Bonds

Chapter 38

-Maya’s POV-

One week.

That’s how long the cold, damp cell had been my only companion. The stale air, the flickering fluorescent light, the constant echo of distant shouts – it all melded into a single, horrifying memory. The relief of Natalia flinging her arms around me when I was finally released was almost suffocating.

“They wouldn’t even let me see him,” I thought bitterly, clenching my fists in my lap. Ivan had explained things vaguely, something about political pressure and “influential forces.” He’d insisted he wasn’t responsible for my release, but then who was? Even though I knew the answer, I dared not think of him.

SM

Moving in with Ivan had been a whirlwind. The twins, bless their curious little hearts, were asking endless questions I couldn’t answer. “Where have you been Mummy? Why are we leaving Aunty Natalia?”

I would explain but I was just too damn tired. There was almost no tears left in my eyes.

Today, however, I wasn’t here for tears. I was here to fight. Sitting across from a portly lawyer with thinning hair and a perpetually worried expression, I steeled myself. Mr. Davies had been recommended by Ivan, and while his kindness was evident, his lack of results was starting to grate on me.

“Mr. Davies,” I began, my voice firm despite the tremor in my hands, “with all due respect, I don’t feel like you’re doing enough. It’s been a week, and I haven’t been able to see my father. He’s in jail and you’re telling me there’s nothing we can do?”

Mr. Davies squirmed in his seat, adjusting his spectacles. “Miss Stone, I understand your frustration. Believe me, I am doing everything in my power. But your father’s case is…” he hesitated, searching for the right words, “complicated.”

“Complicated how?” I pressed, my voice rising a notch.

He sighed, a deep rumble that seemed to emanate from somewhere deep within his belly. “The evidence against him is… substantial, Miss Stone. Large sums of money, offshore accounts, the whole shebang. It doesn’t look good, I’m afraid to say.”

My stomach clenched. My father had always done things the legal way. That was one thing I could brag about even though we never saw eye to eye. But then a chilling thought struck me. Could someone have framed him? An enemy, a competitor, someone with a grudge? The questions swirled in my head, a storm with no clear answer.

I finally managed to ask, “How long could he be in prison for money

avoided my gaze, his lips pursed in a thin line. “Money laundering is a serious offense. Depending on the severity, the sentence. could range from…” he hesitated again, his voice dropping to a low murmur, “…ten

Twenty–five years.

weight of the situation pressing down on me. Wiping a

words catching in my throat. “That can’t be it. There has to

11:35 Fri, 21 Jun

Chapter 38

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your father seems strong. However,” he continued, a hint of hope creeping into his voice, “there might be a small chance. We could try to argue entrapment, if there’s any evidence

laundering money.”

flicker of hope ignited within me. “Entrapment? But how

steepled his fingers, his expression thoughtful. “That is a problem. However, I can draft a request for visitation rights. There’s no guarantee it will be granted, but it’s a start. Perhaps

relief washed over me. At least I wouldn’t be completely in the dark anymore. “Visitation rights,” I echoed, “Yes, please do that. Anything to see him,

get on that right away. In the meantime, I’ll also see if

I really appreciate you taking on

gave a small smile. “It’s not about me. It’s about justice. I will be

of the study, leaving me alone with my

the whirlwind of emotions, fear, and confusion, the question of

there was Alex. Could he be behind this? Could he have manipulated the evidence, used his influence to get my father out of the way? The

to be with Alex, only to have it thrust back upon me by his actions. Why

out of me.

into despair, the office door creaked open and Natalia entered. Her concerned gaze swept over me, taking in my tear–streaked face and slumped

softly, her voice laced with

my voice thick with emotion. “Mr. Davies is trying to get me visitation rights, but it could take days. And the miracle of

touch warm and reassuring. “Hey,” she said firmly, her voice unwavering, “You’re strong, Amaya. Stronger than you give yourself credit for. You’ve been through a lot,

shaky breath, leaning into her side. “It just feels like one drama after another, I confessed, burying my face in her shoulder. “First, everything with Alex, now this.

“I know, sweetie,” she murmured. “It feels overwhelming, doesn’t it? Like