Page 86 of Devoured By Peace

She was about to answer when two officers entered.

“Lachlan Peace,” one of them said.

He crossed his arms and nodded.

“I am arresting you on the sexual assault and attempted murder of Tamara Peace. You have the right to remain silent. Anything yousaymay be used against you in a court of law.”

The next few minutes played out like a scene in a TV police drama. I almost wondered if I’d eaten moldy bread, because it felt like I was tripping.

Lachlan shook his head. “I’m innocent.”

Before my next breath, Britney, whose eyes I wanted to scratch out, had returned with a T-shirt for him. Where the hell did she find that?

Lachlan pleaded with me as they cuffed him, “I’m innocent.”

“I’ll call Hank. We’ll get this sorted,” Britney said.

“Wait,” I said. “At least let him get dressed.”

The police agreed and followed him up to his room. I wanted to join them, but the policeman shook his head.

Britney grabbed my arm. “Let them do what they have to do.”

I yanked my arm away and turned my back to her.

A few minutes later, they came back down the stairs.

Lachlan had changed into a shirt and jeans. “This is bullshit,” he said. “I’m innocent, Miranda.”

My heart broke when I saw the anguish in his eyes.

He turned to Britney. “Get this sorted.”

She nodded decisively. Her posture had straightened, as though she were about to take over a company or something. She’d suddenly become relevant.

My heart shriveled into a pea. Tears blinded me. What am I supposed to do? Wait? Go to him? Profess undying love?

I took a deep breath and heard the cold stern voices of the officers in the background. One of the policemen clutched the arm of the man I’d given everything of myself to. I’d stroked and kissed that same strong arm.

The unbearable sight of terror etched in Lachlan’s eyes made me cry.

Britney, meanwhile, chattered endlessly, while walking by his side. I couldn’t make out what she was saying, but she was out to save him. And for that, I hated her.

Why can’t I fucking save him?

Lachlan left with the officers, and I remained standing there like a zombie.

Britney gave me a sly smirk. “He needs me now,” she said before sauntering off in her immaculate pencil skirt, looking very much like the head of a corporation.

I stared down at my clothes, the remnants of a lusty weekend. Lachlan had a thing for ripping my clothes. I didn’t mind. He could do almost anything to me. But this?

He’d described Tamara as a scheming bitch and said that he would fight like mad to keep the estate. I thought of how he was with the children. That was always a good sign of a person’s character. I needed anything to help convince me of Lachlan’s innocence.

I gulped down a glass of water. My throat stung as the liquid passed through. Then I went into the bedroom and grabbed my belongings and, like a ghost, drifted out of the house, leaving a part of myself behind.

As I passed my old office, where it had all started, I glanced in and saw Britney on the phone with her feet up on the table, smiling, as though she owned the world.

She was enjoying Lachlan’s nightmare.

---