Abandoned Wife Abandoned Daughter Novel by Lillian _ Novel



Abandoned Wife Abandoned Daughter Novel by Lillian _ Novel

Abandoned Wife Abandoned Daughter Chapter 01

The serial murder case I handled was overturned.
The furious families of the wrongly convicted stabbed me several times at my parents’ front door, demanding my life in exchange.
Ashamed, my family cut all ties with me.
I was convicted of gross negligence and spent eight years behind bars.
After my release, I hid away in a small coastal town, working as a fisherwoman. My life, at last, found a fragile peace.
But that hard-won tranquility was shattered the moment my ex-husband, Kendrick Gilford, showed up.
Now, he was a renowned Police Chief, celebrated for cracking countless mysterious cases over the years.
Outside, rain poured in sheets, and reporters crowded around my tiny cabin, shouting, “Ms. Lowell, Chief Gilford hasn’t married in eight years—he’s been waiting for you!”
I looked at Kendrick, standing in the crowd, basking in glory. All I could feel was bitter amusement.
No one knew that it was this very “devoted” Kendrick who, years ago, fabricated the wrongful case to help his lover win merit, then threw me under the bus to take the fall.
The cabin door stayed tightly shut, and the reporters, witnessing the scene, couldn’t help but feel sorry for Kendrick.
Kendrick himself remained calm and composed.
As the commotion outside grew louder, Jacob Reece, the owner of the fishing boat, nervously stepped out of the cabin and bowed to Kendrick. “C… Chief Gilford, we’re all honest folks here. We haven’t done anything wrong.
“This small town can’t handle someone as important as you. If you and your people don’t leave soon, we won’t be able to do business tomorrow.”
He finished, then called into the cabin, “Naomi, Chief Gilford came all this way to see you. Come out and meet him!”
“No need. Don’t force her.”
As I heard that voice, my hands paused over the fishing net, and the sharp nylon cord sliced a deep gash into my finger.
Even after all these years, hearing his voice still rattled me.
Knowing him as I did, the idea that he still carried a torch for me was ridiculous and laughable.
I knew in my heart that if I didn’t show myself, he wouldn’t let this go.
Thinking of Jacob, who’d always looked out for me, I sighed heavily and stood up, stepping out of the cabin.
The moment I appeared, the reporters surged forward, firing off questions one after another. “How does it feel to fall from a decorated police prodigy to a fisherwoman?”
“Chief Gilford is devoted to you. Are you avoiding him because you still resent him for exposing you back then?”
“Rumor has it your protégé hasn’t married in eight years, waiting for Chief Gilford. What do you think about that?”
The excited reporters pressed closer, their microphones jabbing at my face.
My gaze drifted past them and locked with Kendrick’s, who watched the chaos with cold detachment. My whole body went rigid.
As the questions grew sharper, I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
Frustrated by my silence, the reporters grew more aggressive, nearly knocking me over several times.
Just then, Kendrick pushed through the crowd and stood protectively in front of me.
His voice was cool, but left no room for argument. “These are private matters between me and her. We’re not answering any questions.
“These folks work hard for a living. Don’t disrupt them. Let’s disperse.”
Reluctantly, the reporters left.
I breathed a sigh of relief and turned to head back inside.
Kendrick spoke up, “Naomi…”
Struggling against the tension in my body, I looked up at him.
“What do you want, Chief Gilford?”
He paused at my formal address, then slowly asked, “All these years… have you… been well?”
Coming from him, that question was absurd.
I wanted to laugh, but the moment felt all wrong. He stepped closer, reaching out his hand.
I instinctively backed away, not noticing the bucket at my feet.
I fell awkwardly with a bang, sprawled on my back, my injured fingers scraping against the gravel, blood streaming out.
He rushed over, concern etched on his face, trying to help me up. “Are you alright? Here, let me help.”
But I scrambled away, leaning against the wall to stand on my own.
“I’m fine…”
Ignoring Jacob’s shocked expression, I hurriedly replied, “Chief Gilford, if there’s nothing else, I need to get back.
“I have to head out to sea first thing tomorrow…”
Kendrick’s eyes darkened with hurt as he reached for me. “Mimi, do we have to be this distant?
“You have no idea, all these years I…”
He was interrupted by a child’s voice. “Daddy, Mommy and I missed you so much!”
A child, about eight or nine years old, flung herself into Kendrick’s arms.
Luciana Mackenzie came over, supporting my parents, and took Kendrick’s hand with playful reproach.
“Ken, how could you visit my mentor and not invite me?
“Samantha and Nathaniel were so worried when they heard you came to a place this remote all by yourself.”
She smiled at me, looking down from her perch. “Naomi, don’t take it personally.
“The girl misses her Daddy, and this little one in my belly is restless, too.
“So we just want to stick close to Ken.”
My eyes involuntarily drifted to her flat stomach.
Thinking of what the reporters said, I couldn’t help but feel the irony.
Kendrick hadn’t married in eight years, supposedly waiting for me, yet he and Luciana had two children together, one already so grown.
I remembered, before I went to prison, Luciana had once been injured on the job and spent a year recovering at a rehab center.
Coincidentally, Kendrick was assigned elsewhere for a year at the same time.
No doubt, that was when their affair began.
And I, clueless, kept covering for Luciana and even let her take the credit.
Before I could say a word, Mom and Dad unleashed a torrent of accusations. “Naomi, how dare you show your face!
“You’ve disgraced us completely!”
“Three years ago, your father had a stroke. If Lucy hadn’t visited us regularly and rushed him to the hospital, he’d be dead by now!”
Looking at their graying hair and aged faces, I felt a pang of guilt for not being able to care for them all these years.
Seeing them defend Kendrick and Luciana stabbed my heart even deeper.
If they ever learned that the ones who framed me and took innocent lives were the very people they thanked—Kendrick and Luciana—I wondered how they’d feel.
Dad glared at me with utter disgust. “Ken, a daughter like her isn’t worth your trouble.
“If I’d done what she did, I’d be too ashamed to live!
“You shouldn’t even bother looking for her!”
Mom chimed in, her voice full of disdain, “We consider Lucy our only daughter now. You’re still our son-in-law.”
Jacob watched my parents’ furious faces. His gaze turned toward me growing even more and more bewildered.
After hearing all that, I had nothing left to say.
My trembling hands betrayed my emotions.
Kendrick noticed and explained with weary resignation, “These years, Samantha and Nathaniel have been the target of everyone’s scorn. Don’t blame them.”
He gently soothed Mom and Dad, and before leaving, turned to me. “What happened back then—I’ll always owe you.
“My number hasn’t changed. If you ever need help, just call.”

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