Chapter 3

My tears, uncontrollable, dripped onto Julian’s hand. He flinched back as if seared by hot coals, his movement startlingly swift.

“Cassandra, don’t do this…” His voice held a mix of panic and helplessness.

“Julian darling, my stomach really hurts. Is something wrong with our baby?” I clutched his sleeve tightly, my eyes filled with fear and vulnerability.

At her words, Julian’s gaze instantly hardened. He no longer hesitated, turning back to the driver’s seat, closing the car door, and stomping on the accelerator. The car shot away like an arrow from a bow, vanishing from my sight.

“Cassandra…” A weak voice called from behind me. It was Elara.

“Elara!” I crawled to her side with difficulty, holding her tightly in my arms, as if that could lend her some strength.

“Cassandra, Elara might not be able to walk with you much longer.” Elara’s voice was faint and trembling.

“Elara wanted to see our Cassandra in a wedding dress, getting married and having children, what a shame…” Her eyes shimmered with tears, filled with regret.

“Elara, hold on! The paramedics will be here soon, you’ll be fine!” I desperately tried to reassure her, and myself.

“Elara, don’t sleep, please don’t sleep…” I squeezed her hand tightly, terrified that if I let go, she would leave me.

“Elara!” No matter how I called out, Elara slowly closed her eyes in my arms, and her hand gradually grew cold.

By the time the ambulance sirens wailed to a stop outside our house, Elara had already stopped breathing. The paramedics quickly checked her vital signs, then shook their heads at me, their eyes full of sympathy.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Hayes…” The doctor’s words were like cold blades, piercing my heart.

I couldn’t accept the truth. I grabbed the doctor’s sleeve, tears gushing like a broken dam: “Please save her, Doctor, please! She was just talking to me! She was fine!”

“Please, hurry and save her! She’s always been so strong, there has to be hope, right?” I knelt on the ground, repeatedly bowing my head, begging them to save my Elara.

“Ms. Hayes, I’m truly sorry. If we had been half an hour earlier, there might have been hope…” The doctor sighed helplessly.

“Ms. Hayes, the deceased is gone. Please accept our condolences.” Another paramedic gently comforted me.

“Elara is just sleeping. She’s just mad at Cassandra, she’ll wake up…” I held Elara’s body, refusing to let go, as if my warmth could make her feel it, make her wake up.

“Elara, Cassandra will be good, Cassandra won’t be naughty anymore, please wake up?” I murmured, tears constantly falling onto Elara’s face.

“Elara, you said you hadn’t seen Cassandra get married and have children yet, how could you leave first?” I held Elara tightly, just as she had held me when I was little, giving me endless warmth and comfort.

The paramedics stood silently to the side, watching my last moments with Elara, unwilling to disturb the peace and sorrow.

With the help of the paramedics, I took Elara’s body to the hospital and obtained the death certificate. At that moment, I felt as if all my strength had drained away, and I completely collapsed.

“Hello, yes, I want to report a murder!” I dialed 911, my voice trembling.

The police were efficient. In no time, they brought Veronica, who was at the maternity ward entrance, to Elara’s side.

“Ms. Hayes, someone has reported a murder.” Officer Miller looked at me sternly.

“Our investigation shows that Elara Jenkins’ death was due to a cranial cerebral injury and intracranial hemorrhage from falling down the stairs.” Officer Miller continued.

“According to Ms. Hayes, you were standing at the top of the stairs at the time of the incident.” Officer Miller’s gaze was sharp and calm.

Veronica’s face was pale, whether from fright or some other reason, she bit her lower lip tightly, saying nothing.

“No… no, Officer,” I quickly argued.

“Officer, Ms. Hayes must have mistaken what she saw.” Julian suddenly stepped forward, shielding Veronica behind him.

“I was also present at the time. Veronica did not touch Elara Jenkins.” His tone was firm and resolute.

“Elara Jenkins simply lost her footing and fell down the stairs by accident.” He added, as if that could clear Veronica of suspicion.

I stared with wide eyes at this man, once so familiar, now so utterly foreign, my heart filled with disappointment and sorrow.

Elara had been with us since I was a child; even now, she was like family. But now, Julian Thorne was willing to protect someone he barely knew, abandoning any pursuit of the person who had killed Elara.

“Officer, they’re lying!” I shouted back, my voice brimming with fury and indignation.