Chapter 5 Rather Die Than Beg Him

The sky was still cloaked in darkness when Bethany stumbled out of the car at 5 a.m., her breath fogging in the crisp morning air. She rushed inside the police station, heart pounding.

"Are you Bethany Harper?" A middle-aged officer looked her up and down, voice gruff.

"Y-yes, that's me."

He gave a curt nod and led her through the narrow hallway toward the interrogation room.

"Your younger brother attacked someone with a knife. There are witnesses and solid evidence. No one was seriously hurt, but his actions are inexcusable. Even if he's underage, there's no escaping criminal responsibility."

The officer's irritation was palpable as he continued, "Parents today just don't discipline their kids properly. But when those kids cross a line like this, suddenly everyone's anxious."

Bethany felt a tremor run through her entire body. The officer's harsh words made her pulse quicken. "Officer, there must be some mistake. My brother has always been so obedient-he's never even been in a fight before. How could he-"

Her voice faltered. Shawn was a boy with a quiet demeanor and gentle eyes. She knew he'd done this for her.

"You can ask him yourself. The cameras caught everything. And there were plenty of witnesses."

With a push, the officer opened the door to the interrogation room, gesturing toward the young man sitting inside. "He won't tell us why he did it. Maybe you can talk some sense into him. If he cooperates and the victim decides not to press charges, he might still have a chance."

Bethany's gaze was drawn to the figure seated inside, but before she could step in, the clattering sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor.

A group of officers appeared, flanked by two young men.

"Mr. Wells, if you want to press charges, you'll need to get a medical report first."

Bethany's breath caught in her throat when she saw Julian and Leland walking toward them.

Her mind went blank, and a ringing sound filled her ears.

The officer beside her inclined his head toward them. "That one in white," he muttered, nodding at Julian. "That's the person your brother attacked."

Julian's arm was bandaged, and he looked thoroughly displeased, irritation etched across his features.

Beside him, Leland, dressed in all black, watched on indifferently, hands casually tucked in his pockets.

The two men, one flamboyant and unrestrained, the other cold and distant, stood out like wolves among sheep-clearly not the type to be messed with.

The officer shook his head, wondering why the young man had provoked such a powerful man.

"Bethany?"

Julian's sharp gaze zeroed in on her, and he strode forward with quick, forceful steps.

The smoldering passion he once felt for her had turned into a searing rage.

He towered over her, dressed in clothes so stylish they might've been pulled off the pages of a fashion magazine. But his face was dark with anger.

"You're ruthless, aren't you?" he hissed, the venom in his voice cutting through the air. "What, did you want your brother to kill me? Too bad that kid's just a weakling-a useless bookworm who can't even hold a knife properly, let alone finish the job."

Despite his harsh words, Julian knew that if Leland hadn't stepped in today, Shawn might have actually gotten to him.

Bethany flinched, but she'd prepared herself for this moment. Even so, her heart ached with every syllable.

She balled her hands into tight fists, staring up at him. Even if she hadn't been fond of him in the beginning, after five years together, she'd somehow fallen for him.

She'd thought he'd feel the same way. But it was all just wishful thinking.

Julian had treated her like a possession-something to toy with and discard at will. If she ever dared to push back, he'd strip away her freedom until she was left with nothing.

Now, with her brother's fate hanging in the balance, she knew Julian wouldn't let her off easily.

"Julian, I've given you everything these past few years." Her voice trembled as she fought back the bitterness rising in her throat. "Do you really have to push me to the edge like this?"

"Hmph, don't play the victim with me." Julian's lips curled into a mocking smirk. "You didn't listen when I was being reasonable, so I had to get serious."

Bethany was definitely a beauty. She had many pursuers; if he hadn't helped her back then, she wouldn't have accepted him.

Julian leaned in slightly, his eyes gleaming as he studied her figure. He liked that great figure of hers. His lips curled. "But hey, it's not too late. You can still change your mind."

The officer standing nearby glanced between the two of them, understanding dawning on his face. He'd seen enough to piece it all together.

This was a couple's quarrel that turned violent. A young man, impulsive and protective, had tried to defend his sister, leading to the unfortunate knife incident.

It made the situation clearer.

Usually, disputes like this-especially when they stemmed from romantic entanglements-ended in private settlements.

The officer sighed, speaking softly to Bethany. "Your brother's still young. If Mr. Wells decides to press charges, his whole life could be ruined. Argue with your boyfriend all you want, but don't let it destroy your brother."

Julian's smirk deepened, and he gave his slightly bandaged arm a dramatic shake. "You know what I want, Bethany. Beg me-swallow your pride, and maybe I'll consider..."

"Not a chance!" she spat, trembling with a mix of fury and despair. "I'd rather die than beg you."

Julian's expression darkened, fury flickering across his face. "Fine!" he snapped, voice shaking with barely restrained anger. "Keep pretending to be high and mighty. But your brother? He's going to rot in jail!"

With that, he spun on his heel and stormed off, leaving the corridor in tense silence.

Bethany felt humiliation and grief choke her. Tears welled up, blurring her vision as they slipped down her cheeks.

To think she'd once seen Julian as her savior. What a joke.

She wiped at her tears furiously, catching a glimpse of Leland as he walked past. He didn't spare her a glance, and she didn't bother looking back, turning sharply to enter the interrogation room.

The sharp crack of a slap reverberated through the small room.

Leland paused by the window, gaze drawn to the scene inside.

In the cramped space, Bethany stood over her brother, her hand still raised from the strike. Then, as if drained of all strength, she collapsed forward, wrapping her arms around him in a fierce, silent embrace.

She made no sound. Only tears fell. Her eyes were aggrieved, but they were resolute.