Chapter 349

The Costa Rican police station loomed before us, a stark reminder of the chaos that had consumed our lives. As we stepped inside, I felt a heavy weight settle in the pit of my stomach, knowing that this night could go in various directions.

I followed Timothy and Andy, the fluorescent lights flickering overhead casting eerie shadows on the walls. The air was tense, filled with an undercurrent of uncertainty as we were led towards the interrogation rooms.

The officer approached us, his expression grave as he addressed me directly. "It's good that you managed to get a record of Mia's words," he said, his tone serious. "It could make all the difference in the investigation."

Relief washed over me at his words, a small glimmer of hope emerging. Maybe, just maybe, there was a chance for justice to prevail.

I leaned into Timothy's embrace, seeking solace in his reassuring presence. His arms wrapped around me and I hummed peacefully. I knew he was worried about his father, just as I was, but in that moment, we found solace in each other's arms.

"We'll get through this," I whispered, my voice barely above a whisper. "I wonder what they’re going to do with her."

Timothy sighed, his . "We have to," he said, gaze distant as he stared at the far wall. "Hopefully keep her locked away."

Guilt gnawed at my insides as I replayed the events of the past few days in my mind. Mia's twisted plot, Kamran's life hanging in the balance... It was all too much to bear.

"I can't help but feel responsible," I admitted, my voice choked with emotion.

But Timothy cut me off with a gentle shake of his head. "Evie, none of this is your fault," he insisted, his eyes locking with mine. "We wouldn't have known about Mia's plan if it wasn't for you. You did the right thing."

I wanted to believe him, to let his words wash away the guilt that weighed heavy on my soul. I turned to Andy, gratitude swelling within me for the lengths he’d gone to get us here. "Thank you," I said, my voice filled with sincerity. "For doing the right thing."

Andy shrugged nonchalantly, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "No problem," he said, his tone casual. "Just glad it all worked out in the end. Let's just hope my father pulls through after all this mess."

As we waited, the sound of muffled voices drifted through the air, followed by the sharp sound of screaming from one of the interrogation rooms. My heart lurched at the sound, a shrill shriek that pierced my ears.

“Is that my mother acting like that?” I asked the officer nearby.

He nodded. "They're interrogating her," the officer explained, his expression grim. "She's claiming innocence, but we already have her confession from the call."

A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of Mia's lies unraveling before the truth. In that moment, I knew that justice would prevail, but I hadn’t expected to feel so numb by it.

And as we waited for the inevitable reckoning, I clung to Timothy's hand. My heart still raced from the adrenaline we’d all experienced. I’d doubted her for so long, not wanting my own mother to be capable of such cruelty, even as I’d witnessed it first-hand.

I patted Timothy’s hand and detached myself from him for the moment. I then approached one of the officers, my voice trembling as I asked the question that had been gnawing at me since Mia's arrest.

"What are you going to do with her?" I inquired, my gaze searching his face for any hint of an answer.

The officer's expression remained impassive as he replied, "We'll be contacting the embassy regarding the matter. It's possible that she will be extradited back to her country, but nothing is certain at this point."

A knot formed in my stomach at his words, the uncertainty of my mother’s fate weighing heavily on my mind. Despite everything she had done, a small part of me couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for her downfall.

"He asks if Mia has any other family, but Evie admits that she’s the only family her mother has, and can handle any legal matters necessary, but that’s it."

The officer's next question caught me off guard, his voice probing as he asked, "Does Mia have any other family we should be aware of?"

I shook my head, a bitter taste lingering on my tongue. "I'm her only family," I admitted, the words heavy with resignation. "I can handle any legal matters that arise, but that's about it."

The weight of responsibility settled over me like a suffocating blanket, the realization that Mia's fate now rested in my hands sending a shiver down my spine. But despite my apprehension, I knew that I had to see this through to the end.

The sound of commotion drew my attention towards the interrogation rooms, where Mia was being escorted out by a pair of officers. Her eyes locked onto mine, a flicker of desperation flashing across her face.

"Evie," she called out, her voice laced with urgency. "Can you represent me as my attorney?"

I hesitated, my mind racing as I weighed the implications of her request. Beside me, Timothy's expression was grim.

"Evie," she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation. "Please, you have to represent me in court. You're the only one I can trust!"

I recoiled instinctively, a surge of revulsion coursing through me at the mere thought of standing by Mia's side after everything that had transpired between us. How could she even suggest such a thing after pointing a gun at her own daughter?

The bile rose in my throat, threatening to choke me as I struggled to find the words to respond. Anger, disgust, and confusion warred within me, each emotion vying for dominance as I grappled with the impossible situation before me.

"Mom, I..." I began, my voice faltering as I struggled to articulate the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. "After everything that's happened, how could you even ask me to do that?"

But Mia's desperation only seemed to intensify, her eyes pleading with me to relent. "Please, Evie," she begged, her voice raw with emotion. "I know I messed up, but I need your help. We’re the only family that each other has left."

Her words cut through me like a knife, stirring a tumultuous mix of guilt and sympathy within my heart. Despite everything, Mia was still my mother. It was a painful yet unforgettable fact.

But even as my heart ached with conflicted emotions, a sense of righteous indignation burned within me. How could Mia expect me to forgive and forget so easily, to sweep aside the trauma she had inflicted upon me?

I met Timothy's gaze, silently pleading for me not to consider. I had already made up my mind. With a heavy heart, I turned back to Mia.

"I'm sorry," I said, the words catching in my throat. "But representing you would be a conflict of interest. I can't do it."

Mia's face contorted with rage, her screams echoing through the corridor as the officers dragged her away.