Page 81 of Wicked Scandal

“This is the only way,” Wilder whispers back. “I’ve got you, baby.”

I have no choice but to trust him. He’s got me. He’s got us.

The car comes to a stop a good ten yards away and when they kill the lights, we’re unable to see anything at all. Wilder points his flashlight in their direction, but it does little good to reveal their identity. The sound of a car door creaking open has my palms sweating. This is it. I still have no idea who this could be. Troy knew a lot of people—everyone in this town for that matter. Now I’m running through all of the faces of who this might be.

It could be the chief of police who Troy had in his pocket for years. I wonder what it was that Troy held over his head for so long to make him so loyal. Or he could just be a corrupt cop who helped willingly.

I wonder if it was Principal Hargrove. I know Troy would have him spy on me and report to him under the guise of making sure I was safe. He could have blackmailed him.

My thoughts begin to morph the shadow in front of us into so many different men that when they get closer, I don’t fully believe what I’m seeing. It isn’t until Wilder’s flashlight shines on their silhouette that we are able to see it’s not a man at all.

I heave, barely able to catch my breath as my vision fogs. It can’t be.

“No.” My voice shakes as the last person I could have expected approaches us.

Standing before me is a very pregnant woman wearing all black with the hood on her sweatshirt flipped over her head. But it’s not just any woman—I know this one quite well.

“Beth,” I choke out. “Wha…what are you doing here?”

“Surprise,” she sings as she comes closer and closer until we’re face to face. But the look on her face isn’t a pleasant one. She looks livid.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, still unsure if this is just a coincidence or if she’s the one who left the note.

“I had you come here, Catherine.” She glances from me to Wilder. “Both of you.”

“You left the note?” I have to ask, even if it is blatantly obvious. It doesn’t make sense.

Wilder nudges me, not taking his eyes off Beth. “Who the hell is this?”

Beth smirks devilishly, rubbing her pregnant belly. “I’m the woman carrying Catherine’s husband’s baby.”

My heart drops into my stomach, my ears ringing. “What did you just say?”

Wilder, noticing the way my body is shaking, wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me tightly to his side for comfort.

“That’s right.” Beth glowers. “Your son-of-a-bitch husband knocked me up. Then he tried to send me away and told me he wanted nothing to do with me or the baby. When I wouldn’t go, he fucking strangled me until I agreed.” She spits the words out like venom, as if it’s my fault she slept with a married man and got pregnant.

“We’re having a baby,” is what she said when she told me she was pregnant. I now realize she was trying to tell me something more. Her crying makes sense now. She wasn’t hormonal; she was heartbroken.

I still can’t believe what I’m hearing, but I’m not angry. In fact, I feel bad for Beth. This poor girl. She’s a victim, too.

“Beth,” I say softly as I step toward her, hoping she’ll allow me to help her. “Troy was a terrible man who did awful things. Consider it a blessing that he’s gone and not part of your innocent baby’s life.”

“Oh, I know it’s a blessing.” She grits her teeth, clearly trying to hold back so many emotions. “And I made sure he wouldn’t be a part of my baby’s life.”

“Beth,” I say again, taking another step toward her, and Wilder moves along with me. “Did you shoot Troy?”

“I did what I had to do.” Her voice shakes as a tidal wave of fear and sorrow hits her so hard it’s like I can physically see it. “H-he turned into a man I didn’t recognize. After a year of pretending to love me, he pushed me aside when I needed him the most. The hands that used to hold me began hurting me.”

Tears roll down her cheeks and she sniffles, then begins wiping at her face. “I didn’t want to leave,” she sobs. “But he told me if I didn’t, he would kill me and our baby.”

“Oh, Beth,” I say somberly. She nearly folds in half and I worry about the baby if she falls. “He can’t hurt you anymore. You’re safe now.”

Those are the same words Wilder said to me, and I can’t imagine getting through these last couple weeks without him. Beth needs someone to assure her she’s okay now, too.

“What do you want from us?” Wilder spits out angrily.

“I need money,” she cries, gesturing to the bag in my arms. “I don’t have a job anymore. I don’t even have a place to live. I…I have nothing.” Her hands wrap around her stomach protectively and I understand. She has nothing but this sweet innocent baby, and she needs to protect him.

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