Final Approach to Freedom

Chapter 17

"Grab her!"

Julian Carter's sharp command cut through the air as he and Evelyn Montgomery moved in unison, pinning Sophia Whitaker to the ground from both sides. The police swiftly stepped forward, the cold metal of handcuffs clicking shut around Sophia's slender wrists.

Ethan Clarke trembled, his eyes red-rimmed. He had never imagined this day would come. How could a powerless fisherman's son ever hope to stand against the heiress of the Whitaker family from Newchester?

"Thank you... thank you..." His voice broke, too choked to form complete words.

Evelyn handed the recording device to the officers, her fingers trembling slightly. In that audio, Sophia had confessed—her own voice admitting to pushing Ethan's father into the sea.

After giving her statement, Evelyn turned to leave.

"Evelyn!" Alexander Hartley suddenly called out, his voice rough with emotion. "I'm sorry... about the stairs..."

She paused but didn't look back.

"Hmm."

That single, indifferent syllable cut through Alexander like a knife. He knew some wounds could never be healed.

"I want a lawyer!" Sophia shrieked from inside the police car. "You have no evidence! The Hartleys will never let this slide!"

Alexander strode forward, his gaze icy.

"I am the Hartleys," he said, each word deliberate. "She gets what she deserves."

Sophia's face drained of color.

When Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker arrived in a rush, their expressions darkened the moment they saw Alexander.

"Our family disowns her," Mr. Whitaker spat, dragging his wife away without a backward glance.

"Mom! Dad! Don't leave me!" Sophia slammed her hands against the car window. "Alexander... please, help me!"

Ethan stood outside the vehicle, a cold laugh escaping him. "Did you really think destroying all the evidence would save you, Sophia? Someone on that boat recorded everything."

The words shattered her. She collapsed into the seat, her eyes hollow.

"Why... why is everyone turning against me?"

Suddenly, she lunged at the window, slamming her head against it in a frenzy before the officers restrained her.

"Evelyn... this is all your fault!" Sophia's scream was swallowed by the wailing sirens.

As the police car sped away, Evelyn exhaled softly, watching it disappear into the distance.

Julian took her cold hand in his. "It's over."

She nodded, but the relief she expected never came.

Some scars remained, even after the truth had stitched the wounds shut.

In the distance, Alexander stood frozen, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white as he watched them walk away together.

He knew he had lost the right to stand by her side—forever.