Chapter 64
1401words
Carlos Knight was the presiding judge and after listening to the evidences plus her witness statement, it was proven without doubt that Evan wanted to murder her mother because he had the belief that she had been the one to kill his own mother. The judge had listened and after minutes in court, Evan was handed a five year sentence and two years of psychiatric service.
She rode home with her mother after the court guards had escorted Evan out, he still had that deranged smile that caused chills to run down her spine. Her father on the other hand, had rushed off to work claiming that he had a very important meeting to attend but she knew better.
Her family hadn't been the same after the entire situation, her father seemed more withdrawn and spoke less while her mother snapped at everyone for the littlest mistakes. She'd dumped the entire packaging of the drugs that she previously ordered and swore off pills for life.
Even Rosa didn't smile like she used to, the Rochester household was completely shook and she understood the feeling.
"Are you hungry? I could make us a quick snack," Her mother sighed, taking off the large beige jacket and handing it to the brunette maid.
"No," She muttered, shaking her head, "I'm not hungry, I think I'll just go to bed."
Her mother paused and slowly swiveled to face her, "You didn't eat anything this morning and last night too," Aurora didn't reply, instead rubbed her elbows, "And I noticed you haven't been sleeping your room either."
"I can't bring myself to," She swallowed as she forced out the next statement, "Not after finding out that he put a camera in there."
Miriam sighed, "Make me a coffee, Sarah. No sugar," She hadn't even noticed that the girl had been standing there since, the large coat neatly folded in her hands.
"Yes, ma'am," She bobbed her head, brown curls bouncing with the movement.
Her mother gestured with her head towards the living room, "Come on."
She silently trudged after her and they rounded the large sofa, settling on top the two seater. Miriam shifted so that she was properly facing her,
"Honey," Aurora's eyes flickered upwards, "I know you're still traumatized by what happened but it's over now, the guys I employed are really good. Your room is completely safe and camera free."
It wasn't that she didn't believe her mother. She was there when those guys came to sweep her room, they found three hidden cameras in total and assured her that there was nothing left. Yet, the realization that Evan was truly watching her all this while brought a sickening feeling to her gut.
"It's not that," She stuttered, shaking her head, "I can't sleep there because each time I'm in that room, I remember that he has seen me do so many things and I feel dirty. I feel disgusted, mom."
Miriam sighed, grabbing her hand and squeezing gently, "I understand," She smiled gently but Aurora couldn't bring herself to return the gesture, "You can sleep in the last room if you want-"
"No," She interjected with a small shake of the head, "The couch is fine."
Miriam opened her mouth and tried to say something but Aurora gave her a resolved look and she closed her jaw, nodding.
"If you say so."
Sarah returned with the coffee moments later and her mother thanked her before grabbing the large mug and taking a sip from its content.
"Do you think dad will be fine?" She suddenly asked, causing her mother to arch a brow.
Miriam gingerly took another sip before responding, "Of course, he has to. Besides I warned him about letting that crazy boy into our home." She sighed and relaxed against the backrest, "I'm just glad that this didn't get out, we don't need any scandal when the contest is just a few days away."
She threw her mother an aghast look, it was just revealed that someone had tried to kill her, been messing with her drugs and all she was concerned about was a scandal?
Aurora briefly wondered if it was a coping mechanism.
"We saw those pictures you know, me and your dad," Miriam muttered and the sky crackled at the end of her statement, causing Aurora to flinch, "I can't believe he would do something like that. I always knew he was a creep but to do this," She broke off, taking another sip from her cup.
Her hackles rose and she clenched her fingers together, "You saw the pictures?"
Her mother nodded absentmindedly, her attention fixed on the large wedding picture hung on the far side of the wall. She watched her mother's expression,
It was calm. Far too calm which only meant that she didn't see the one of her and Ryan. Then that would mean that it wasn't saved on his laptop,
But if it wasn't there then where was it?
Aurora sincerely hoped that wherever it was, it should be a place where Evan would never be able to get his hands on again.
But there was another pressing question, one that she needed an answer to.
"What about you?" She queried and her mother's gaze snapped towards her.
"What about me?"
Aurora gulped, untangling her fingers before sitting up straight, "Evan was quite adamant that you were behind his mother's death," She paused before asking, "Did you do it? Did you kill her?"
The silence that followed was haunting, the only sound echoing was the ticking of the clock and the rain that fell against the roof and slapped the windows. Her mother's eyes had glazed over and she held her breath in anticipation. Then Miriam spoke,
"Do you really want to know the answer?"
He heart thudded as she bobbed her head in response, "Yes."
Her mother inhaled sharply, clutching the arm of the mug like it was a lifeline, "While I didn't kill his mother, I was involved in her death."
Now this piqued her interest and she shifted closer, "What do you mean?"
"That October night, I'd called Racheal out to meet with her but we never even saw when that terrible accident happened." Her tone cracked as she said this and Aurora peered at her.
"What happened?
Her mother drew in another long breath, grey eyes falling on her, "I wanted to give her one last warning, threaten her to stop calling your father out at odd hours. I wanted her to stay away forever and I'd brought a substantial amount with me but after waiting for hours and she didn't show up," Miriam paused, a crinkle appearing between her brows, "I assumed that she didn't want to take my offer so I left. The next day I heard about the poor woman who got crushed to death by a high-speed van,"
"Evan was convinced that I had a hand in it. After all, I had suspiciously called her out and sent her countless threatening messages. He believed I hired the van that took his mother's life."
"And did you?" The question slipped out of her lips before she realized it but she didn't regret it. Not when it was highly possible that her mother had killed someone.
However, Miriam didn't look too offended by the question, "Your father also didn't believe me either but no, I had no hand in her death. All I regret is calling her out that night, maybe if I hadn't Racheal Micheals would still be alive."
She sighed, reaching out to take her mother's hand, "You didn't know. You were just a woman trying to save her marriage."
Her mother gave her a weak smile and she returned the gesture, although her lips shook as it did.
Miriam curled her hand around her fingers, squeezing back, "We're going to be fine. It's over now."
She nodded, convincing herself that she didn't have to worry anymore. Evan was behind bars and this chapter was closed.
It was well and truly over.
