"How dare you steal from us?" Leah's voice was cold, laced with quiet fury and subtle fear.
Without warning, she struck Selina across the face.
A sharp sound filled the room. Selina's head jerked to the side, her cheek burning from the sudden blow.
Clarissa gasped softly, eyes wide. From the hallway, whispers and murmurs began to stir among the onlookers.
Selina pressed her trembling fingers to her cheek. She had never seen Leah this angry—never imagined she would raise a hand against her someday.
"How did Hudson lose his assets overnight, without a trace? Is it connected to that incident? Answer me." Leah demanded an explanation, her head spinning with thoughts she had feared did come true.
Selina blinked back tears. She had prepared herself for this, but the weight still surprised her. She hadn't expected Zane to act so swiftly, or Leah to find out.
"Yes... it's connected," Selina admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Leah's eyes narrowed, her brows drawing together in frustration and simmering anger. "How could you keep this from us? If I hadn't checked with his attorney, you'd have stayed quiet, wouldn't you?"
"I didn't want to add to the stress to you all after what happened to Father. I was going to tell you."
"You think I'm so naïve? I know what happened to Hudson isn't just a minor incident. You wanted him out of the way so you could get your hands on his wealth. Don't deny it, you and your little accomplices planned this from the start." Leah accused, her voice dripped with fear.
Selina froze, her jaw slack with disbelief.
Selina swiftly shook her head in disagreement. "No, Madame Leah. I swear, I didn't claim the assets, and those people. Those people are not my accomplices. I can't—" she started, but Leah cut her off sharply.
"Enough." Leah snapped, her voice slicing through the air. "You wormed your way back into Hudson's life after being an outcast, but he was too softhearted to keep you by his side."
Selina turned to Clarissa. "Clarissa, you believe me, don't you?"
Clarissa nodded. "I know you didn't do this."
Leah's frown deepened, glaring at Selina "How dare you manipulate her to side with you?"
"Mom, please," Clarissa pleaded quickly. "Not here. People are watching."
"Why not here? Will you still reserve her true nature from people to see who she truly is?"
Clarissa shook her head. "Let's go home and discuss this calmly." She suggested, glancing across the onlookers recording.
Leah smirked, though her fear hiding beneath her anger didn't fade. "Sure. This matter must be resolved because I've reported this little thief to the police. Let's see how she manages to run with what she's taken. Nor should she be let scot-free for harming my husband."
The word "police" echoed coldly in Selina's head as she could hear the sirens whining in a distant, approaching.
"Custody? What are you doing, Mom?" Clarissa's voice cracked, confusion and disbelief clear.
"Clarissa, you're so naïve. Selina is not as innocent as you think,"
"Mom, you can't just arrest her without proof." Clarissa's words trembled with frustration.
She quickly took Selina's hand, steadying her silent shock.
"I'm here for you, Selina. We'll figure this out. Together," she promised.
Selina lowered her gaze blurred by tears on their joined hands, utterly awestruck and humiliated as she struggled to process what was happening. She stumbled to keep pace with Clarissa, who was already scanning for a way out.
But Leah was fast, grabbing Clarissa's arm and pulled her back.
"What do you think you're doing?" Leah demanded sharply.
"I'm leaving with her," Clarissa replied, her voice steady but filled with a quiet determination.
Leah yanked Selina and Clarissa's hands apart. "Clarissa, don't be foolish,"
At that moment, the door opened, and three police officers entered, nodding at Leah before the senior officer stepped forward.
"We've received the arrest warrant you issued. Please show us the suspect." the officer said, professional and direct.
Leah pointed at Selina. "There she is."
Selina opened her mouth to protest, but the weight of Leah's allegations crushed the truth before they formed.
The officer held up the warrant, voice steady as he read: "You are under arrest for charges related to the incident involving Hudson Everett and for defrauding him of his assets. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law."
Another officer moved to cuff Selina's hands behind her back, sealing the injustice against her.
"Take her away," the officer ordered, eyes fixed on Selina as they led her toward the door.
"I'll get you out, Selina. I promise," Clarissa vowed softly, following close behind.
Selina glanced at Clarissa, a mix of gratitude and pain in her eyes. The truth was heavy and unspoken, gnawing at her from within. It was as though a huge stone lingered in her chest, tightening and unbearable.
Selina lowered her gaze to the handcuffs around her wrists, wondering if she would ever feel truly protected by the family she thought she had. Or if they would continue to abandon her, treating her unjustly for things she hadn't done.
As she was escorted out of the hospital, the weight of the cameras and the whispers of onlookers lingered behind.
A few murmurs swirled around them.
"Isn't that Hudson's daughter and wife?"
"Why are the police here?"
"She's the waitress from Eternal Ember, right?"
"How could someone so innocent be capable of such wickedness?"
"What did I just witness?"
Selina tried her best to ignore their murmuring as the police led her inside their truck and then drove off.
Clarissa didn't expect her mother would go this far. She turned to her mother.
"Mom, what you did to Selina wasn't right. Please, release her," she spoke softly, attempting not to sound rude.
Leah wore a stern expression, keeping her emotions in check. "Don't be defiant to your mother over a girl who isn't a family."
"Selina is my sister. We're related by blood and she's still a family to me." Clarissa retorted in a calm tone.
Leah scoffed, glaring away. It was a good thing that few people recorded what just happened.
Clarissa's gaze hardened, seeing her mother's determination. "If you won't do the right thing, I will."
Leah's eyes flicked comprehending what Clarissa had in mind. She couldn't believe her daughter was being defiant to her because of that outsider.
"I won't let that happen," Leah muttered.