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.

keeping my

a

also have some questions regarding the missing sons of Ryan

stomach twisted

hell was

me

a tight, knowing smile, as if he had heard similar declarations a hundred times before. He leaned back in his chair, mirroring my posture, and studied me with unsettling patience. "Let us be the judge of whether this is a

"No. I never

slightly, as if cataloging my response. "Alright. Then can

at home," I said flatly. "Didn't step out. Had no

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

held his

Silence stretched between us.

about the way he watched me made my

Waiting for what, exactly?

mother, 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

my face neutral, I gave what I hoped was the

officer hummed

he added, "Your mother told us she was home with you all day. His gaze sharpened. "Funny how you

Shit. Shit.

ears, but I forced myself to stay calm. I shrugged, keeping my voice even. "It wasn't a big deal.

away. Instead, he reached for

"You remember this?"

the image before shifting my gaze back to him.

cufflinks,"

there was no warmth

in that moment, I

This was a trap.

said flatly, watching me like a predator sizing up its prey. "So this doesn't

my head without hesitation. "No, it

again,

then

of the estate where you used to live with your mother," be said, his voice casual-too