ALEX
Everyone knows who Ariana King is.
A ruthless lawyer.
She knows no bounds and fears no one. My father shields her like a prized jewel.
He'd kill for her, and she'd defend him in court without blinking.
A dangerous, unshakable bond forged in a union.
You get the point.
So you can understand why Leah's face drains of all color.
Her eyes dart to the door, the walls, the floor, anywhere but at her.
But it's pointless.
There is no way out, and she knows it.
She doesn't even protest.
I would've paid off her lawyer, made sure he didn't do anything funny behind the
scenes...
But watching Leah sink into hopelessness, realizing she has no leverage left, no allies left?
That satisfaction?
Pure.
"This was genius," Athena whispers beside me.
I glance down at her, the fire in her eyes matching the storm I feel inside.
"We're just getting started."
clears his throat as
open his notepad and starts
Do you understand you
voice is small
"Yes."
charges, including child endangerment, abduction, falsifying medical
swallows hard and nods like a
The detective continues.
told Mr. Alexander King earlier,
at
She doesn't answer.
"Ms. King?" he prompts.
to Leah. "You will answer, or I will walk out. And if I walk out, I won't just drop your case, I'll make sure no
crumbles like wet
did it," she croaks. "I paid the nurse. I faked everything. I just
Mum interrupts. "Do you understand that lying will
tears
babies. I drugged Alex
want to marry me. I... I also killed a child so I could swap him with
you attempt to kill Athena by drowning her and pushing her off
didn't do
warns, but she shakes her head
mine and kept on
let her
She stands.
Slowly.
lioness about
on the tile, and then
the metal chair with a force
this!
my son?" she growls, her voice low and lethal. "You dared to play God with his life, with my grandson's life, and you dare
Leah whimpers.
be too kind," Mum snarls. "You stole my blood. You murdered an innocent child to steal my grandchild. Tried to kill Athena,
officers flinch but stay
No one moves.
No one dares.
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