Chapter 1 :

*She deserves to be punished*

*Let her suffer!!*

The protesters at the court kept chanting and all Althea did was lower head in embarrassment.

She has never been this embarrassed in her entire life. It's a situation where she can't turn back the hands of time even if she wanted to.

A situation where only she had the answers to.

She listened quietly to them rain abusive words at her. Their words alone tore her soul to pieces. Everyone sees her as a murderer, they all want her to suffer for the crimes she did not commit.

If only they have even the slightest idea that she's innocent and the real murderer is out there, lurking around and living freely.

"Ms Althea Grace Miller, do you plead guilty or not guilty for the attempted murder of Ms Katie Rolland?" Asked the judge.

Slowly, she raised her head up, her eyes lurking through the crowd that had gathered to watch her receive her punishment.

Her eyes searched through for that one person who had promised to be there for her. For that one person who had promised not to let her suffer!

Then their eyes met at a single trace. A glint of hope flashed through her eyes and all she did was release a faint smile.

He was seated at the back with a face cap on but he averted his gaze as soon as their eyes met and pulled his hat over his face properly.

She did not read meaning into it. She thought he was only trying to keep his identity hidden, with how influential he is. She quickly turned to the judge and Said..

"I plead guilty your honour. I, Althea Grace Miller attempted to kill Katie Rolland!" She admitted confidently and the protesters did not stop asking that she be punished severely.

"By the powers vested on me as the judge of this noble Court, I hereby sentence you to five years imprisonment and with hard labor, for the attempted murder of Ms Katie Rolland, and this is my verdict"

The judge hit his gravel hard, indicating a final judgement.

There was an uproar from the protesters who were chanting happily that she has been punished rightly.

Time stood still for Althea as the judge's words resounded in her head. She thought she hadn't heard rightly but it was indeed happening.

She was stunned beyond words.How? Why?

Her heart stopped beating and she felt a loud bang on her head. Five years imprisonment? That's not what she had expected. That is not the promise he made to her.

She could vividly remember, the things he made her believe. How then is this happening?

For a moment, she felt she was actually living in a nightmare. Her mind raced, trying to process the information.

She took a step back, her eyes blinking out the tears that has just been formed on the corner of her eyes, wishing that the ground would just open and swallow her up.

Her face felt numb, her skin crawling with a mix of shock, denial and fear.

Her eyes graced the crowd again but he wasn't at his spot. Her eyes darted towards the exit door and there he was, leaving the courtroom.

Anger burnt within her and she turned, attempting to leave the dock. The officers came to her immediately, holding her back.

"Let me go officers, there's someone I must meet!" She said, struggling to break free from their hold.

When she saw they weren't letting her go, she mustered up all her strength and pulled herself from their grip, then she rushed over to the one person who had given her hope.

She stood in front of him and clenched his collars tightly. Her eyes burning with fury, she watched him closely, seeing how stunned he looked.

He must be wondering why she's suddenly in front of him. Of Course, she demands answers as to why nothing worked out as planned.

"What is going on Oscar? Why is this happening? Why am I being sentenced to five years in prison?" She questioned, her voice cracking from the tears she was trying to fight back.

"Calm down Althea..."

She poked his chest. "Don't tell me to calm down. This wasn't our agreement! You promised I was going to get a light sentence, is this the light sent you're talking about? Is this all you could do after everything I've done for you?"

" You agreed to do it, didn't you? I never forced you into it remember? You clearly accepted, how is it my fault if nothing worked out as planned?

Her eyes dilated in shock. Did he just say that to her?

"You Jerk!!"

She thundered, grabbing his collar again. But his next action let her astound.

He pulled her grip from his collar, and pushed her away slightly, being weak, she fell to the ground.

"I made a terrible mistake showing up here! I shouldn't have come here to witness this.."

Those were his last words before leaving.

"Oscar!!!" Althea growled, getting up but it was too late, the officers already caught her.

She stared at his exiting figure, tears circulating her eyes. What has gotten over Oscar? Why would he say that to her?

Those were the questions reeling in her mind.

This isn't what he had promised her! Not at all..!

Did she make the biggest mistake of her life by taking the fall for him just because he asked her to?

Did she just ruin her career and life for the man she loves only to be turned against?

Did he manipulate her into admitting to something she didn't do just so she'd be used as a pawn? Is that it?

Her mind drifted back to a month ago and she recalled exactly how everything had happened.

________________

There was a knock on the door and Althea went to get it. She was stunned to see Oscar, he brushed past her in haste as though he was being chased.

"What is it Oscar, why do you look as though you have seen a ghost or something! "

He hurried off to the refrigerator, took out a bottle and drank, his hands trembling, still she looked at him, curiosity and confusion etched on her face.

"I'm in a mess right now Althea.. The police are on the look out. They think that I murdered her but I swear I didn't. I didn't kill her, it's all just a mix up" He said.

Still, she doesn't understand what he's saying.

"What? Police? murder? How?" She questioned.

" I don't have time to explain Althea, but I'm in a big mess right now. I can't let the police find me, I can't go to jail.. my reputation, my business, everything will be ruined.." He panicked.

" Honestly Oscar, I have no idea what you're talking about. You keep speaking in a language that I can't understand "

He turned his back against her, his hands brushing through his hair. Any moment from now, the police will be right here.

He has to do something else he's going to regret it for the rest of his life. There has to be a way to escape this.

He turned around sharply and held Althea's hands.

"Help me Althea.. Don't let them arrest me! Don't let my reputation be ruined"

She looked at him confused, a slight frown forming on her forehead.

"What do you mean? What are you saying?"

"Take the fall for me Althea... Please!"

She withdrew her hands from him immediately.

"That's outrageous! No! Why would I take the fall over something I know nothing off. If you are innocent, why are you scared? Why are you running away?"

She stepped away from him.

Oscar fell down on his knees. This was the only solution he could come up with and if she doesn't agree to it, then he's done for.

"Please take the fall for me Althea. I promise, I'll get you out as soon as possible. please!"

Althea was stunned beyond words. Still she had no answers to her, her heart contemplating if she should give in or just turn away.

Can she really do this?

This is murder case, can she really risk everything just for the man she loves?

Slowly, she crouched to his level and lifted his head up. She gazed into his eyes to see his desperation.

He said he'd get her out as soon as possible.. She's going to take his words for it, being how wealthy he his. But it will be difficult to get himself out of jail if he's arrested.

But they is no harm in doing anything for the sake of the one you love.

With a deep sigh, she said..."I'll take the fall for you Oscar!"