Chapter 8

"See?" Kennedy added, fanning the flames. "The truth is out. Eva has always been jealous of me and my family. She was trying to take it out on my brother."

She put on a magnanimous face. "We won' t press charges, Aubrey. For your sake."

I didn' t say anything else. I just locked my eyes on Aubrey, waiting. This was it. The final test. I refused to believe he could think I was capable of such a thing.

His brow was still furrowed in thought when the precinct captain walked in. He greeted Aubrey with a deference that spoke to his family' s influence.

"Mr. Gregory, this seems to be a simple misunderstanding. We' ll just mediate and let your fiancée go."

Aubrey shook his head slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. "No, Captain. Treat this as you would any other case. My fiancée is not above the law."

A cold dread washed over me. I stared at him in disbelief.

His gaze was hard, unforgiving. "You have become arrogant and reckless, Eva. You are an embarrassment to my family. You need to be taught a lesson."

He turned to the captain. "Hold her for assault. As per regulations."

"Aubrey, no," I whispered, panic rising in my throat. "My train... I can' t be locked up."

"This is what you deserve," he said, his voice devoid of any emotion. "It will give you time to reflect on your behavior. I' ll come back for you in three days."

Kennedy shot me a look of pure triumph.

Aubrey turned and walked out, Kennedy and Kian trailing behind him like vultures.

I closed my eyes, a wave of pure despair washing over me.

I spent a miserable night in a cold, damp holding cell. The next morning, a different officer unlocked the door. He was an older man, with a kind face and weary eyes. He was the director of the Public Security Bureau, a man who knew my father and had always looked out for me.

"Director," I said, surprised.

He sighed, the sound heavy with disappointment. "I heard what happened, Eva. I know you. You' re not that kind of girl."

My throat tightened. "Thank you, sir."

After everything, after the man I loved had thrown me to the wolves, this near-stranger' s simple faith in me was almost enough to make me break. He could see the truth so clearly, while Aubrey was willfully blind.

"Kian's injuries are minor," he said, his voice grim. "There was no reason to hold you overnight. Aubrey pressured the captain."

He looked at me, a sad understanding in his eyes. "You' ve done a lot for him, for his unit. You' re a good woman, Eva. He doesn' t deserve you."

He clapped a hand on my shoulder. "I' ve already spoken to the captain. You' re free to go. If Aubrey has a problem with it, he can come to me."

I gripped his hand, my voice hoarse. "Thank you, Director. I... I' ll never forget this."

"Go on, daughter. Go live your life."

I went back to the apartment. It was empty. I packed my bag. It didn' t take long.

I wrote a short letter to my cousin, telling her the engagement was off and that I was going away to school. I left it with the money and remaining cash I had managed to save.

Then I walked to the train station, never looking back.

As the train pulled away from the station, I felt a sense of release so profound it was almost painful.

I was finally free.