My Great Escape Led Me to You (Emily Blair) novel Chapter 874

Mrs. Austin’s voice trembled with anger. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Emily crossed her arms, unfazed. “Don’t you know? The day Isabella died, the police were already looking for her. Are you really going to pretend you don’t know what for?”

Mrs. Austin’s face paled; she clearly knew exactly what Emily meant. “You… you…”

Emily arched an eyebrow. “And still, you’re trying to pin Isabella’s death on me? Honestly, at your age, you should know better than to throw around wild accusations. If you want to know whether I’m innocent, ask the police instead of slinging mud at me.”

Mr. Austin steadied his wife, glancing at Emily. “Then what about Dennis? Are you saying children just make things up?”

Emily let out a short, bitter laugh. “And why not? Kids lie all the time.”

She looked past Mr. Austin to where Dennis was peeking out from behind him, her gaze sharp. “Hey, kid. Be honest—if it weren’t for me, you would’ve drowned that day.”

Regret flickered across her face. “If I’d known you’d turn the story around, I wouldn’t have bothered saving you. Maybe I should’ve just let you see what drowning feels like.”

Dennis shrank further behind Mr. Austin.

Mr. Austin scowled. “What are you getting at?”

Emily’s tone was lazy, arms still folded. “You two are his grandparents, yet you let him wander off alone by the ocean. He nearly drowned, and if I hadn’t happened to be there and pulled him out, you’d be dragging the search and rescue team out to fish his body out of the sea.”

She gestured to the damp hem of her shirt. “Why do you think my clothes were soaked? Did you ever think about that? Not only did I not get a thank you, now you’re accusing me of trying to hurt him.”

“I should be the one calling the police.”

The Austins both went ashen.

Mrs. Austin pulled Dennis closer, her grip tight. “Dennis, don’t lie. Tell us what really happened.”

Dennis hunched his shoulders, eyeing Emily warily.

Emily crouched down so they were eye to eye. “You know, telling lies can get little kids in big trouble with the police.”

Suddenly Dennis darted out from behind Mr. Austin. “No! You can’t call the police!”

Emily shot him a cool look. “If I’m such a villain, let the police come and arrest me. But if they find out I’m innocent, then they’ll know exactly who’s been lying.”

Dennis twisted his hands in his shirt, voice wavering. “I’m sorry! Okay?”

Emily pressed, “Not good enough. Tell your grandparents exactly what happened.”

Dennis pouted, face crumpling, and muttered, “Grandpa, Grandma, she saved me. She didn’t try to drown me. I was playing by the water on my own…”

When he finished, his eyes were red and he yelled at Emily, “I said it! Now don’t call the police!”

Emily tucked her phone away with a satisfied smile and looked at the Austins. “There you have it. The truth. Are you ready to apologize now?”

The Austins just stood there, faces dark and silent, clearly unwilling to say the words.