Chapter 34: A Call for Help!

Who was walking toward her? Had her family already found out about her being held and the role her husband and mother-in-law played? Whoever it was, she needed to make it clear she needed a private lawyer.

Her heart sank as soon as she spotted Victor. What was he doing here? Did he come to help her after all?

The questions in her eyes were clear as day. "If you think I came here to help you, you're mistaken, Julia," he said coldly.

His face was like stone. Why had she even thought there could be hope? Did she feel hopeless, or had she just believed he still had a soft spot left for her?

She met his gaze directly. "Don't worry, Victor. I'm not expecting you to help me. Didn't you tell the General that I should be locked away?" she spat back, bitterness lacing her words.

He held her stare, not a word escaping his lips. Time seemed to stretch as they remained locked in eye contact, the world around them disappearing completely.

She never imagined the man she had loved could bring her so much suffering. His heart was now like iron, blindly believing his mother's lies. What crime had she committed to be treated so cruelly? She had always respected and loved her mother-in-law. But she knew the truth; she wasn't wealthy enough to earn their affection.

"If you have nothing to say, then just go. I need to rest," she replied, her voice icy as she turned away from him.

A sly smirk crept onto his face. "You still manage to hold your head high, even in that dirty cell. Don't worry, I'm not here to pity you or reminisce our shit history."

She tightened her fist in anger. A shit ast? Was this really how he viewed their love?

"If that's how you feel, then just go," she shot back.

"I'm going too," he said, stepping closer. "I just followed to see you were really brought here. You have money now… I mean, the money you stole from me. You can pay the officials," he added with a smirk.

A heatwave rushed to her face. "Don't you dare compare me to you and your mother! I'd never use money for my own gain, especially if it's illegal! I'm not like you!" she shot back, her voice trembling with anger.

He leaned in, his face close to the bars, surveying the tiny, filthy cell. A satisfied smile crossed his lips, one eyebrow raised mockingly. "You will pay for your sins, Julia. From cheating behind my back, to giving birth to your bastard son and stealing from my company. You'll rot here. I'll make sure of it," he hissed, his voice dripping with venom.

Tears threatened to spill from her eyes at his cruelty. How had Victor become so cold? His heart had turned to stone, caring only for himself and his family. He acted like everything was her fault, twisting the truth.

"And guess who I'll go after next?" he sneered. "I'll find your secret lover and throw both of you in here. I won't stop until you're both rotting! You'll pay for everything you did to me. This is your home now, Julia. Not outside," he said, his eyes darkening. At that moment, he resembled a demon, like Lucifer himself, only missing horns and a tail.

She wasn't concerned about Dante; she knew he could hold his own if Victor discovered he was Eli's father. Besides, he was rich enough to manage. But for herself, she felt dread, knowing Victor would likely keep her imprisonment a secret from her family.

How would she break the news to her family? Would Eli even think to call her mother? But could a child come up with that on their own?

Her only glimmer of hope was her right to have a public attorney. Surely, they would grant her that chance.

"You've got to be kidding me, Victor!" she shouted, her voice echoing in the cell. "If you tell the world about my tragedy, let's see if anyone stands by you. You've got no heart! You are the biggest gaslighter, aren't you? You act all innocent. You're the one playing the victim with your mother. Do what you want, Victor. But remember… the truth will come out. How dare you accuse me when you're the one with a mistress! Your guts amaze me!" She clenched the bars in anger.

He hesitated, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Well, only if you can get out of here… but I will make sure you rot in this filthy place. You won't see your bastard son again. Enjoy your little vacation," he mocked, turning on his heel to leave her.

Once he was gone, the tears she had fought to hold back streamed down her cheeks. She had never imagined Victor would come to this place just to ensure she knew she would be trapped here.

She quickly wiped her tears away, fear clawing at her insides. But she had to be strong, especially for Eli. Staying in this place too long was not an option.

"Who was that? Is he your husband? He sure is rude," the woman who kicked her stomach asked her.

She hesitated, not wanting to pick a fight in the cramped space. That could end badly. She finally nodded. "Yes, he's my husband."

The woman's eyes widened in shock. "And you let him speak to you that way? Just looking at him, he doesn't seem to know how to do good. If he were my husband, I would've killed him. That's why I'm here; I killed my husband for doing nothing but gambling and alcohol," she said, plopping down on the floor, a hint of pride in her tone.

Confusion flashed in her eyes as she listened. "Your husband is worthless! But here's my advice: if you ever get bail, go back to that devil. People like him shouldn't be allowed to live," she said sharply.

A flicker of respect crossed her expression. What had once been annoyance was now something closer to understanding.

In the Voss mansion, Eli sat on the floor, tears streaming down his cheeks. How could the police take his mommy? And it was his daddy and grandma who had told them to!

He clenched his small fists, knowing his mommy needed him. But what could a child like him possibly do?

Once the police took his mommy away, his daddy and grandma hurried off, leaving him alone. He stayed hidden, invisible, hoping they wouldn't look his way.

The whispers of the housemaids filled the air as he sprinted to the room he shared with his mom, heart racing. He searched desperately for her phone.

He needed to call Grandma Martha or Uncle Jonas to tell them what happened to his mommy. Thankfully, despite his age, he was smart enough to use a smartphone. He quickly typed in her password.

"Mommy, just wait for me! We'll save you!" Eli shouted in his mind, desperation pouring from his heart. He just wanted to keep his beloved mother safe.

Spotting Grandma Martha's number, he reached for the call button, but then an unknown number flashed on the screen, ringing his mother's phone.

With no name attached to the number, hope flickered in his chest. Could this be his mommy? Was she calling from the police station?

Heart pounding in his chest, Eli answered the call, praying it was his mother on the other end.

"Hello? Mommy?" he said, his voice small and shaky.

"Hmm… what? Am I calling the right number? Is this Julia's number?" a strange voice asked, sounding puzzled on the other end.

Eli had never heard this voice before. There was a softness to it, warm like the voices of superheroes in his favorite movies.

"This is my mom's number. Do you know her? Who are you?" he replied, trying to sound brave despite the fluttering in his stomach.

A sharp intake of breath came from the other end. "Y-Your mom...? You mean, Julia...? S-She's your mom...?" the man's voice trembled, as if he had just received shocking news.

Eli's brow knitted together with confusion. "Yes, she's my mommy. Who are you, please?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Dante's throat tightened. Julia has a child! The news hit him like a wave. He hadn't expected this at all, and he didn't know how to respond to it.

"I-I'm her friend. I'm Dante, and you are…?" he stammered, trying to keep his voice calm.

Eli frowned, the name ringing no bells. His mommy hadn't mentioned a man named Dante, but the man's voice was gentle, almost reassuring.

"I'm Eli, her son. What do you want from my mommy?" he asked, his tone firm despite the unease swirling inside him.

"W-Well…" Dante hesitated, unsure of how to answer. What did he need from Julia? He missed her dearly and wanted to check on her, but talking to her son threw him off.

"Mr. Dante, are you really friends with my mommy? Do you care for her?" Eli's little voice held an earnestness that tugged at Dante's heart.

"Of course. She's my friend, and I care about her a lot," Dante replied, wanting to add that he loved her but not wanting to upset the child.

"Okay, Mr. Dante. I believe you. I need your help," little Eli said, his voice steadying as hope flashed within him. He felt trust in this kind voice.

Dante chuckled softly, the sound gentle. "You need my help, kiddo? Why?"

"I need you to help my mommy, Mr. Dante," Eli's voice trembled, growing fainter. "The police took her today, and my daddy and grandma told them to. Please, help my mom!"

A cold wave of disbelief washed over Dante. "What?!" he exclaimed, his heart racing as he grasped the seriousness of the situation.