The Woman He Married

40. You love me, no?

"Another negative," Mae said as she exhaled calmly, passing him the third pregnancy test kit she took. "The period irregularities might be stress or something."

"You seem relieved," Zane pointed out.

"After what happened, I had to feel relieved that we're not pregnant," Mae told him.

"Right," Zane nodded, "I would be worried if you were, too. I might have to send you off to Italy with the kids, at least the boys will be there to take care of you, and you'll have Alaia."

"But danger is everywhere," Mae told him, humming softly as he pulled her by the waist and into his embrace.

"At least it's a little further away," he said. "I've talked to the detective. They're currently interrogating my friends and family. Hopefully it'll get settled soon."

"I hope so, too. I'm worried about the kids. I don't feel safe letting them out of the house, knowing the culprit is out there."

"We'll figure out ways to have fun indoors," Zane pondered. "I'm glad mom's here."

"Me too." She wrapped her arms around his neck and he hoisted her legs up his waist.

"Before the kids wake up, let's try for a baby again," he murmured against her cheek.

"I thought you're stressed out by what happened?"

"That's why I need you the most right now," he sighed immediately after they heard the doorbell ringing. "Are we expecting visitors?"

"None that I'm aware of," Mae frowned. She head out with him and met Isla at the stairs while the woman was on her way back to her bedroom. "Are you expecting a visitor?"

"I wouldn't be in my pajamas if I was expecting a visitor at this hour," Isla pointed out. "I'll check the kids and keep them inside."

"Yes, please. Thank you," Mae smiled softly, seeing her off before she followed Zane to the door. She found him standing by the intercom, quietly staring at the screen where a guest was seen standing outside the door through the camera. "What's wrong?" Mae asked.

Zane put his index finger to his lips, asking her to be quiet. Mae looked at the screen and saw Ruth standing outside with an unbothered smile on her face.

"What is she doing here?" Mae whispered.

"I have no idea. I don't think we should let her in," Zane exhaled softly, folding his arms under his chest. "Or should I talk to her outside?"

"Don't," Mae shook her head. "You heard what the detective said the other day, we should refrain from accepting visitors for the time being."

"But she won't leave. She knows we're home. I didn't park the car inside the garage."

"Of all days, she just came at the perfect timing," Mae scoffed sarcastically. Zane's car usually parked in the garage, but he was ecstatic to see the kids when they arrived home yesterday so he'd forgotten to move it into the garage for privacy. "It's almost like she was stalking us, huh?"

Zane grabbed Mae's hand and took a step back into the house, "I'll talk to her."

"No," Mae shook her head. "Don't. She will leave, eventually."

"She won't."

"No."

"Mae."

"Zane, no." Mae shook her head, "No visitors. We have the kids in this house."

"I might get the chance to dig the truth, Mae. For as long as we know, she has a reason to hurt us unlike the others we suspected."

"Yes, that's why I said no. We don't know what's inside her head. She was gone for almost five years, and her showing up at the door like this, out of nowhere, is definitely not a good sign. She might be up to something and I don't want you or anyone else to get hurt."