Chapter 7
After giving his statement, Evan Carter sat silently in the chair, his head bowed, his expression darker than before.
“Evan, don’t worry,” Lila murmured softly, trying to comfort him.
“Ava and Chloe will be fine.”
But Evan didn’t respond.
He remained motionless, ignoring her completely.
tried a few more soothing words, but when they fell flat, she gave up.
Her hands clenched into fists, her eyes glinting with barely concealed frustration and resentment.
She cast a hateful glare at my mother, who was sobbing in the corner.
It was as if she wanted to tear her apart with her eyes, blaming her for everything that had gone wrong.
Lila’s grand plan had crumbled, and her fury simmered beneath her delicate facade.
Hours later, an officer entered the waiting room.
Evan, who had been silent all this time, leaped to his feet and grabbed the officer by the arms.
“Do you have the results? Is it them? Tell me it’s not them. It’s not Ava and Chloe, right?”
He repeated himself, his voice trembling with desperation, his eyes wide with fragile hope.
The officer sighed heavily, his face somber.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Carter. The DNA results confirm the severed hands belong to your wife and daughter.”
He paused before continuing, “And the medical examiner estimates they’ve been deceased for three days.”
The news hit like a thunderclap.
My mother collapsed onto the floor, her sobs echoing through the room.
“No…” Evan’s eyes widened in disbelief.
He stared at the officer, his voice cracking.
“That’s not true. You’re lying. This has to be a mistake… Tell me it’s a mistake!”
The officer’s silence was confirmation enough.
Evan stumbled backward, collapsing into his chair. Tears streamed down his face, falling in relentless streams.
“Ava! Chloe!” he wailed. “How could this happen? The Butcher doesn’t target married women… Why? Why them?”
He buried his face in his hands, his body shaking with sobs.
It was a raw, broken display, like a child mourning the loss of a beloved toy.
I had never seen him so vulnerable.
The man who was always cold and commanding had been reduced to a puddle of regret and despair.
“Do you
have
any updates on the Rainy Night Butcher?” he choked out.
The officer’s expression grew grim.
12:17
Butchered by Love
6.5%
Chapter 7
He took deep breath before replying. Band on est investigation, the Rainy Night Butcher chooses his victims at random. Age, marital status–pone of it matters. No one in safe”
The words seemed to knock the wind eat of Evan
He chatched his chest, roughing vidently as the reality of the situaties sank in
“I told you my mother screamed, her voice a mix of rage and heartbreak
I told you this would happen, but you didn’t care! All you cared about was her! About Lila! You never cared about Ava or Chloer
Her accusation was a dagger to the heart, and Evan had no defense.
He had no words
1 simply sat there, drowning in grailt
“It’s all my fault,” my mother sobbed. “I should never have let Ava marry you.”
Mom, it’s not your fault. It’s mine,” I whispered, though my voice couldn’t reach her.
I wished I could hold her, console her, but I was nothing more than a powerless spirit.
“It’s all my fault!” Lila suddenly cried, collapsing to the floor.
She wrapped her arms around her head, her voice rising hysterically.
If it weren’t for me, Ava wouldn’t have gone to the chapel This is all because of me!”
You home–wrecking witch! This is your fault! my mother screamed, grabbing a glass from the table and hurling it at Lila.
Evan stepped in, shielding Lila.
“Mom, stop! This has nothing to do with her. It was my decision. I’m the one to blame.”
“You” My mother’s voice trembled with rage. She slapped Evan hard across the face. “You’re a monster! Both of you are monsters!”
She sat in Lila’s direction before storming out of the room, her shoulders shaking with fury
grief.
Even stood there, stunned, while Lila began to sob even louder, playing the victim to perfection. Her performance was worthy of a
Oscar.
The officer intervened, gently guiding my mother away.
“Ma’am, we will find the person responsible. I promise we’ll get justice for your daughter and granddaughter.”
My mother nodded, casting one last look of disdain at Evan before leaving the station.
The police conducted further interviews with Lila and Evan, then finally released them.
I trailed behind as they returned home, my presence unseen and unfelt.
