TROYAs soon as we stepped out of the room, the commissioner and his aides were nowhere to be seen.We got into the car, and I began to drive."You couldn't stop smiling at that old man," I said after a few minutes on the road.She sighed. "Don't remind me. I don’t think I’ve smiled that much in my entire life. My cheeks are sore."I smirked. "As long as you were uncomfortable, I feel better. But why all the praise and calling him an honest man? If he was truly honest, he would've turned down the money and helped you uncover the truth.""Couldn't you tell I was buttering him up?" she said, shaking her head. "He’s nothing like I described. I could have met him without my godfather’s help, but it would’ve taken longer, and I’m not that patient. He’s not easily bribed by money, but he has a weakness for young, beautiful women."I scoffed. "So that’s why you acted like we were a couple? No secrets between us, huh? Now I feel used.""You were the one who said I could use you," she reminded
MARIANNE Troy's car pulled up in front of Ray Industries. From across the passenger seat, I gave him a small smile before glancing back. The two police vans that had escorted us stopped behind our car. Twelve armed officers emerged, standing ready and waiting for my command. I smiled in satisfaction. Inspector Astrid, the officer assigned to me by the commissioner, had proven to be highly efficient. I had only spoken with him this morning, explaining what I needed, and he acted swiftly, providing the officers and assuring me he would be available whenever I required. Troy and I walked into the building with our heads held high, the twelve officers trailing behind. Our presence caused an immediate stir. Employees stared at us in silence, their faces pale with unease, while the security guards stood aside, respectful of the armed officers’ authority. I ignored them all. These faces were familiar, but they meant nothing to me now. I had one target: the chairman’s office—the off
MARIANNE I glanced up and was struck by how much Tony had changed. The man standing before me bore little resemblance to the one I had struck with a gun just days ago. His well-trimmed beard gave him a polished look, but I wasn’t fooled. He might deceive the world, but not me. He strode toward the table, arrogance radiating from him. "Marianne was my best friend," he declared smugly. "And I know for a fact she had no sister." I scoffed. "Her best friend? Funny, she never mentioned you to me—not once. If you were so close, why would she keep your existence from me?" I leaned forward, locking eyes with him. "Besides, what gives you the right to challenge my relationship with my sister? Were you involved with her in a way that grants you any legal right to question me?" His expression faltered, and I saw the crack in his composure. He couldn’t bring up the name of Marianne’s husband—after all, Tony was supposed to be dead. "No matter what you say, I don’t believe your lies,"
MARIANNE I stepped on my brake pedal and gave myself a minute to catch my breath. My hands were shivering and I felt chilled to the bone. I still could not believe what I had just seen. I opened my phone and watched for the umpteenth time, the pornographic video that had been sent to me anonymously. My husband of almost two years was in bed, having sex with a woman that wasn't me. His face was revealed in the video, while hers was concealed. The only thing I could make of the woman was her slender wrist and the gold bracelet around it. It seemed oddly familiar but I could not remember where I had seen it. For two years, I believed my marriage was the best in the world because my husband, Tony adored me and worshipped the ground I walked on. I was the richest woman in the city and my company, RAY INDUSTRIES was the number one in the country, yet, my happiest moments were the ones spent with my husband. That was how much I loved him. How could he betray my trust? Hands still
MARIANNE At the police station, I was cuffed and kept in a dimly lit room with four chairs, one table, and a window. I was exhausted and my eyes were puffy from crying. Even though Tony cheated on me, he was the love of my life and I could not believe he was no more. In a flash, I had become a widow; the youngest I knew because I had just turned twenty, a month ago. The three policemen sat in front of me, questioning me as though I were a common criminal. "Don't you know who I am?" I asked. "I own foundations, charity organizations, and free hospitals. I help people, not hurt them. No matter what, I could never murder a man I loved with my life." "Stop beating around the bush and answer the damn question!" One of the policemen yelled at me, slapping his palms on the table. I didn't have to be a police officer or a lawyer to know that what the men were doing was not standard procedure. They were biased toward me and I had no idea why. "I won't speak any more until my lawy
MARIANNE I sighed in relief as I thanked Britney repeatedly. "There's no need to thank me," she expressed. "You are my best friend and I will do anything for you." The next morning, just as my lawyer had promised, I was arraigned before a judge. I had been restless throughout the night as it was my first time being in a cell. I tried not to cry because I knew it wouldn't help my situation. I convinced myself that I was just unfortunate. I never should have married Tony. After the judge questioned me, I took a plea of not guilty. My attorney didn't seem pleased by that but I didn't care. No one was going to make me admit to something I never did. Since it was my first appearance, I expected that I would be granted bail and allowed to show up in court from the comfort of my home during the preliminary hearings. I planned to get the best lawyer for myself once I was released on bail and got access to my phone. However, nothing like that happened. The judge allowed a ten minutes re
MARIANNE Everything felt like a dream. Just like that, I had been condemned for something I never did. My only crime was being too kind and trusting the wrong people. As I was being transported by ship along with a few other prisoners, the judge's words echoed in my ears, "This court finds the accused; Mrs. Tony, guilty of first-degree murder and sentences her to life imprisonment with hard labor in the Norwegian Island Prison. I recalled the triumphant look on Britney's face as I was being taken away and could not understand what I ever did wrong to her. When I met her so many years ago, I had just finished high school. Being the daughter of the richest man in the city, I lived in affluence as opposed to her who was struggling to get by. I saw her working as a waiter at a party and took her side when a guest treated her disrespectfully. We got close from that night and I got to find out that she had no family. She was an orphan who had to work from a very young age just to
MARIANNE If it weren't for the date and time stamp on the video, I would have thought Paula was lying to me. As I watched the video, everything began to piece together in my head. I recalled when Tony had first approached me for a relationship. I had refused his advances, especially since I had just clocked eighteen, but Britney kept encouraging me to give him a chance, claiming we were perfect for each other and would be together forever. Back then, I was amazed at how Tony and I had the same tastes, interests, and even fashion sense. I believed he was truly destined for me. Only after Paula's revelation did I realize that Britney had planted him in my life and told him about my likes and dislikes. No wonder he seemed so perfect in my eyes and I ended up falling in love with him. They deceived me for so long and plotted my downfall. The false testimonies from my secretary and Tony's sister finally made more sense to me. I felt so much anger surge within me and a deep year