The Silent Wife

Chapter 163

Chapter 163

“I’ll get my men to check all the neighborhoods that are near a river.” Janice put the glass shard down,looking troubled. “But this will be a big project, so we might go a while without any clues.” If Rachel islocked up somewhere near a river, that means every neighborhood in Riverdale that is near a river isgoing to be on our list.

Upon hearing that, Gloria offered, “My friend can help. I’ll ask them.”

“No. That’s too conspicuous. You’d best lay low or Justin will know something’s up. It’s going to be aproblem if he takes Rachel somewhere else.”

“I don’t think he will. He’s seriously injured.” The mention of Justin’s situation saddened Gloria. Eventhough everyone thought he was a cruel person, she couldn’t bring herself to agree. She was reallyworried for him when she knew he was injured.

Julian patted her shoulder to show solidarity as he shared her sentiment, after all. Justin was his cousinso even though they weren’t on the best of terms, he was still Julian’s family. “Don’t feel too pressured,Gloria. We’re not betraying him. Just trying to make sure he won’t do something he’ll regret for the rest ofhis life.”

Gloria nodded.

“Then that’s it for now. I’ll assemble the squad,” Janice said.

“Okay.”

The room was as dim as ever as there was only a small opening on the window that allowed sunlight toshine on the room. Rachel was watching some TV as usual, and a can of sour plums sat on the tablebefore her. Aside from the TV, she had nothing that could connect her to the outside world.

Someone came to dispose of everything that had glass in it the day after Justin was injured. When Justincame himself, he saw a dozen or so plums lying on the table. “You like those plums? I’ll get Frankie tobuy more tomorrow.”

Rachel looked at him. Can I even say no? She had no choice but to passively accept everything he gaveher. What will it take for you to let me go?

Justin frowned. “After you give birth to the child.”

Don’t tell me you can’t find anyone else who wants to bear your child. You can get any woman you wantwith a wave of your hand, so why won’t you just let me go? Rachel suddenly got agitated and shegestured, Because I’m Jefferey’s daughter? I’ve already told you that I’m not!

“Calm down.” Justin held her wildly waving hands. “I said, calm down,” he growled.

Rachel tried to break free but she couldn’t. Her chest was heaving and her face became flushed.Meanwhile, her lips were trembling but she couldn’t make a sound.

“You have to stay calm. The doctor said so.”

Stay calm? She felt a lump in her throat and tears streamed down her cheeks. How can I even do that?Pretend my whole childhood never happened? Pretend that this man in front of me isn’t that boy Isaved? Pretend that he’s not the cause of Hans and Grandma’s deaths? At that thought, Rachel flungJustin’s hand away.

Justin wanted to hold her, but he hesitated and decided against that in the end. He then poured her aglass of water and put her medicine on the table. “Take your meds.”

Rachel wiped her tears away and gulped all the meds without even looking at them, but they were stuckin her throat a moment later.

Upon seeing that, Justin handed her a glass of water. “Have some water.”

The water melted the meds, making it easier for her to swallow. The pills were painful to swallow and itmade her eyes redder, but it stopped her tears. At least pain could make sure she stayed sober.

The TV was airing a crime movie. The villain was escaping in an abandoned factory but he was shot amoment later and blood splattered everywhere. When Justin saw that, he said, “Watch something else.Thisnovelbin

is too gory for the baby.” He switched to a cartoon channel that was showing some sheeps running in themeadow. “This is good.”

So I can’t even choose my shows now?

Justin frowned and put the remote control down.

However, Rachel didn’t touch it. I’m tired. I want to sleep.

She went to her bed but Justin got angry again and he questioned, “How much longer are you going tothrow a tantrum?”

What are you talking about?

“You could have killed me back then. Why did you tell them to save me?”

Rachel froze. She knew Justin would bring that matter up eventually, so she answered, I did want to killyou, but I don’t want to die. I can’t run away even if you’re dead, right?

In response, Justin yelled, “You’re still trying to escape? You literally stabbed me! That should have beenenough, so what more do you want? Fine! I broke Hans’ legs, so do you want to get back at me for him?”He suddenly put a dagger on the table. “Here’s a dagger. Stab me anywhere you want. You can doanything as long as you’ll stay here safely and bear the child.” He put the dagger in her hand. “Go on,stab me!”

All the color drained from Rachel’s face as Justin tried to guide the dagger into his chest. You’re mad!Why are you doing this? She was terrified.

“I thought you wanted to kill me. If you do it now, they’ll let you go. You can leave Riverdale-heck, eventhe country-and nobody will try to catch you.” He let her hand go, but the dagger was still inches awayfrom his chest.

All Rachel had to do was stab him in the chest and he would die. However, everything started spinningaround her, even Justin. The closer the dagger was to his chest, the more the world spun.

Eventually, she lost her grip on the dagger and it fell down. All her strength left her and she plopped onthe ground, laughing and crying at the same time.

“You don’t even have the guts to kill me.” He held her chin, looking at her with dead, dark eyes. “I gaveyou a chance, Rachel. You lost it, so now you can’t complain anymore. Stop giving me that attitude, youhear me?”

To Justin, anything could be forgiven as long as it was an eye for an eye. However, he had no inkling thatsome wounds were so deep that forgiveness was out of the question, and that those wounds wouldsimply not heal.

Rachel thought Justin’s gesture was laughable. A long, long while later, she gestured with tremblinghands, I’ll give birth to the baby.

Justin was surprised, but that reply worked well in calming down his temper. While Rachel went to bed,he stood there for a while before going up to her.

Rachel could feel him getting into her bed and hugging her through the blanket. The hug got tighter andtighter as time went on.

“You don’t have to worry about the baby’s future. Once I finish my business and after you give birth, we’llget remarried. You’ll still be my wife,” Justin said, like it was some sort of divine gift.

Rachel, on the other hand, was suffocating from the hug but she didn’t struggle.