Chapter 32
Ivy's expression turned icy as she opened the door to reveal the Inspector General, flanked by officers. "The police are here," she announced, her voice laced with unease.
Aiden stood beside them, a smug smile spreading across his face.
"Aria Hernandez, Mr. Jack," the Inspector General called out, his voice echoing through the mansion.
Aria and Jack rushed downstairs, their faces etched with concern. The family gathered, surrounding the officers.
Mrs. Hilda's eyes narrowed. "What brings you here, Inspector?"
The Inspector General's expression remained stern. "We have a warrant for Aria and Jack's arrest, regarding the murder of Allison."
Aiden's smile grew wider, his eyes gleaming with triumph.
Aria's eyes flashed with determination. "This is a setup. Aiden's behind it."
Jack's jaw clenched. "We won't go down without a fight."
The officers stepped forward, handcuffs are ready.
"Search the house!" the Inspector General bellowed, his face red with urgency.
Officers swarmed the mansion, scouring every room.
Aria and Jack were dragged away, handcuffs biting into their wrists.
"Be careful! She's pregnant!" Jack shouted, struggling against the officers.
"Don't push her!" he pleaded, his eyes locked on Aria's frightened face.
Leah and her husband exchanged sorrowful glances, while Sofia's eyes welled up with tears.
Ivy, however, stood rigid, her expression cold. "She deserves it," she whispered to herself. "Next time, she won't put Daniel in harm's way."
Just then, an officer burst from Aria's room, a white handkerchief wrapped around a gun.
"Wait! We've found evidence!" the officer shouted, sprinting to intercept the Inspector General.
The Inspector General's eyes widened as he took the gun, his gaze locking onto Aria.
"Looks like we have more than enough reason to take you in," he sneered.
Aria's face paled, her eyes darting to Jack.
"Release Jack Hernandez," the Inspector General ordered. "Aria Hernandez is not innocent. The gun was found in her room."
Aria's voice echoed through the mansion, desperate and clear. "I'm innocent! This is Aiden's plan!"
Jack refused to leave Aria's side, pleading with the Inspector General. "She's telling the truth! Aiden's setting her up!"
The Inspector General remained unmoved, his expression cold.
Officers dragged Aria away, her hands cuffed behind her. Jack watched in anguish as they pushed her into the police Jeep.
"I'll get you out, Aria! No matter what!" Jack vowed, his eyes locked on hers.
Aria smiled faintly, her voice barely audible. "I'll be fine, Jack."
The Jeep sped away, Aiden's car tailing them in the distance.
Jack sprang into action, dialing Liam and Leo's numbers. Follow Aiden! We need to get Aria out, now!
Ivy's brow furrowed, her thoughts swirling. "How did that gun get into Aria's room?"
Here's a rewritten version with added emotional depth:
Jack's room was shrouded in darkness, mirroring his worried state. He paced, his mind consumed by Aria's fate.
The phone rang, shrill in the silence. "Two weeks for the evidence," the voice on the other end said.
Jack's anger boiled over, and he hurled the phone across the room.
Mrs. Hilda entered, a tray of snacks in hand. "Don't worry, Jack. Aria will be fine. She's a strong woman."
She set the tray down and departed, leaving Jack to his thoughts.
Memories of Aria flooded his mind: her smile, her laughter, her tears. Jack's heart ached, longing to hold her close.
He whispered to himself, gazing out the window at the star-filled sky. "Aria, my love, please be alright. I'm coming for you."
Ivy smiled, watching Jack's distress through the window. "Aria's finally paying the price for putting Daniel in harm's way," she thought.
Daniel appeared, his eyes blazing with anger. "Ivy, what's wrong with you?" he demanded, grasping her hand.
"Show some support, care for Them, for once," Daniel urged.
Ivy's laughter sent chills down Daniel's spine. "When did anyone care for me?"
She wrenched her hand free and stormed off.
Daniel's concern deepened. He hoped that Aria was safe
Aria was given a white plain gown to wear.
She walked out, and the police officers laughed, wondering how someone like her could commit such a crime.
Aiden smiled at the door, watching as the officer pushed to enter her cell.
As soon as Aria saw Aiden smiling, memories flashed before her eyes - Liam being shot, her being framed for a crime she didn't commit.
She remembered how Aiden killed his own mother.
Aria's anger boiled over.
She pushed the officers away and walked towards Aiden.
With a fierce determination, she punched Aiden in the face.
Aiden's nose started bleeding, and he turned his head, touching his nose to see the blood.
His eyes widened in shock.
"How dare you!" Aiden snarled, hand raised to strike.
But before he could hit her, officers swooped in, dragging Aria away.
"Separate them!" one officer barked.
Aiden's nose still bled as he struggled against the officers.
Aria smiled defiantly. "I'll find my way out," she vowed. "And when I do, you're finished. Liam will get justice, and so will everyone else you've hurt."
Enraged, Aiden tried to break free, but officers restrained him.
They locked Aria in her cell, her eyes still fixed on Aiden.
She savored his helplessness, then turned away, dismissing him.
Aiden seethed, pushing officers aside and storming out of the station.
"I'll make sure she never leaves that cell," he muttered to himself, fists clenched.
He sped away in his car, leaving Aria behind.
Aria's thoughts turned to her unborn child, her hands cradling her belly.
"I'll protect you, no matter what," she whispered.
Aria's thirst parched her throat. "Water," she whispered, approaching the communal sink.
A fellow inmate, a gruff-looking woman, handed her a cup.
"I don't take water from strangers," Aria said, wary.
As she turned away, the woman grasped her hair, yanking her back.
Aria screamed.
Two other inmates emerged, knives glinting in their hands.
"What crime did you commit, Aria?" one sneered.
Aria's anger flared. She slapped the hair-pulling woman, sending her crashing to the floor.
"Attack her!" the fallen woman shouted.
The knife-wielding inmates lunged, aiming for Aria's stomach.
Aria countered, twisting their wrists.
"How dare you try to kill me?" she seethed, pinning them to the floor.
Releasing them, Aria retrieved the knife and pointed it at the trio.
"Stay away from me."
She dropped the knife and lay down on the bench, closing her eyes.
One of the fallen women growled, "Who does she think she is?"
The would-be water giver chuckled.
"That water she had refused to drink contains poison. If our plan fails, we'll try again."