Cold metal wrapped around my wrists as handcuffs snapped shut.
Tears spilled down my cheeks as I turned to Xavier. “Xavier, please..”
He clenched his jaw, his eyes filled with barely restrained fury. “I won’t let this happen.”
The officer read me my rights as they pulled me toward the door.
Michael smirked, watching me with satisfaction.
Susan had framed me. And now, I was being dragged away for a crime I didn’t commit.
“Let go of me!” I struggled as the officers dragged me toward the police car, my wrists bound tightly in cold metal cuffs.
My heart pounded, my breath coming in short gasps. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
One moment, I was in the garden, the next, covered in blood with Susan screaming in pain.
And now, I was being arrested for something I didn’t do.
“Wait!” Xavier’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp with anger.
He pushed through the policemen, his face dark with fury. “You can’t take my wife away!”
The officer restraining me didn’t even flinch. “Step back, sir,” he said sternly.
“She’s innocent!” Xavier’s voice was firm, unwavering.
“If you interfere, we’ll arrest you too,” another officer warned, his tone leaving no room for
argument.
I shook my head at Xavier, my voice trembling. “Let me go.”
His jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists, but he nodded reluctantly.
“I’ll be right behind you,” he promised.
As they shoved me into the backseat of the police car, I locked eyes with him through the
window.
His face was filled with fury and worry.
***
The police station was cold and unwelcoming, its harsh fluorescent lights making everything feel surreal.
They took my fingerprints, snapped a mugshot, and led me to a small holding cell with iron
bars.
Xavier arrived soon after, his face tense with worry. He gripped the bars, his knuckles white. “I’m getting you out of here.”
16:51 Sat, 22 Mar CC70.
“I know,” I whispered, trying to stay strong.
* 53%
Hours passed. The distant hum of the station filled the silence. The scent of stale coffee and old papers hung in the air.
Then, familiar voices echoed down the hall.
My grandparents.
“Rachel!” My grandmother rushed toward the cell, her eyes brimming with worry. “Are you alright, my dear?”
“I’m fine,” I assured her, though my voice wavered slightly.
Grandfather’s face was grim. “We tried to post bail, but they won’t process it until tomorrow.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “It’s okay.”
“We’re so sorry,” Grandmother said, reaching through the bars to squeeze my hands.
I forced a small smile. “I’ll be fine.”
Xavier crossed his arms, his jaw tight. “I’m staying here.”
The officer on duty frowned. “You can’t.”
Xavier shot him a glare. “Watch me.”
He sat on the bench outside my cell, refusing to leave. Hours stretched on, but he didn’t
move.
Eventually, the officers made him go.
Before leaving, he leaned in close. “I’ll be outside in the car,” he whispered.
**
The next morning, the sound of approaching footsteps made me sit up.
Maria.
And Susan.
They stood in front of my cell, their eyes gleaming with amusement.
“Well, well,” Maria smirked. “How does it feel?”
Susan let out a soft chuckle. “You walked right into our trap.”
My stomach twisted. “You set me up.”
Maria tilted her head, feigning innocence. “Did we?”
Susan folded her arms. “That’s what you get for sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
My fingers curled into fists. “You’re sick.”
Maria’s smirk widened. “Maybe. But you’re the one sitting in a cell.”
I shot them a glare, my patience running thin. “What do you want?”
Susan leaned in, her voice a whisper. “You won’t be so lucky next time.”
20
De Warned!
2/4
98.3%
16:51 Sat, 22 Mar Co.
Before I could respond, a policeman approached.
Susan sighed dramatically. “I’ve had a change of heart.”
I froze.
ས
52%
“I don’t want to press charges,” she said sweetly, her voice dripping with false kindness. “I’m dropping everything.”
The officer gave her a skeptical look but nodded. “You’re free to go, Mrs Crawford.”
María smirked. “Guess today’s your lucky day.”
I stepped out of the cell, my head held high despite the storm brewing inside me.
I wouldn’t let them see me break.
Maria and Susan followed behind me, whispering to each other, their giggles sending a chill down my spine.
Xavier was waiting outside, his posture stiff, his eyes scanning the station’s entrance.
The moment he saw me, relief flashed across his face.
“Rachel,” he exhaled, pulling me into his arms.
I buried my face in his chest, inhaling his familiar scent. “I didn’t do it,” I whispered, my voice cracking.
“I know,” he murmured, his arms tightening around me.
A mocking voice interrupted the moment.
Maria.
“There won’t be a second chance,” she said smoothly, stepping forward.
Susan crossed her arms. “Back off, Rachel. Or next time, you won’t walk away.”
Xavier stepped forward, shielding me behind him. His voice was cold. “Stay away from her.”
Maria smirked. “Quid pro quo, Xavier.”
I frowned. “Was that a threat?”
Xavier’s expression darkened. “It means they know what happened to my mother.”
A heavy silence settled between us.
Maria’s eyes gleamed with something sinister. “You should’ve left things alone.”
Susan smirked. “But you didn’t. And now, you’ve got a war on your hands.”
My pulse quickened.
María leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. “Be careful, Rachel. You might not like how this ends.”
Then, without another word, she and Susan turned on their heels and walked away.
I let out a shaky breath, my hands trembling. “Xavier…”
His grip on my waist tightened. “I won’t let them hurt you.”
16:51 Sat, 22 Mar
The moment he saw me, reliet flashed across his face.
“Rachel,” he exhaled, pulling me into his arms.
352%
I buried my face in his chest, inhaling his familiar scent. “I didn’t do it,” I whispered, my
voice cracking.
“I know,” he murmured, his arms tightening around me.
A mocking voice interrupted the moment.
Maria.
“There won’t be a second chance,” she said smoothly, stepping forward.
Susan crossed her arms. “Back off, Rachel. Or next time, you won’t walk away.”
Xavier stepped forward, shielding me behind him. His voice was cold. “Stay away from her.”
Maria smirked. “Quid pro quo, Xavier.”
I frowned. “Was that a threat?”
Xavier’s expression darkened. “It means they know what happened to my mother.”
A heavy silence settled between us.
Maria’s eyes gleamed with something sinister. “You should’ve left things alone.”
Susan smirked. “But you didn’t. And now, you’ve got a war on your hands.”
My pulse quickened.
Maria leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. “Be careful, Rachel. You might not like
how this ends.”
Then, without another word, she and Susan turned on their heels and walked away.
I let out a shaky breath, my hands trembling. “Xavier..”
His grip on my waist tightened. “I won’t let them hurt you.”
【To be continued, I am working hard on writing. Please wait for my update. I love you~~)
