let them touch you. Not now. Not ever."