“It's because you're hiding something, something that they uncovered and are now using against you...”

"No." Her voice held a resolute edge. "I haven't done anything wrong. I agreed to pay the blackmailer as a means to catch them, not out of guilt." Divya fought back, her eyes locking with Forrest's.

His brow furrowed deeply as he retorted, "You Liar!" “I swear I'm not!" Divya knew she had to deny any wrongdoing. Else, if she admitted even the slightest hint of guilt, Forrest's trust in her would develop into hatred she couldn't imagine.

Furthermore, she couldn't keep her secrets about Laura from him any longer. The truth would surface sooner or later!

“I can confront the person who sent me the messages. I swear upon my life that I have never acted inappropriately. If I'm lying, may the most terrible fate befall me! Please believe me!"

Divya raised her hand as if swearing.

Forrest hesitated, torn between doubt and the desire to believe in his wife.

“Divya, we're bound by marriage. I don't want animosity between you and Laura. Tell me, do you know where the hell she is?"

Meeting his gaze, Divya responded, “Now that we are married, why would I try to be smart against her?"

He struggled to find a retort, silenced by his own doubts.

"But..." he began, his voice trailing off.

“When will you start placing your trust in me? What must I do to earn your trust? I am willing to go to any lengths to gain your trust,"

Divya pleaded, realizing that Forrest could be the one behind the messages she received.

Perhaps he sent them to gauge her reaction, to test her Loyalty. Perhaps he had made a finding.

However, without concrete evidence, he couldn't confront her outright. If he had solid evidence in his hand, he would have thrown it in her face!

Instead of just questioning her!

This offered her a chance to turn the tables.

But she needed to remain composed and articulate her defense.

She regarded Forrest with a mixture of pity and desperation.

“Someone is framing me. If you have any evidence, show it to me now."

Forrest fell into silence, his thoughts spinning.

“You responded to the messages. That much is true..

“Yes, I did respond. I promised to pay that person. But what does it prove? I've already explained that I only intended to trap them by going along. I feared that others would follow suit if the blackmailer succeeded in extorting money from me..." Divya countered, her tone laced with frustration.

“Humph!" Forrest glared at Divya.

“Even without concrete evidence, I'm not naive. Your agreement to pay the blackmailer implies guilt! You know deep down whether you've done something that haunts your conscience. If you want my forgiveness, tell me where Laura is. Perhaps then I will consider forgiving you."