Chapter 4
My sister froze, then scurried behind my father like a frightened child.
My mother rushed to block the officers. “Officers, what business do you have with my daughter?” “Caleb must be her son?” the officer said. “He threw firecrackers into the sewer, causing a methane explosion. The blast destroyed a public road, set farmland on fire, and totaled a private vehicle. Since Caleb is a minor, we’re holding his guardian responsible.”
My mother’s smile became obsequious. “Then there’s no need to take her to the station. We car settle this privately-”
“Already tried that,” the officer interrupted. “Mr. Beckett attempted to settle this, but Ms. Wynr refused compensation. So now we’re handling it formally.”
My sister stepped forward quickly. “I didn’t refuse! From the start, I said I’d compensate him—” Then she spun toward Adrian, accusingly. “Why call the police? This is between us! It’s a family matter!”
Adrian’s lip curled in open disgust.
“Family matter? Who do you think you are? Stop trying to act familiar-we have nothing to dc with each other.”
But my sister’s face glowed with delusion.
“I get it now. You were too shy to come to my house alone, so you brought the police as ar excuse. You were afraid I’d reject you, weren’t you? Well… you don’t have to be afraid. I like you too.”
For a moment, Adrian just stared at her. Then his expression twisted like he’d bitten intc something rotten.
“Are you insane? How could you possibly think I like you? Your son destroyed my car! If I likec you after that, I’d have to be brain-dead!”
Her face crumpled in disbelief. “You-you don’t like me? That’s impossible. You’re just embarrassed because everyone’s watching. Let’s send the police away and talk privately-”
Adrian snapped, furious now.
‘Officer, you see this? She’s pretending to be crazy to dodge compensation! And I’ve already beer told she ordered her son to throw the firecracker on purpose. She’s malicious-she should be investigated!”
My sister shrieked, face twisted with rage.
“Liar! That’s slander! Adrian, shut up! If you keep saying this, I’ll lose my mind!”
“I should be the one angry here! What right do you have to be angry?” my sister snapped.
“Enough!” the officer barked. “This discussion ends at the station.”
He reached for my sister’s arm, but my mother threw herself in front of him. “No! You can’t take her! My daughter hasn’t committed a crime. Why are you dragging her away?”
“There’s a witness stating Maris ordered her son to throw firecrackers into the manhole,” the officer said coldly. “That’s a public safety offense. If you interfere, we can arrest you for
obstructing law enforcement.”
A villager snorted from the back of the crowd. “Aunt Moira, the ‘wealthy son-in-law’ you’ve been bragging about-don’t tell me it’s the same man whose car got blown up. When did he ever say he’d marry your daughter? Your grandson destroyed his car, and you think he still wants a second-married woman with a brat? Are you out of your minds?”
Another chimed in, “Exactly! Sounds to me like you can’t afford to pay, so you’re trying to pawn off your eldest daughter as some bargain bride. Who’d take that deal?”
Their words were like stones pelting my parents and sister. My mother slapped her thigh and wailed, “You’re just jealous! My Maris is beautiful-of course men want her! You’re slandering her because she turned you down!”
My sister bared her teeth. “Shut up! What do you know? Adrian likes widows like me-women with a child and no one else to rely on. This accident was fate bringing us together. We’re getting married, just wait and see!”
Adrian finally snapped.
‘Shut your mouth!” he roared. “Stop your delusions! I wouldn’t marry you if I were blind. I wouldn’t ouch a shrew like you if you were the last woman on earth. Get out of my sight!”
The room went deathly quiet. My sister stood frozen, then muttered, almost to herself, “No… this sn’t right. In your past life, you fell for Elise Marlowe at first sight. I’m prettier than her! How could you like her and not me?”
Adrian glared at her like she was insane. “Elise was my first love. I came to this village to find her-then your brat blew up my car before I could even say hello!”
You came here… for Elise?” My sister’s voice cracked.
Yes.”
Something inside her snapped. She lunged, grabbing his collar. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? You made me believe-”
You’re insane! Let go!” Adrian shoved her back. “Why would I owe you an explanation about Elise? Who do you think you are?”
My sister’s eyes darted wildly, and she switched tactics, pleading, “Elise and I have been neighbors for years-we’re practically sisters! For her sake, just give my family some face,
›lease?”
Adrian’s voice turned to ice. “Don’t even try it. Elise told me herself how your family bullies her- Jumping trash at her door, spreading rumors. You dare call that sisterhood? Shameless!”
So what if we fight sometimes?” my sister shrieked. “We’ve been neighbors for years-you still have the nerve to make us pay? You’re rich! You could buy ten cars and not even notice. Why are you coming after ordinary people like us? You’re heartless!”
