Chapter 5

• A knock broke the silence.
• Sam turned his head toward the door. “Come in,” he said.
• The door opened, but instead of a doctor or family member, two police officers walked in.
• Sam frowned. “This is unexpected,” he said. “What is the reason for your visit?”
• One of the officers stepped forward. “We received a complaint from Miss Helena Salvador against a woman named Julie Williams,” he said. “We are here to ask a few questions, if she is able to respond.”
• Sam’s confusion deepened, he looked at Helena.
• She looked just as surprised. “I did not file any complaint,” she said weakly.
• The officers exchanged a glance.
• Before they could explain, A voice came from the doorway.
• “We filed it on her behalf.”
• Everyone turned.
• Helena’s parents walked in, behind them were Sam’s parents.
• The atmosphere in the room changed instantly.
• “Why would you do that?” Helena asked, her voice filled with confusion. “She is my sister.”
• Her mother stepped closer, her expression firm. “That girl does not deserve your kindness,” she said. “She pushed you. You could have died.”
• Sam’s mother nodded in agreement. “You should let the law deal with her,” she added. “People like her do not change.”
• Helena looked conflicted. She stayed quiet for a moment.
• The pressure in the room grew.
• Everyone watched her, waiting for her reply.
• Finally, she gave a small nod. “If it is for the best…” she said softly.
• The officers began taking notes.
• Sam stepped forward. “I would also like to file a complaint,” he said.
• All eyes turned to him.
• “For what?” Helena asked.
• His expression hardened. “For being drugged,” he replied. “And for what happened in that hotel room.”
• The words were clear, he was accusing Julie.
• “I do not remember anything from that night,” he continued. “But I know I would never…” He stopped himself.
• The officer nodded. “We will include your statement.”
• When everything was done, the officers left.
• …….
• A few hours later, Sam stepped out to take a call.
• The test results had arrived, he read through them quickly.
• His expression darkened, the report confirmed his suspicion, there were traces of drugs in his system.
• His hand tightened around the paper. “So it is true,” he muttered.
• Anger surged through him. And without thinking, he slammed his fist against the wall.
• Pain shot through his hand, but he did not react, all he could think about was Julie.
• “She planned this,” he said under his breath with no doubt in his mind.
• He returned to the room, his decision already made. “She will pay for this,” he thought.
• ……
• At Julie’s side, a loud knock came from the door.
• Her heart started beating faster, something felt wrong.
• She walked toward the door and opened it.
• Two police officers stood outside.
• Julie froze for a second.
• “Miss Julie Williams?” one of them asked.
• Her throat went dry. “Yes…”
• “You are under arrest.”
• The words hit her like a storm, and before she could process them, they continued.
• “For attempted murder, and for charges filed by Mr. Sam Parker.”
• Julie’s vision blurred. “What…?” she whispered. “That’s not true…” she added quickly.
• But the officers stepped forward. “We have orders. Please cooperate.”
• Julie shook her head. “No… there must be a mistake…” Her voice trembled.
• She looked around her house for help, for something, anything to lean on. But she saw non, she turned to the officers. “There is no proof,” she said calmly.
• “That will be decided in court,” one officer replied.
• Julie’s hands started shaking. “This cannot be happening…” she whispered.
• But it was.
• The officer took out handcuffs.
• Julie stepped back instinctively. “Please… I didn’t do anything…” Her voice broke.
• The officer’s expression hardened.
• The cold metal touched her wrist.
• Click.
• The sound echoed in her ears. It was real and it felt like the end.
• Her eyes filled with tears again.
• She looked around the room again, at the place she felt at home and safe.
• As the officers led her toward the door, she lowered her head slightly and whispered. “Patrick…” she called softly as if he could hear her. “I’m innocent…” she cried.
• …..
• The police car moved forward.
• Julie sat in the back seat, her hands still in handcuffs.
• She stared ahead, her eyes were open, but she was not really seeing anything.
• Everything felt distant, like she was watching someone else’s life fall apart.
• The city passed by outside the window.
• People walking, and talking.
• None of them knew what was happening to her, and none of them cared.
• Her chest felt tight, she slowly looked down at her hands.
• The cold metal around her wrists felt too heavy.
• “I didn’t do anything…” she whispered to herself.
• But the words were useless. No one was there to hear them, and no one was there to believe them.
• ……
• At the same time, Inside a large, quiet house, Helena stood in front of a mirror.
• She was discharged from the hospital.
• She looked calm, too calm for someone who was sick.
• Her reflection showed no pain, no weakness, only anger.
• Behind her, Celine watched carefully. “You went too far this time,” Celine said.
• Helena did not turn. “Did I?” she asked softly. Her voice carried no doubt.
• Celine crossed her arms. “She has been arrested,” she said. “Isn’t that enough?”
• Helena smiled faintly. “Enough?” she repeated.
• She turned slowly, her eyes were cold. “This is just the beginning,” she said.
• Celine felt a slight chill. Even she was not used to seeing her daughter like this. “You planned everything,” she said slowly.
• Helena walked toward her, step by step. “Yes,” she replied simply.
• Celine studied her. “Why?” she asked again.
• Helena stopped, for a brief moment, her expression turned sharper. “She exists,” she said.
• Celine frowned. “That’s not a reason.”
• Helena tilted her head slightly. “It is for me.”
• They became silent.
• Then Helena walked past her. “I warned you before,” she said calmly. “She should have disappeared a long time ago.”
• Celine did not respond.
• ……..
• Back at the police station, Julie was led inside.
• The sound of her footsteps felt louder than usual.
• Every step echoed in her ears.
• People looked at her. Some were curious, some were judgmental.
• She lowered her gaze, she did not want to see their faces.
• “Sit,” one officer said.
• Julie obeyed and sat down slowly.
• Her hands rested on the table, still shaking.
• Another officer placed some papers in front of her. “You have been charged with attempted murder,” he said.
• Julie looked up quickly. “That’s not true,” she said, her voice was weak, but firm. “I didn’t do anything.”
• The officer did not react. “As well as rape and illegal drug use,” he continued.
• Julie froze. “What…?” she shouted.
• Her heart started racing. “That’s a lie,” she said louder. “How can I…”
• “That is what has been reported,” he interrupted.
• Julie shook her head. “This is wrong… everything is wrong…”
• Her breathing became uneven, she tried to stay calm, she had to.
• “If there’s an investigation, you’ll see the truth,” she said.
• The officer leaned back slightly. “That depends.”
• Julie frowned. “On what?”
• He did not answer, Instead, he stood up and left the room.
• Julie sat there alone. The silence felt heavy. She felt small and trapped. It seemed like no matter what she said, it would matter.