He Left Me to Freeze, So I Burned His World Down Chapter 15

He Left Me to Freeze, So I Burned His World Down Chapter 15

Graham’s eyes held disappointment, fury, and the cold realization of a man who has been utterly fooled.

He had always thought she was simple and kind, a pitiful woman swept away by love.

He had even grown impatient with Ava because of Piper’s delicate act.

Yet the moment his back was turned, she had bribed his men and orchestrated an act of pure evil, destroying a person’s life.

“Why?” he stared at her, his voice devoid of warmth. “Why would you do that?”

Piper’s lips trembled, and tears spilled from her eyes as if she had been terribly wronged.

“I didn’t mean to, Graham. I was just… confused.”

She took a step forward, trying to grab his arm, but he recoiled in disgust.

“I’m sorry. I truly didn’t think it would turn out this way. I never imagined Miss Nora would… that it would be so serious.”

Her sobs grew louder, every word steeped in rehearsed remorse. “I just wanted to scare them. To show Ava how determined I was so she would let you go…”

“Come with me to the hospital.”

Graham interrupted her performance and stood, not looking at her again.

“You’re going to apologize to Nora.”

“Apologize?”

The word struck Piper like a bolt of lightning, stopping her tears. The color drained from her face.

“No. I won’t go. They’ll kill me.” She collapsed onto the carpet, desperately grabbing his trouser leg. “What if they call the police? Our son is still so young. He can’t lose his mother.”

Graham paused.

The child, not yet publicly acknowledged, was his one weak spot.

But Nora was Ava’s best friend. She was like this because of Ava.

If he didn’t answer for this, Ava would never forgive him. And he would never be able to forgive himself.

“Graham, I really know I was wrong. I’ll never do it again. Please, don’t take me…”

As he hesitated, a knock came at the heavy oak door. The housekeeper entered, followed by two uniformed police officers.

“Which of you is Mr. Graham Lockwood, and which is Miss Piper Vale?” one officer asked, his voice calm but authoritative.

Graham stepped forward, his own voice frighteningly calm. “I am Graham Lockwood.”

“We’ve received a report.” The officer’s gaze shifted to Piper, who had gone limp on the floor. “Miss Piper Vale is suspected of conspiracy, falsifying evidence, and intentional harm resulting in grievous bodily injury to one Miss Nora Blake. Please come with us.”

“It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me!”

Piper broke down completely. She screamed like a madwoman, clawing at the carpet, her body shaking like a leaf in the wind.

Suddenly, she jerked her head up, her bloodshot eyes fixing on Graham as if he were her last hope.

“It was him! He told me to do it!” she shrieked. “It was all Graham’s idea! He wanted to get rid of Ava. He didn’t want to split the assets in the divorce, so he made me do it!”

Graham looked at her twisted, desperate face and found it unspeakably ironic.

He finally saw the true face of the woman he had once wanted to protect.

He slowly turned to the police, his voice devoid of emotion. “Who filed the report?”

The officer looked at him and answered in a formal tone.

“Miss Ava Hart. Your ex-wife.”