ALEX

Everyone knows who Ariana King is.

A ruthlesswyer.

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 herwyer, 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 nce down at her, the fire in her eyes matching the storm I feel inside.

"We''re just getting started."

The detective clears his throat as he sits up straight.

He flips open his notepad and starts the recording again.

"Leah Woods. Do you understand you are being recorded?"fn05cd Original content can be found at Find?Novel/fn05cd

Leah''s voice is small and shaky.

"Yes."

"You are here to answer for multiple charges, including child endangerment, abduction, falsifying medical records, bribery, murder and attempted murder."

Leah swallows hard and nods like a puppet.

The detective continues.

"Can you confirm what you told Mr. Alexander King earlier, about switching the babies?"

Leah flinches at my name.

She doesn''t answer.

"Ms. King?" he prompts.

Mum turns her cold gaze 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 one ever picks it up again."

Leah crumbles like wet paper.

"I did it," she croaks. "I paid the nurse. I faked everything. I just wanted to keep Rayen. I didn''t think-"

"Leah," Mum interrupts. "Do you understand that lying will just make things worse for you?"

Leah trembles. Her tears falling freely now.

"I.... I..switched the babies. I drugged Alex to trigger his heart condition, and then

I saved him to make him want to marry me. I... I also killed a child so I could swap him with Rayen.." Her voice shivers.

"Why did you attempt to kill Athena by drowning her and pushing her off the stares?" The detective asks.

"I.... I didn''t do that."

"Leah-" Mum warns, but she shakes her head in tears,

"Because she stole what was mine and kept on stealing from me!"

Mum doesn''t let her finish.

She stands.

Slowly.

Like a lioness about to go hunting.

Her heels click once on the tile, and then she''s across the room before anyone can blink.

She grabs Leah by the cor and ms her back against the metal chair with a force that knocks the breath out of her.

"You can''t do this! You''re....mywyer!" Leah protests.

"You drugged my son?" she growls, her voice low and lethal. "You dared to y God with his life, with my grandson''s life, and you dare tell me what I can and can''t do?"

Leah whimpers.

"I could end you with one motion, but that would be too kind," Mum snarls. "You stole my blood. You murdered an innocent child to steal my grandchild. Tried to kill Athena, and now my sweet girl is lying in aa fighting for her life, and now you sit here crying like a victim?"

The officers flinch but stay still.

No one moves.

No one dares.

"You think I''m here to get you free time? I''m his mother, you piece of shit!" She hisses, her nails digging into Leah''s jaw until blood pricks beneath the skin.

"And you have no idea what it means to make an enemy out of me."

"I...I was desperate.. I''m sorry!" Leah chokes.

"So was that baby you killed!" She roars. "So was Athena, drowning in that pool and falling off those stairs. So was Rayen when he was taken from his real mother! And.." Her voice thickens,

"So was my son when you took advantage of him. You''re an abuser and you will pay for everything you''ve done. You know, I''ve always wondered why he kept insisting on marrying a worthless girl like you but this, this I didn''t expect."

Leah sobs harder, twisting in the chair, but Mum doesn''t budge.

She leans in closer, her voice like venom.

After a beat of silence, she speaks,

"You know what I do to people who hurt my children?" she whispers.

Leah''s eyes widen.

"I bury them."

"But not you. You''re a special kind of enemy. You will rot, Leah. You''ll spend every single day of what little life you have left in a cage. And I''ll make sure no one, not a soul, ever lets you forget what you did. You will be miserable, you''ll beg for death, but I won''t grant it.

Every time you try to take your life, I''ll revive you. Every day of your life will be filled with nothing but agony. You won''t get any second of peace, sleep, or fresh breath. I promise you this."

Then she lets go.

Leah crumples again, sobbing uncontrobly now.

"Please....I''m begging you...!" She cries.

I turn to the officer, "Delete that footage and restart the session."

"Yes sir. Right away, sir!"

I pull out my phone and text Luca to ensure they delete it before looking back up where Mum is sitting in the chair with a calm expression as Leah begs and wails.

The detective clears his throat,

"Let''s restart the session." He announces as Mum takes her seat.

He waits a beat and begins,

"Leah Woods. Do you understand you are being recorded?"