Page 140 of His Wounded Heart

Chapter Thirty-Five

“So, Bella doesn’t inherit anything?” Evie asks.

“Everything is up in the air. But from what Mr. Fortnum had to say, she won’t get anything. It will go to all those poor people who bought houses in the housing development.”

“And it’s all because you remembered some guy’s name from almost ten years ago and the company Ryker. You’ve got quite the memory. I have to say, Trenda, I’m not sure I would have done what you did if I were in your shoes.”

“Yes, you would have.”

“Sure, now I would; Aiden’s loaded. But before that? Knowing I could have set up my kid for life?”

“What’s more important—money or teaching Bella values?”

Evie sighs. “As a future mother, I take your point.”

I scream as she jumps up from the couch. Then she jumps up in the air and promptly drops her cellphone. I bend down and scoop it up.

“Are you telling me you’re pregnant?”

“I shouldn’t be telling you this. The rule is, don’t tell anybody until you’re twelve weeks along, but I peed on a stick today, and...I’m pregnant!” Evie screams the last two words.

“Oh my God. This is so wonderful. What did Aiden say?”

“He’s not answering his cellphone. I waited three whole hours for him to call me back and then I couldn’t wait any longer. So, you got a call.”

I laugh. That’s typical Evie.

“I’m worried about Chloe,” Evie says softly.

“She’s doing better. I promise. She’ll be able to handle you being pregnant.” I say softly.

“I hope so—”

“Hang up your phone.”

My head whips around to my front door and I see Carla there, holding a gun.

“Evie—”

She shoots the gun and a bullet rips into the couch right beside me. I drop my phone, and she shoots at it, misses, shoots at it again. I lunge for her. She backs up and holds the gun steady, pointed right at me. She’s wearing gloves.

“Go hang up the phone. I might not be able to hit the phone, but I’ll be able to hit you,” she whispers. I hang up the phone.

“I’ve hated you for years, you whore.”

I turn back toward her. “You’re never going to get away with this.”

“You live at the end of the cul-de-sac, nobody to the back or the sides. I will. I have an unregistered gun. So easy to get. But I’m going to do one of the movie things where you have to listen to all the reasons I hate your bitch ass.”

“Evie was recording you, she heard your voice,” I protest.

“Stupid cow, I whispered to you. A recording can’t pick that up.”

“Sure they can.” Then I try to reason with her. “Think of your son.”

“I have. That’s all I’ve thought about. He’s going to be out on his ass, right beside me, because of you. You’ve ruined his life, just like you’ve ruined mine.”

I want to keep her talking as long as possible, just like she said, in the movies. Evie heard the gunshot. I’ll have Simon, Zarek, and better not be Evie on their way.