Chapter 277

Carly’s electric scooter sputtered and died, tumbling her to the ground. Connor appeared, his face a mask of fury. He grabbed her, his breath hot on her neck. “Carly,” he snarled, “the Carters are Isabella’s in-laws. Are you going to leech off them?”

Carly shoved him away, her heart pounding. She didn’t want to talk, turning to flee up the stairs. Connor followed.

“Connor, we’re divorced! Why are you following me?”

“Let’s remarry,” he said flatly.

Carly laughed, a bitter, incredulous sound. “In your dreams!”

She continued her ascent, but Connor relentlessly pursued her. She pulled out her phone. “I’m calling the police if you don’t leave me alone!”

“Go ahead!” he scoffed. “You haven’t got the guts.”

He underestimated her. After a tense three-second stare-down, Carly dialed 911. Connor watched, disbelief etched on his face, until the call ended. Then, his rage exploded. “Are you crazy? Just because Isabella married Adrian, you think you’re suddenly family?”

He lunged for her phone. Carly struggled, but he snatched it, checking her call log. His face darkened, eyes blazing. He raised his hand to strike her.

“Hey! What are you doing?” A passerby intervened, grabbing Connor’s arm.

“She’s my wife!” Connor snapped.

“I’m not!” Carly shouted, tears stinging her eyes. “Connor Zane, we are divorced!”

The passerby, now understanding the situation, released Connor. “You can’t hit anyone, especially a woman!”

“You don’t know anything!” Connor roared, pointing at Carly. “She slept with another man!”

Before he could finish, Carly slapped him. It was hard, furious, and utterly unexpected. “Get lost!” she screamed, sobbing.

Connor tried to hit her again. The passerby intervened again. Carly fled, escaping into the sanctuary of her home.

She slammed the door, the sound echoing the despair within. Divorced! she thought, sinking to the floor. Why won’t he leave me alone? The idea of escape blossomed. I need to move, far away.

She began packing, but then thought of Becky, Lillian and Kevin’s smiles, and the Carters. I can't run. We did nothing wrong!

A knock. The police. She’d called them; she knew they were looking for her. She answered the door, relieved Connor wasn’t with them. After recounting the events, the officers searched unsuccessfully for Connor, leaving Carly alone with her anxieties.

What if he comes back? Will the police think I'm a prank caller? The fear gnawed at her.