Chapter 37

Mrs. Lila's laughter echoed through the room, a cold, calculated sound that sent shivers down the spines of those present. She called out, her voice dripping with confidence, "Mr. Richard!"

Her lawyer emerged from the shadows, a tall, imposing figure with a stern expression. Aiden's eyes widened as he recognized the name, his mind racing back to the phone call he had made earlier. He hadn't expected Mrs. Lila to have a backup plan, but it seemed she had been prepared for every eventuality.

Mr. Richard introduced himself, his voice smooth as silk. "I represent Mrs. Lila in this matter."

Aiden's smile returned, his hands still tucked comfortably in his pockets. He was intrigued by this new development, eager to see how it would play out.

"I have proof," Mrs. Lila declared, her voice dripping with triumph. "Aiden is innocent, and Aria is guilty."

Mr. Richard dropped the files onto the Inspector General's table, the sound echoing through the room like a challenge. The family's faces fell, shock and dismay etched on their features.

The Inspector General slammed his fist onto the table, his face red with anger. "Is this a game to you all?" he thundered. "Do you think you can just manipulate the system to suit your needs?"

Aiden's smile faltered, his hands flying out of his pockets as the Inspector General's words struck home. "Both Aiden and Aria will be put in separate cells until this matter is resolved," the Inspector General declared.

Aria smiled inwardly, a small, wry smile. At least no one had won, not yet.

The Inspector General continued, his voice firm. "Tomorrow's hearing will reveal the truth. I want both lawyers present, ready to argue their cases."

He dismissed everyone, his gesture curt.

Jack pulled Aria into a tight hug, his voice whisper-soft. "Hang on, okay? We'll get through this."

Aria clung to him, her eyes closed.

The officer handcuffed her wrists, the metal cold against her skin.

Aiden received the same treatment, his eyes locked onto Aria's.

Aria waved at the family as they left, her smile forced.

They waved back, their faces etched with worry.

Aria locked eyes with Aiden once more, her smile fading.

"At least he's also in jail," she thought, a small consolation.

Aiden's thoughts were far from defeated. "This game is far from over," he smiled to himself.

Jack's eyes followed Aria as she was led away, his heart heavy with emotion. He made a silent promise to himself.

"I'll bring you home, Aria. No matter what it takes."

The station's corridors emptied as the family and their lawyers departed.

Sara settled into the backseat of Mrs. Ivy and Daniel's car, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery.

Mrs. Hilda slid into the passenger seat of Jack's car, her expression somber.

"Where do we go from here, Jack?" she asked softly.

Jack's gaze lingered on the station's fading outline before focusing on the road ahead.

"We prepare for tomorrow's hearing," he replied.

His voice firm.

"We'll prove Aria's innocence."

Mrs. Hilda nodded.

Her eyes locked onto Jack's profile.

"We'll bring Aria home tomorrow." Jack notified.

The city lights blurred outside.

Their thoughts consumed by the battle ahead.

The silence between them was resolute.

United in their determination.

To bring Aria home.

Mrs. Lila stood frozen, her gaze fixed on the fading taillights of Jack's car.

Lost in her thoughts.

A single phrase echoed in her mind.

"I'll bring you justice, Allison."

Her voice barely audible.

A promise to her daughter Allison.

Her eyes welled up.

Tears streamed down.

She took a deep breath.

Composing herself.

With newfound determination.

She walked downstairs.

To her waiting car.

The engine purred to life.

As she drove off into the night.

The city lights blurring.

Her focus fixed on tomorrow's hearing.

And the justice she sought.

For Allison.

As night descended, casting a dark shadow over the jail cell, Aria's worries about tomorrow's hearing swirled in her mind like a vortex, making her stomach twist with anxiety. She clutched her abdomen, feeling a wave of weakness wash over her, as if her legs had been pulled out from under her. The cold concrete wall seemed to close in around her, suffocating her.

She scanned her surroundings, her eyes settling on a silver cup sitting on a small metal table. She rose, her movements slow and labored, and fetched water from the nearby sink. The cool liquid felt refreshing on her parched lips, but did little to alleviate the dizziness that threatened to overwhelm her.

Aria sat down, the metal bench creaking beneath her, and rested her elbows on her knees. But the room continued to spin, and she lay down, her head throbbing with each beat of her heart. She closed her eyes, willing the dizziness to subside, but it only seemed to intensify.

Across from her, Aiden watched with an intensity that made the darkness seem to pulse with malevolence. A sly smile spread across his face, his eyes gleaming with determination. "No matter what," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the sound of his own breathing. "Aria won't win tomorrow."

As he spoke, the shadows seemed to deepen, casting his face in an eerie light. His eyes seemed to bore into Aria's very soul, filling her with an unshakeable sense of unease. Though she didn't see him, didn't know he was watching, she felt a shiver run down her spine, as if she was being pulled into a nightmare from which she couldn't awaken.

Aria's uneasy rest was filled with dark visions and haunting fears, while Aiden's sinister plans awaited the dawn, ready to unfold like a deadly trap.

Jack stood on the mansion's balcony, sipping his coffee, his gaze lost in the starry sky. His eyes reflected his worries, his mind consumed by Aria's plight.

Leah entered, her footsteps soft on the marble floor. She followed Jack's gaze upward.

"What's wrong, Jack?" she asked softly.

Jack's composure crumbled.

He burst into tears.

"Aria," he sobbed.

"I hate seeing her suffer like this."

Leah's eyes widened.

Jack's words poured out.

"I wish I could take her away."

"To a place where she's happy."

"With our child."

Leah's face contorted.

Tears streamed down.

She hugged Jack tightly.

"Everything will be fine," she whispered.

"Aria's strong."

"Don't worry."

But Jack's tears wouldn't stop.

He hoped Aria was holding on.

In that cold, dark cell.

His heart ached.

For the woman he loved.

For their unborn child.

For the future they deserved.

Leah held him close.

A comforting presence.