Ximena/Angela’s POV
I couldn’t breathe; I was suffocating under the weight of my helplessness. The doctor said Tristan didn’t need to be admitted until we found a matching donor since his condition wasn’t critical yet, but he was put on medication.“We have to see Hudson, one way or another,” I told Nevaeh, who sat brooding beside me in the living room. She had just been denied access to her father today as well. Something wasn’t right, and we needed help, but how?“The most infuriating part is that plump, red-haired old hag!” Nevaeh snapped, startling me. “I felt like ripping off her stupid head and strangling her! She looked so ridiculous in that uniform,” she ranted, clearly frustrated.“You need to calm down, okay? We need a solid plan to see Hudson. He is the only one who can explain exactly what happened to Camila,” I said, trying to steady my voice.“But how?” Nevaeh turned toward me. “How do we see him without the officers’ permisXimena/Angela’s POVNevaeh sat down beside me in the hospital chair after receiving a call. Tristan had been successfully put to sleep.“This is the hardest and most confusing time of my life,” Nevaeh said wearily. I could feel the burden she carried. “I just got a call from Attorney Kane. My dad’s first trial is tomorrow, but there’s no strong evidence to defend him. The only option is to challenge any evidence presented by the witness or the police. Right now, I’m starting to think my dad will be jailed for a long time,” she sighed heavily.“Do you think he did it?” I asked softly. Hudson is part of my life too, but I had too many burdens of my own to worry about him right now. If he is innocent, he will be vindicated. That was all I could think for now.“Does it even matter what I think? Who would listen to me in court? I was only ten years old when it happened. They will just say my memory isn’t reliable or that I have forgotten important details. I’m just so tired,” she said, her
Ximena/Angela’s POVAunt Sadie remained silent until Penelope had finished with Raven and put her to sleep. “I don’t know why, but I feel the need to help Hudson get out of there. Something tells me that if he doesn’t get out soon, something terrible might happen. Remember how Mila ended up,” Aunt Sadie explained after Penelope left.“Do you think Adeline’s ghost is involved?” I asked awkwardly.“I don’t believe in ghosts or resurrection. Adeline is gone, but her conspirators are still alive,” she said firmly, as if she knew exactly who was behind everything.“Do you know who her conspirators are?” I asked curiously.“I don’t know for sure, but we can find something that could clear Hudson’s name.”“Do you think Adeline killed Camila?”My question was met with a deep, ear-piercing silence. “What do you think?” Aunt Sadie’s retort made me gasp.“Adeline killed Camila?” I blurted out, quickly covering my mouth in
Ximena/Angela’s POVOn my way, I received a call from Nevaeh. “How is Raven feeling?” she asked, concerned.“She’s getting better. I just left the cathedral. How is Tristan?” I asked in return.“He is sleeping peacefully. Mister Kane called me. He said the case has been adjourned, but we need strong evidence to counter what the police have,” she explained, sounding a bit excited about the delay in the case.“That’s great. I’m glad we have more time to gather evidence. Can you visit him tomorrow?” I asked, excitement building inside me. A part of me believed he would be vindicated.“I will try again tomorrow. Will you come with me?” she asked. “Maybe they will listen to you.”“I will be at the hospital tomorrow. We can go from there,” I agreed. “Take care of yourself and get plenty of rest. Don’t stay up late. Tristan will be fine,” I reassured her.“Hmm, you sound so positive. I can’t wait for all this to be over. I want
Ximena/Angela's POV I sat on the veranda, or whatever they claimed to have led me to, but the fresh air helped ease my worry a little. The day was passing by quickly, and nothing seemed to be working out. No solid evidence for Hudson’s case, and no matching donor for Tristan’s transplant. Maybe the fresh air wasn’t enough; if it was, I wouldn’t be thinking so deeply right now. But the most frustrating part is the fact that I couldn’t see. If I had my sight, I’d be up and running, calling and visiting anyone I knew to help. How did I even lose my sight? The fall wasn’t that bad, compared to the one before I regained my memory. Is this some kind of divine test?“Your phone is ringing, ma’am,” Penelope said, handing the phone to me.“Who is calling?” I asked.“Aunt Sadie,” she replied.I picked up the call. “Good day, Aunt Sadie,” I greeted, my tone lightening up.“Good day, Angela. How are you doing today?” she asked, concerned.
Ximena/Angela's POVAndrew helped me out of the car when we reached Aunt Sadie’s house.“Are we there?” I asked him.“Yes, ma’am.”Just then, Aunt Sadie came rushing over. “Where is the pianist, Angela?” she asked, grabbing my hand and leading me inside.“Do you expect me to find a pianist in thirty minutes?” I retorted. “It’s not like there’s an opera house nearby where I could just drag one out.”“What are we going to do now? I can’t play either,” she said, helping me sit down on the couch. She sat beside me.“Can you explain what this is all about?” I asked.“There’s a piano hidden in a safe house on the outskirts of the city. It always baffled me why Adeline would go there just to check on the piano. And the strangest part is she had guards posted at a lonely safe house. That piqued my curiosity. I tried many times to sneak in there alone to see what was in the piano, but I failed,” she explained, then pause
Ximena/Angela's POV“I never knew,” I told Nevaeh after her explanation.“It’s okay. It’s in the past now, anyway,” she sniffed, wiping her tears, I believe. “So, what’s the sudden interest in a piano?” she asked.“Um, I’m not sure, but Aunt Sadie claims to have seen a VHS cassette in a piano that Adeline used to play occasionally.”“What does a VHS cassette have to do with anything?”“She believes there is a hidden truth in it,” I replied.“So, what now? Does she need someone to play the piano or something?”“Exactly. There is a code that unlocks a drawer in the piano where the VHS cassette is kept. I hired a pianist earlier, but none of his tunes could open the drawer,” I explained, feeling overwhelmed.“Well, I don’t know. Besides, I don’t trust that woman. She is not trustworthy.”“I know, but we have to give it a try. What if it’s the key to setting your dad free?” I tried to persuade her.
Ximena/Angela’s POVAunt Sadie was on about the pianist again. She said he had arrived, and I should hurry to the safe house.“I have to go out, Nevaeh. Aunt Sadie found another pianist, and she wants us to give him a try,” I told her after hanging up the call.“I will come with you. Just give me a minute to change,” she said, heading to the bathroom. She paused and looked back at me. “You should stop calling that woman ‘Aunt.’ She doesn’t deserve that much respect,” she added before going in.In about thirty minutes, we arrived at the safe house. “Is he making progress?” I asked Aunt Sadie as soon as we entered.“He is just getting started,” she replied.The pianist began playing, hitting the keys, over and over, just like the first one.“I think it’s time we grab an axe and crack this thing open. What do you think?” I suggested, feeling frustrated. “My legs are aching.”“Not as badly as mine,” Nevaeh added.
Ximena/Angela’s POV“Your grandma is worse than the devil,” Aunt Sadie said.“Don’t talk to me. Weren’t you her accomplice?” Nevaeh snapped.“I never killed anybody,” Aunt Sadie defended herself.“Did anyone notice the video is finished, and we have found nothing important?” I asked, drawing their attention.“It’s not finished, Angela. It’s a compiled VHS. There are multiple episodes,” Aunt Sadie explained and started the next video.We watched as Miss White, Camila, stormed into Adeline’s room.“How dare you?” Camila growled, marching to Adeline’s side.“Watch your tone, young lady. What is it?” Adeline warned, glaring at her.“I heard everything, Adeline! You are planning to take everything from my husband. What kind of mother are you?” Camila reprimanded her.“This is a huge mistake. No one should ever confront Adeline,” I commented, speaking from experience.Tears streamed down Nev