Stolen Identity: Mute Heiress

Chapter 358: Don’t Believe Her

Chad stirred slowly as pain pulled him awake. His chest felt heavy, tight, like someone had tied a rope around him. He groaned and tried to move, but his body refused.

"Chad," Venita whispered.

His eyes opened properly then when he heard her voice.

Venita sat beside the bed, her fingers wrapped around his hand like she was afraid he might disappear. Her eyes were swollen and red. Tear tracks stained her cheeks.

"Where’s Jax?" Chad asked, his voice rough and dry as his eyes settled on with you

Venita sniffed. "He was with you for a long time. He just stepped out to freshen up in his bedroom."

Chad shut his eyes and breathed out slowly. "Is he... still very upset?"

Venita nodded. Her lips trembled. "He said when you recover, he wants us both out of his house."

Chad swallowed hard. His grip tightened weakly around her fingers. "We should have trusted him more," he said quietly. "We messed up. We shouldn’t have done that to Mari. I messed up."

Venita broke. She bent forward and cried into her free hand, her shoulders shaking. "It’s me. It’s all my fault. I caused it all."

Chad frowned. "You were scared..."

"No, not that," she said shaking her head. "Do you know how the cartel found Dad? Do you know it was me?" she sobbed.

"What has that got to do with you?"

"It was because of me," she cried. "The viral video I posted. The one where I talked about Dad’s past. Mr Alex told me earlier. He said I caused everything. He said Dad told the cartel he was alive, hoping they’d spare him. I’m the reason everything happened."

Chad’s brows pulled together. "Did Jax confirm it? If that was what happened, surely he would know."

Venita nodded. "He did. He didn’t say it, but I could tell." Her voice cracked. "What do I do now, Chad? I ruined everything. Jax hates us. He’s throwing us out and cutting us off."

Chad took a deep breath, fighting the pain in his chest. "We should apologies and take responsibility. That’s the only way. Let’s ask Mari for forgiveness. If she can forgive us maybe Jax would too."

Just then Venita’s phone buzzed on the bed.

She glanced at the screen and sighed. "It’s Diva. She keeps calling. I don’t know what to say to her."

"Block her," Chad said firmly. "If you want Jax to listen to us, Diva has to be gone. She played a major role in all of this."

Venita nodded and unlocked her phone, but before she could block the number, a text came in.

Diva>: What’s going on? I’m worried. I’m on my way.

Venita’s heart dropped and she looked up at Chad. "She’s coming over. What should I do?" she whispered.

Chad shook his head. "Jax must not see her here. You have to stop her. Call her and ask her not to come."

Venita called Diva and the call connected almost immediately. "What’s going on?"

"You don’t have to come over. Everything is fine..."

"Too late. I’m almost there already. Why do you sound like you’ve been crying? Is Jax fine? How is Chad doing?"

Venita stood up at once. "They’re okay," she said then hung up. "She’s almost here," she informed Chad.

"Then go out and make sure she doesn’t come inside," Chad urged her, trying to sit up.

"Stay calm. I’ll handle it." She hurried out of the room immediately.

A moment later she was outside the house, walking past the security men stationed outside to the gate.

Although the sky was dark and the night air was cold, she stood out there in the silence of the night.

Her brows pulled together when a cab pulled over less than a minute later. She wondered why Diva came in a cab but stepped forward wanting to make sure Diva returned in the cab.

Her frown deepened when Mari stepped out of the cab instead of Diva. "Mari?" Venita said, startled.

Mari rushed toward her after paying the driver. "Venita! Oh my God. I’m so glad you’re okay. I was so worried you were taken because of me."

Venita stiffened as Mari embraced her. "Why are you here this late? Does Jax know you are coming?"

"No," Mari said, stepping back. "Is he inside?"

Venita nodded. "Yes."

"You look like you’ve been crying for a while. Is everything okay? Is Chad fine?" Mari asked with concern.

Before Venita could respond, headlights flashed.

Diva’s car pulled up fast and stopped in front of them. Then the door flew open.

"Why weren’t you taking my calls?" Diva asked as she stepped out. Then her eyes landed on Mari and narrowed with displeasure as she looked her over. "It’s a shame you’re still alive. I thought the cartel would’ve taken care of you by now."

Mari’s stomach dropped. "What?" She asked, shocked that Diva would say something so hateful to her no matter how much she disliked her.

"Go inside, Mari," Venita said to Mari politely.

Diva raised a brow, "Why are you out here with her? Is she your friend now? Is that the reason you were ignoring my calls?"

Venita stepped forward. "This is none of your business. Please leave. I don’t want Jax to see you here."

Diva’s eyes flashed. "What’s wrong with you? I came over because I was worried sick. And now you’re acting strange."

"Diva, please leave," Venita repeated then turned to Mari who was still standing there. "Go inside."

"I’ll just wait for you," Mari said, not sure it was a good idea to leave Venita alone with Diva.

"Have you been smoking or taking drugs?" Mari asked, looking at Diva’s wild eyes.

Instead of answering she pointed at Mari. "If I were you, I wouldn’t step foot into the house of people who sold you out to save themselves."

"What are you talking about?" Mari asked slowly.

"Shut up, Diva!" Venita snapped.

But Diva wasn’t done. "Didn’t you find it strange?" Diva pressed. "That they all conveniently left you alone in the house when the attack happened? Chad’s girl would’ve finished you off. You’re lucky you survived."

Blood drained from Mari’s face. "Is that true?" Mari whispered, feeling confused and betrayed as she looked at Venita, expecting her to deny it, but Venita only looked away guiltily.

Mari’s chest burned. So that was it. That was why Jax had been cold.

Mari turned and walked away without another word.

Seeing that Mari seemed to have accepted Diva’s story, Venita shook her head fast. "Mari, don’t go. Don’t listen to her. That’s not how it happened. Don’t believe her. You should hear from Jax."

"I don’t care if you listen or not," Diva called to Mari. "I’m done with this family of users and backstabbers."

"Mari!" Venita called, panic rising in her voice. She tried to follow, but Mari didn’t stop.

Venita spun and ran back inside in search of Jax to tell him what had just happened and that Mari was leaving..

Annoyed by everything, Diva got back into her car and drove off.

She drove past, satisfied that Mari had listened to her and was leaving, but then she looked at the mirror in time to see that Mari seemed to have changed her mind and was walking back towards Jax’s house.

She stopped the car immediately and then reversed it when an idea hit her and her lips curved with an evil smirk.

She placed her foot on the gas pedal as and sped towards Mari.