Bloodbound: The Crimson Deception

Chapter 4: The Widow’s Relief

Rue sat at her desk, scanning the case files, the weight of each one pressing heavily on her mind. She could sense there was more to this case than just a heart attack. Reaching for her phone, she quickly dialed Althea.

“Send me the crime scene locations and the victims,” Rue ordered, voice sharp.

“On it,” Althea replied, typing in the background. Moments later, Rue’s phone buzzed with the details.

“Planning to head out now?” Althea asked.

“Right now. I’ve got it covered. No need to join me.”

“Stay safe,” Althea added before hanging up.

Rue grabbed her keys and wallet, stepping out into the cold air. The drive to the house felt unnervingly quiet, the street devoid of life. The house loomed ahead, its cracked façade standing in stark contrast to the otherwise calm neighborhood. Rue paused for a moment before walking up to the front door. Something about this house felt off.

She rang the doorbell, and the sound seemed to echo through the still morning. A widow opened the door, her face pale and eyes distant.

“I’m Rue Williams,” Rue introduced herself, flashing her ID. “I’m here to ask about your husband.”

The widow hesitated, her gaze shifting between Rue and the quiet figure standing behind her. Atreus had insisted on coming, and Rue had reluctantly agreed. He was silent, his presence looming but not intrusive. After a beat, the widow stepped aside, offering a strained smile.

“Please, come in,” she said softly.

Inside, the house was unsettlingly neat, as if frozen in time. Everything was perfectly arranged, but the absence of life was suffocating. Rue followed the widow into the living room, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of disturbance. Family portraits lined the walls—three children, but the most recent photos were missing the husband.

“Would you like something to drink?” the widow asked, her voice low. “Coffee? Juice?”

“Water’s fine,” Rue replied, offering a polite smile. The widow nodded and shuffled toward the kitchen.

Rue sat on the couch, her eyes constantly moving. There was something strange about the stillness in the house, a sense of emptiness that didn’t match the widow’s polite façade. Atreus stood near the window, his back to the room but his eyes never stopping their silent scan of the surroundings.

The widow returned with water, her hands trembling as she handed Rue the glass. She sat beside Rue, her body stiff with tension.

“My children are at school,” the widow said, almost as an afterthought. “It’s just me now.”

Rue took a sip of the water, her gaze never leaving the widow. “The cause of death was listed as a heart attack. Was there anything wrong with his health before?”

“No,” the widow replied quickly, too quickly. “He was a doctor—never had any health problems.”

Rue studied her carefully, the words didn’t match the look in her eyes. “How was your relationship?”

The widow’s eyes dropped, her lips thinning. “We were happy... no arguments. No fights. Everything was perfect.”

Rue let the silence linger. Finally, the widow spoke, her voice tight, as if the words were being dragged out of her.

“But then... he cheated.”

Rue’s pulse quickened. “How long?”

“After our last child was born,” the widow answered. “I didn’t know at first, but I found out. I should’ve left him. I didn’t... I stayed—for the children.”

Rue’s expression remained unchanged as she processed the woman’s words. She let the widow continue, knowing that the real story was only beginning.

“I stayed... for them,” the widow repeated, her voice losing its steadiness. “But when he died... I didn’t feel sad. I didn’t grieve.”

Rue’s brow furrowed. “You felt relief.”

The widow’s lips curled into a faint, twisted smile. “You can only carry so much. And when it all becomes too much, relief is all that’s left.”

Rue’s stomach tightened. She glanced at Atreus, who remained motionless by the window, his sharp eyes betraying his own unease.

Rue set the glass down, her mind racing. “And you’re not mourning?”

The widow’s smile grew, her eyes cold. “I’m free. Free of a burden I didn’t even realize I was carrying.”

Rue stood, feeling the weight of the room closing in on her. Atreus followed her without a word, his presence unspoken but powerful. The widow didn’t stop them, only watching them as they made their way to the door.

“Thank you for your time,” Rue said, her voice steady but laced with tension.

The widow didn’t respond, her gaze unwavering as Rue and Atreus stepped outside. The door clicked shut behind them, and Rue felt the oppressive weight of the widow’s eyes following them down the path.

Atreus didn’t speak immediately as they walked toward the car, but Rue could feel his thoughts churning. The air around them felt colder now.

“What do you think?” Rue asked softly.

Atreus exhaled, his eyes still scanning the street. “She’s hiding something. But it’s not just about her husband’s death.”

Rue nodded. The truth was unraveling slowly, and she could feel it in her bones: something darker was at play here. She caught a glimpse of Atreus’ unreadable expression, knowing he was as aware as she was that they had only just scratched the surface.