Reborn In a Murderer’s Embrace (Dexter and Phoebe) novel Chapter 351

I was totally gobsmacked. My jaw practically hit the floor.

I glanced between Zoe and Colin in disbelief.

Is this even real?

"Zoe, he's my husband," I tried to clarify, hoping to sway her perspective.

But Zoe just mumbled, head bowed. "It's not like we haven't shared a bed before."

I froze, thinking I had misheard, and anxiously stared at Zoe. "What did you say?"

"I've shared a bed with Colin," Zoe stated matter-of-factly.

My gaze instinctively flicked back to Colin. He remained on edge, as if he had anticipated Zoe's wild claims all along.

He clasped his hands together, explaining calmly, "She's talking about sharing a bed in the literal sense, not what you're thinking."

I was baffled. "Literal sense? What are you talking about?"

"Back at the orphanage, me, Carter, and her often slept in the same bed, but it was just sleeping. That's the literal sense," Colin explained through gritted teeth. "When I'm with you, and we have our baby, that's the other sense."

I took a deep breath, my frustration mounting.

Zoe, still oblivious, went on. "He shared a bed with Carter too, and Phoebe shared a bed with Carter as well."

I massaged my forehead, overwhelmed by her shocking statements.

Colin, visibly upset, snapped, "Answer the question when you're asked!"

Zoe seemed genuinely scared of Colin, her voice timid. "Okay, got it."

"Do you remember the construction worker who lived across us, the one who jumped?" I asked softly.

Zoe nodded earnestly. "Yeah, I remember."

"Do you recall if anyone visited him before he... you know?" I pressed anxiously.

Zoe shook her head. "How would I remember?"

"Let's go home," Colin suggested hastily, grabbing my hand as if eager to leave.

Zoe, head tilted, watched me with a puzzled smile. "Phoebe... is the culprit."

Colin froze, his expression turning icy. He turned back to Zoe.

Zoe retreated, cowering and clutching her head.

I was shocked. "What did she just say?"

Colin shook his head. "I didn't catch it."

Zoe continued to murmur, "Phoebe is the culprit... Phoebe is the culprit..."

But I heard her. Zoe was accusing me. Was she still blaming me for taking Colin away, for Carter's death? But that fire wasn't my fault.

Sighing, I whispered, "Colin, why didn't you let Eric take her away? After all, she is Carter's sister."