Chapter 363

The sound of metal clinking against flesh echoed through the courtroom, and I glanced over to see my mother being escorted off the stand in cuffs. My heart lurched in my chest as I watched her being led away, her head bowed in defeat.

A wave of despair washed over me, threatening to drown me in its depths. This wasn't how it was supposed to end. My mother, once a force to be reckoned with, now reduced to nothing more than a prisoner in her own skin.

The courtroom felt like a vacuum, sucking in all the air, leaving only the heavy weight of finality hanging in the atmosphere. I watched, numb, as my mother was escorted back to her cell. The sound of metal clinking against her wrists echoed in my mind.

Timothy rubbed my back with a wide grin plastered across his face. "Can you believe it? Innocent on all counts!" His words were filled with excitement, but my heart couldn't resonate with his joy.

I forced a smile, trying to mirror his enthusiasm, but it felt hollow on my lips. "Yeah, it's great news," I replied, my voice lacking the conviction I wished it had.

Timothy's expression softened as he observed me. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, his brow furrowing with concern.

I glanced back at the scene unfolding in the courtroom, where my mother was being led away. "It's nothing," I muttered, trying to dismiss the unease gnawing at my insides.

But Timothy wasn't convinced. "Evie, I can tell when something's bothering you. Talk to me."

I hesitated, unsure whether I wanted to burden him with my inner turmoil. But his unwavering support compelled me to confide in him. "I just... I can't shake this feeling, Tim. Seeing my mom taken away like that... it's like a part of me is being torn apart."

Understanding dawned in Timothy's eyes as he nodded sympathetically. "Do you want to talk to her? Get some closure before she's taken back?"

The suggestion hung in the air, heavy with the weight of its implications. Closure. It was a concept I desperately craved yet feared at the same time. But I knew deep down that I needed it, for my own sanity if nothing else.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded. "Yeah, I think I do."

With Timothy by my side, I made my way to the holding area where they were keeping Mia. Each step felt like a lead weight dragging me closer to a confrontation I wasn't sure I was ready for.

As we approached the barred door, I hesitated, my hand hovering uncertainly over the cold metal. Mia was already aware of our presence; I could feel her eyes boring into me, silent yet piercing.

Summoning all the courage I could muster, I pushed open the door and stepped inside the dimly lit room. Mia was seated on a narrow cot, her gaze fixed on some distant point as if lost in thought.

"Mom," I said softly, the word tasting foreign on my tongue.

Mia's eyes flickered to mine, her expression inscrutable. "Evie," she replied, her voice devoid of its usual warmth.

Timothy hung back, giving us space but remaining within arm's reach. The air in the holding area felt thick with tension as I stood before my mother. Her eyes held nothing but resentment and defiance. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the confrontation that lay ahead.

"Mom," I began, my voice barely above a whisper, "I know you don't want to see me, but I needed to speak with you."

She scoffed, the sound sharp and biting. "What could you possibly have to say to me, Evie? Haven't you done enough already?"

Her words stung, but I refused to let them deter me. "I just wanted to say that... I'm glad you decided to tell the truth. Despite everything that's happened, we're still family. We can find a way to make things right, to move forward together."

Mia's laughter was bitter, a stark contrast to the melodic sound I remembered from my childhood. "Don't patronize me, Evie. I don't need your pity, and I certainly don't need your forgiveness."

Her words cut deep, slicing through the fragile hope I had been clinging to. "It's not pity, Mia. It's love," I insisted, my voice wavering with emotion. "And no matter what happens, that will never change."

Mia's expression hardened, her resolve unwavering. "Save your sentimentality for someone who cares, Evie. I intend on getting out of here, one way or another. Kamran will see to it."

The mention of Kamran, her wealthy husband, sent a shiver down my spine. "Kamran won't be bailing you out anymore, Mia," I said quietly, my words laced with a hint of bitterness. "He sees through your schemes, just like the rest of us. You're on your own now."

For a moment, there was a flicker of fear in Mia's eyes, a crack in her façade of indifference. But it was quickly replaced by a steely resolve. "Fine," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "If you won't help me, then leave. I don't need you or your empty promises."

The finality of her words hung in the air like a heavy weight, crushing the fragile bond that still lingered between us.

I struggled to find the right words, the torrent of emotions swirling inside me threatening to overwhelm me. "I just wanted to... I don't know, say goodbye, I guess."

There was a flicker of something in Mia's eyes, too quick for me to decipher before it was gone. "Just leave," she said.

Tears welled up in my eyes, threatening to spill over at any moment. "I wish things could have been different," I whispered, my voice barely audible above the dull hum of the fluorescent lights.

Mia's mask slipped for a fraction of a second, revealing the raw pain etched into her features. "So do I, Evie. So do I."

The silence that followed was suffocating, stretching between us like an impassable chasm. There were a million things I wanted to say, a million questions I wanted to ask, but the words remained lodged in my throat, choked by the weight of our shared history.

Timothy cleared his throat, breaking the tension that hung in the air like a heavy fog. "We should probably go," he said gently, his voice a lifeline in the darkness.

Reluctantly, I nodded, tearing my gaze away from Mia's and making my way towards the door. As I stepped back into the harsh glare of the hallway, I felt a piece of myself shatter, leaving behind only fragments of the girl I used to be.

Closure, I realized, was a double-edged sword. As I watched the guards lead my mother away, her figure growing smaller with each step, I couldn't help but wonder if closure was even the right word for this.

As I emerged back into the hallway, I felt a mixture of relief and sorrow wash over me. The conversation with Mia had been painful, but necessary. She may not have wanted my help, but at least I could rest knowing that I had tried.

I found Aria and Lucas waiting for us, their expressions filled with concern. Without a word, Aria pulled me into a tight embrace.

"We don't have to throw a big party tonight," she said softly. "We can just have a nice quiet night at the apartment."

With a weary smile, I nodded. "That would be nice," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion.