Marrying My Father's Enemy
Chapter 65: A Trail Of Blood

Chapter 65: A Trail Of Blood

Chapter 65; A Trail of Blood

Eira sat stiffly in the cold, sterile police station.

The air smelled faintly of coffee and bleach, and the faint buzz of fluorescent lights overhead only added to her worries.

Callian sat beside her with a jaw set tight, his lawyer on his other side, flipping through a thick stack of documents.

The officer across the table, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a tired expression, leaned forward.

His badge caught the light as he placed a file on the desk and opened it.

"This is the last footage we have of Liam Blackwood," the officer said, sliding a photo across the table.

Eira and Callian leaned in.

The grainy still showed Liam, hands in his pockets, standing outside a small building with a faded sign reading DNA Solutions.

He looked agitated, his face partially turned toward the camera, his eyes darting to the side.

"That’s a DNA testing center," the officer continued.

"He was last seen entering this building three weeks ago. We found traces of his blood inside, but after that..." The officer shrugged. "It’s like he vanished into thin air."

Eira’s heart burnt.

Her brother’s face stared back at her, frozen in time, and yet he felt so distant. "His blood?" she asked quietly. "How much?"

"Not enough to suggest a struggle or serious injury," the officer replied. "But enough to raise questions. It was found near the reception desk and a back hallway. We’re still running tests to determine how it got there."

Callian’s lawyer, a sharp-dressed man with a calm expression, cleared his throat. "And this is relevant to my client how?" he asked.

The officer didn’t flinch. "We’re exploring all angles. Mr. Callian Reed is Liam’s brother-in-law, and we have to ask questions about everyone connected to him."

Callian finally spoke. "I was in a coma during that time. My wife," he gestured to Eira, "was by my side in the hospital. You can verify that."

The lawyer nodded. "We’ve already provided the hospital’s security footage, timestamps, and witness statements. My client was incapacitated, and Mrs. Reed was accounted for as his caretaker. There’s no way they were involved."

The officer flipped through the file in front of him, pressing his lips. "We’re aware of that footage, Mr. Callian, but we still have questions. Liam’s connection to your family makes this situation... unusual."

Eira bristled. "Unusual how?"

The officer looked directly at her. "Why would Liam be at a DNA center? What was he doing there? And why did he leave blood behind? These are questions we need answers to."

Eira’s stomach churned.

She glanced at Callian, who was staring straight ahead.

The lawyer spoke. "Unless you have evidence linking my client or his wife to a crime, we’re done here. They’ve cooperated fully, and I won’t allow this to turn into baseless speculation."

The officer met the lawyer’s eyes for a moment, then exhaled heavily. "Fine. But if we uncover anything new, we’ll be in touch."

Callian stood, straightening his jacket. "We’re finished here," he said firmly, glancing at Eira. "Let’s go."

Eira rose silently, following him out of the room.

Outside the Station

The chill of the evening air hit Eira as they stepped outside.

The sky was a dull gray, and the faint sound of passing traffic filled the silence between them.

Callian turned to her. "Are you okay?"

Eira nodded, though her mind was far from calm. "I’m fine."

"Don’t let them get into your head," he said. "They don’t know anything. They’re fishing."

She nodded again, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She couldn’t forget the image of the photo—the DNA center, the blood.

"What was he doing there?" she murmured, almost to herself.

Callian frowned. "What?"

"The DNA center," Eira said in a stronger voice now. "Why was Liam there? What was so important that he went there?"

Callian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don’t know. It could’ve been anything. Maybe it’s not even relevant."

"No," Eira said, shaking her head. "It’s relevant. Liam doesn’t just go places like that for no reason. He was hiding or looking for something."

Callian didn’t respond right away, watching her carefully. "What are you thinking?"

Eira drifted to the horizon. "I don’t know yet," she admitted. "But I need to find out."

"Eira," Callian said, stepping closer. "Be careful. The police are already looking at us. You don’t need to dig into something that could make this worse."

"I don’t care what the police think. Liam’s my brother. And if he was in trouble—if something happened to him—I need to know why."

Callian hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Alright. But we do this smart. No reckless moves."

"We?" Eira raised a brow.

"Yes. We. You’re my wife."

"Your wife, but you somehow found your way to Vanesa’s bed." She smiled.

"You don’t understand... I didn’t sleep with her."

"Then why did she take these pictures with you?"

Callian looked around. "Because I was too drunk. I smashed my phone when you passed out. I called Mita to ask her to lend me her car so I could rush you to the hospital."

"That still doesn’t explain much."

"Eira, I promise..." Callian came closer. "I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. Vanesa saw me drunk and took advantage of me. But I dealt with it later."

"Why should I believe you, Callian?"

"Because I love you, Eira... I really do. So please, come back home."

"Your mother told me it’s best if I leave you alone so you could get married to Mita. And I agree with her, so I moved out."

Callian bit inside his cheek. "She did what?"

"Yes. She told me that you two were engaged before—"

"Yes, but I married you. I chose you, Eira. No matter the day or night, I will always choose you, not her. I swear."

Eira lowered her head and started playing with her hands.

Seeing Callian’s frustration gave her some butterflies in her belly. He cared, and a moment later, she realised that she really was way too dramatic over this situation.

"I’m sorry—"

Eira didn’t even get to finish her sentence when Callian’s lips were forced onto hers.

She felt his warm hands on her cheek. ’I really am stupid...’