Becoming Strangers Again by Lily

MAYA

It was supposed to be a normal evening. A simple walk to the corner store to grab some ice cream, nothing more, nothing less. But life has a way of twisting the ordinary into something completely unexpected.

I had barely turned the corner when two police cars screeched to a halt right in front of me.

I didn't think much of it at first. This was a busy neighborhood; cops showed up all the time.

I had no reason to be nervous. I wasn't hiding from anyone. I had done nothing wrong. Yet, as soon as the car doors swung open and three uniformed officers stepped out, all walking straight toward me, a sudden chill ran down my spine. Maybe I should be hiding. The oldest of the three stopped just inches away, his gaze fixed on me. "Are you Ms. Maya Hems?"

I swallowed hard and nodded.

Without hesitation, he pulled out a pair of handcuffs. Instinctively, I took a step back.

"You need to come with us to the station for questioning," he said, his tone firm but not aggressive.

My eyes darted to the cuffs in his hands. My pulse kicked up a notch. "If it's just questioning, why are you cuffing me?"

"You'll find out once we get there," he replied, snapping one cuff around my wrist before I could protest further.

The world blurred around me as they led me to the backseat of the police car. The door shut, and within seconds, we were speeding toward the station.

*******

The room was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from a single overhead bulb that cast long shadows on the cold, gray walls. I sat rigid in the cold metal chair, doing my best to appear indifferent-calm, even-but the truth was, my heart was pounding against my ribs. I took a slow breath, forcing my voice to stay steady. "What exactly am I doing here, Officer?"

Before the man across from me could answer, the door creaked open. Another officer stepped in, this one carrying a file. Placing the file on the desk, he flipped open the laptop in front of him. His gaze met mine, and he gave me a small, almost apologetic smile. "I sincerely apologize for keeping you waiting," he said.

Liar.

Everything about his expression told me he wasn't sorry in the slightest.

I leaned forward, locking eyes with him. "Why am I here?"

His smile faded. "We have some questions for you regarding the death of Mr. Richard."

A chill ran down my spine. My fingers curled into fists beneath the table as I fought to keep my expression neutral.

your questions," I said, keeping

officer didn't blink. Instead, he turned a page in his file and

we also have some questions regarding the missing sons

twisted into

the hell was going

thrown me under

I wasn't about to let them intimidate me. "Go ahead with your questions," I said coolly. "But let's get one thing straight-this is a waste of time. I had nothing to do with Richard's death or the missing triplets." The young officer's lips curled into a tight, knowing smile,

I never saw him that

slightly, as if cataloging my response. "Alright. Then can you walk me through where you were that

I said flatly. "Didn't step

"So, just to be clear-you never saw Mr. Richard

held his gaze.

Silence stretched between us.

made my skin crawl. He wasn't just listening-he

Waiting for what, exactly?

Salome," he continued, his tone deceptively casual, "do

a split second. Why were they bringing up my mother? I hadn't thought to ask her what she told them-hadn't

my face neutral, I gave what I hoped was the safest answer. "I don't remember where

officer hummed as if

he added, "Your mother

Shit. Shit.

I forced myself to stay calm. I shrugged, keeping my

reached for the laptop

"You remember this?"

shifting my gaze back to him.

wear cufflinks," I

smiled, but there was no warmth in

in that moment, I

This was a trap.

sizing up

my head without hesitation. "No,

nodded again,

answer, then pulled

the air vent of the estate where you used to live with your mother," be said, his voice