Chapter 154 - Are you sure on that?

25 January, LY Studio, City K

Looking directly at Lexi, John could see the questions running through her mind on her face. Taking a breath, he said "Lexi, you know me. Be realistic, would I lie to you?"

Shaking her head, Lexi quietly said "Not normally, but you are also Matthew's friend. Given his position in the military and your position with the police there would be a reason for you to side with him and manipulate me."

Surprised, John said "Lexi!"

John paused and continued in a firm, but quiet voice "Lexi this is something that I would not lie to you about. With everything that I saw at the time and have seen subsequently I can be as sure as I am. Let me make it clear my view is that you were the target, not Matthew. I believe that there are connections to the ransom that was paid when Dominic was kidnapped. Despite you not being here, you know what happened."

"You should remember, I told both you and Chester my opinion. As a police officer that was simply not to pay the ransom that was demanded. But, as Dominic's godfather both then and now I understand the need to get him back as soon as possible. We all know the psychological impact on him of that, and it would have been worse the longer he was there. This, and the information you gave is confirmed our initial opinion that you were the target for money. You were lucky Matthew was there as he made sure you came back to all of us safely so in the end I will not argue or second guess the decisions he made."

"You are sure on that?"

"I am as sure as I can be. The military that have looked at the same data as I have seen, came to the same conclusion, but as you can guess we cannot be absolutely certain without having the mastermind in our custody."

"But you know Matthew is keeping me trapped in a marriage I do not want."

"Lexi you may not want the marriage now. However, you must look at your past and recognise that decisions that you made previously have consequences now. You must live with that, even if you regret it. I can understand your frustration about being trapped in a marriage that you do not want. I saw how that impacted Chester, and it was only because we were around him that he came out of that as normal as he has. But, there is nothing I can do, but at this time even if there was I would not interfere as you need to reconcile the past. But remember that I will always be here for you to vent your frustrations to, but …"

"Do not say it, John…"

"Lexi let me finish. My view, for what it is worth, is give your marriage a chance. You wanted to marry Matthew for a reason when you were younger…"

"But I married someone else…"

"Lexi do not kid me, I looked at the marriage records. For seventeen-year-olds the law only requires their parent or guardian to sign the marriage certificate, but either the seventeen-year-old signs it as well or there is evidence that they were present when the marriage certificate was issued. Your marriage certificate was unusual. You did not sign it, only your father did. Additionally, there was no evidence that you were even present when the certificate was issued."

"John, my marriage complied with the law."

"Lexi do not try and kid me. I saw you during your marriage. You were unhappy from the start and only seemed to stay there because you fell pregnant. I do not believe that it was something you wanted, and something happened there that hurt you. That makes you wary now."

"How …"

"Lexi I am a police officer; observation is important in the job. Give it a chance for a couple of years to see if it will work. If you are still unhappy then and want a divorce, I will do everything I can to help you, and I believe Matthew will grant you the divorce if that is the case. But even if he initially refuses your request, he will at least listen to me about this."

"But I need out now…"

"Lexi, that will not happen. Matthew is in control as the military member of whether a divorce can be granted but he will be reasonable if you give it a chance. As I understand it, he could have your marriage to Richard declared invalid but he has not done that. That tells you more than anything, as in the end he will be reasonable."

"Are you sure on that John? I cannot risk Dominic."

"As sure as I can be. I was speaking to Phillip the other day, after Dominic spent the weekend with him and Chester. Apparently, he could not stop raving about how he felt having a dad like Matthew, who cared for him and made him feel special. That tells me he will not hurt him."

"But that tells me he is attached and when we separate, he will be hurt…"

"Lexi, he will understand that sometimes a.d.u.l.t relationsh.i.p.s do not work out. He lived through Chester and Susan's divorce so he will cope. As I am not on duty this weekend, how about I pick him up tonight and return him Sunday lunch time. I can talk to him about everything and see if I can help him. That gives you and Matthew a chance to spend time together."

"Are you sure…?"

Before Lexi could continue there was a knock on her door, and her assistance showed Monica, Jessica and Sarah into her office. Before John could say anything Lexi quickly introduced him to the three of them and hearing their husband's names terrified John. If he was not careful his actual position in the police would be exposed and that would impact his family.

After taking his leave, John quickly headed to his car and called Matthew. After explaining the conversation with Lexi, he added "I need you to do a favour. I met Madam's Dang, Pang and Wang at Lexi's studio. Can you please…"

"Make sure you are protected when they encounter your further. Nor a problem."

-------

If you are reading this novel anywhere other than at or its apps then you are reading work that has been stolen in breach of the authors rights and those rights assigned to others.

Please support this author and only access this novel through at /book/15095783406874805 and report the illegal posting of this work.