Chapter Seven: Mark Scent

The older woman sighed, her voice heavy with emotion. "I can’t stay with you all for long. I’ll head home once Elizah gets better.""

"She’s fine already, Mom. Look at her! She doesn’t even care about Liam anymore," Julie shot back, her tone sharp and defensive.

"Julie, that’s enough. Don’t talk about your sister like that. She’s been through a horrible experience—"

Julie cut her off with a bitter laugh. "Oh, I understand her situation perfectly, Mom. She nearly drove me crazy with her panic! But let’s not forget, I got hurt too. My engagement crumbled at the same time!" Her voice wavered, anger and sadness bubbling up.

Suddenly, a voice erupted from the other room, trembling with rage. "So I’m the bad guy now? Your fiancé assaulted me, and somehow I’m to blame?"

Elizah, shaking and hysterical, stormed into the conversation. Their mom was immediately on edge, trying to calm her down, while Julie just sighed, overwhelmed and unsure what to do. Everything in her life felt like a mess.

Julie had given up on fixing the situation with Elizah. Instead, she decided to visit Liam in prison. Maybe closure was the only way forward.

When Liam saw her, his face lit up with hope. "Julie! I thought you’d never come. Listen, you have to trust me. My dad’s hired a lawyer. If you and Elizah testify for me, I’ll be out of here." His voice was pleading, his eyes filled with desperation.

Julie shook her head, her expression stoic. "No, Liam. That’s not why I’m here." Her voice was steady, but her heart felt heavy.

"What are you saying, Julie? You don’t believe me?"

"I believe the evidence," she replied, finally looking him in the eyes. "I’m here to end things. It’s over between us. Tell your dad we’re not testifying. I can’t be with you, Liam. Even after you’re free."

Julie walked away, ignoring Liam’s cries for her to come back. It hurt, but she knew there was no going back. Her heart was too shattered to pick up the pieces again.

Later, she went to a nearby park, seeking some fresh air and a moment of peace. Just as she started to relax, her phone rang.

"Yes, Officer?" she answered, cheeks warming when she saw Mark’s name. He invited her out, but she declined with a soft excuse about her hospital night shift. When he insisted on visiting her instead, she couldn’t help but smile.

"You really don’t have to come all the way here!" she protested, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

When Mark arrived, they stood by the hospital entrance for a brief moment. "It’s all over now—me and Liam," Julie murmured, leaning against the wall.

Mark’s voice was calm, steady. "He got what he deserved, Julie. Don’t beat yourself up about it."

Julie sighed. "I’m not trying to defend him. I just feel like I was too harsh."

Mark brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch light and comforting. "You did what you had to. Don’t let it weigh on you."

Julie blushed, caught off guard by his kindness. But she had work to do, so she excused herself, promising to see him later.

Mark said he’d pick her up at 7 a.m., but instead, he stayed in his car the whole night, waiting. When Julie knocked on his window at dawn, she was surprised.

"You stayed here all night?"

Mark avoided her gaze, starting the car. "Where should I take you? Home, or…"

"Can we go to your place instead?" Julie asked, hesitant.

"My place?" Mark raised an eyebrow.

Julie sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I just… I can’t go back to mine. Elizah won’t stop defending Liam, saying all these weird things. I need a break."

Mark reached over, his hand brushing her cheek. "You’ve been through enough. Don’t stress over her nonsense."

"But Mark," Julie said quietly, "she told me something strange."

"What did she say?"

"She said… your scent feels familiar to her."

Mark froze, his hands tightening on the wheel. For a moment, there was only silence between them.