Chapter 5
Adrian’s patience finally snapped.
“You people are relentless! Fine-see you in court!”
From behind him, the village chief shouted, “Erwan, hear that? He’s done talking. And what about our losses? Folks, if they won’t pay, we’ll sue them too!”
My father’s face went pale. “Don’t, don’t! We’ll figure something out!”
But the police had had enough. One of them stepped forward and pulled out a pair of handcuffs.
“Maris, you’re coming with us.”
My sister panicked and twisted away.. Her frantic eyes swept the room-until they landed on me standing silently in the corner.
“It was her!” she shrieked, jabbing a finger at me. “She told my son to throw the firecrackers! had nothing to do with it!”
The officer turned to me. “Miss, you’ll need to come to the station and cooperate with the investigation.”
And just like that, the entire family-me, my parents, my sister, and my terrified nephew-was taken to the police station.
It was my nephew’s first time there, and the boy couldn’t stop crying.
“Stop crying and talk!” my sister hissed, yanking at his shirt. “Tell them it was your aunt! Say it!” Between sobs, the boy whimpered, “Yes… it was Auntie who told me to do it!”
I gave a short, cold laugh.
‘Sister, someone saw you give him the order. Do you really think blaming me will save you? Dc you think the police are fools?”
‘You and I look alike,” she shot back, her voice shrill. “They must’ve mistaken me for you! You’re the one who told him, and you’re the one who should pay for everything!”
My mother chimed in, pointing at me like I was a criminal. “Exactly! You wicked girl, trying to frame your own sister! Officers, arrest her and let my daughter go!”
sighed, exasperated. “Officers, why not just run a polygraph test? We’ll see who’s really lying.” One officer crouched to look my nephew in the eye. His voice was calm but firm.
‘Listen carefully, little boy. Lying is bad. If you lie, we’ll have to use the polygraph, and if ying, the machine will shock you. Do you want that?”
you keep
My nephew’s face crumpled. He burst into fresh tears and blurted, “It was Mom! She told me to throw the firecrackers! Auntie tried to stop me, but Mom scolded me!”
The room went dead quiet-until my sister snapped.
‘You little traitor!” she screamed, and kicked her son hard enough to make him stumble.
That was the end. The police had all they needed. My sister was formally charged with endangering public safety.
If convicted, she would face several years behind bars.
My parents, nephew, and I were released.
The moment I got home, I headed straight for my room and began packing my suitcase.
My father blocked the doorway, his face thunderous. “Where do you think you’re going with that?”
“Back to my rental in the city,” I said flatly.
He slammed a hand against the doorframe. “Your sister’s in jail, and you’re running away? You heartless girl!”
“We already signed the severance agreement,” I reminded him coldly. “You were the ones who cut me off.”
He grabbed the suitcase out of my hand. “No! You’re not leaving until you get your sister out. That’s the price for raising you!”
‘Dad,” I said, my voice shaking, “when I told you I was sick and needed money, you threw me out like trash. Now that your favorite daughter is in trouble, you’re blocking the door and demanding I save her. Am I even your child?”
‘Don’t talk back!” he roared. “Your mother and I fed and clothed you all these years. You owe us! Get your sister out of this mess, and we’ll consider your debt repaid!”
My mother clutched my arm, sobbing. “Talia, she’s your sister! You can’t just stand by and watch ner die!”
pulled free of her grip, my voice like ice. “We signed the agreement. You put your fingerprints on t. I don’t owe you anything anymore. Maris made her own choices-and now she can live with he consequences.”
