185

Bella's eyes turned desperate as she tried to turn the tables on Zara. "This is all a setup, Fred! Zara is framing me!"

But Fred's face was inflexible. "I am calling the police, Bella. This is over."

Bella's face contorted with fear and anger as she reached to touch Fred's arm, but Clara stepped forward, flashing her angry eyes.

"Don't touch my son with this filth you call a hand," Clara spat, her words dripping with venom.

Bella's hand jerked back as if singed, as she took a step backward, her eyes darting quickly between Fred and Clara.

"Oh, you'll pay for this," she snarled, her words quivering with malice. "I'll make you pay for this."

But Fred just shook his head, the phone already in his hand. "I'm done playing your games, Bella. It's over."

As Fred dialed the police, the mask of innocence and charm fell to pieces, showing the ugliness underneath. She knew she had been caught red-handed, and there was no getting out.

Sirens were wailing distantly, the pitch growing louder with e