Chapter 547 Piper's Inner Voice
Brooklyn and Sebastian strolled into the prison's reception hall. The warden, recognizing them, quickly approached them, extending a warm welcome and inviting them and Zach inside.
"Mr. Kingsley, Mrs. Kingsley, Mr. Carter, please help yourselves to some coffee. Just wait for me a moment, please."
The warden's deference towards Sebastian made Zach chuckle. "Sebastian, is there any place in Aucester where you don't have connections?"
Sebastian glanced at the cup of coffee but didn't touch it. He crossed his legs casually, maintaining an air of nobility even in the prison's visitor room. His deep eyes met Zach's. "I asked myself that years ago, but it seems the answer is no."
Zach and Brooklyn exchanged a knowing smile. Brooklyn added, "Zach, your jabs don't faze him. He's been immune to them for ages."
As the three chatted, the warden returned, having just wrapped up some official business with Ophelia.
Seeing Sebastian on the sofa, the warden adjusted his police cap and approached with a smile that was even more respectful than when meeting a superior. "Mr. Kingsley, if there's anything you need, I'll arrange it right away."
Brooklyn watched the warden's ingratiating smile, recognizing it as the kind that often accompanied ambitions for promotion and wealth.
She had seen such faces many times in Sebastian's social circles.
Sebastian smiled coolly and distantly. "No need for such formality. I'm just here to visit an old friend. It's no trouble."
"Which old friend is Mr. Kingsley here to see?"
Hearing that it was a friend of Sebastian's, the warden immediately became even more attentive. Even in prison, anyone Sebastian called a friend was certainly no small figure.
Sebastian's thin lips curled into a slight sneer. He didn't like such sycophantic behavior.
"Mr. Kingsley, the person you want to see has been brought to the visitation room. You can go in now."
A guard respectfully reported, bowing slightly and glancing at the warden's expression, a fine layer of sweat forming on his forehead.
"Thank you."
Sebastian thanked him, taking Brooklyn's hand as they walked to the visitation room.
The guard quickly reported to the warden, "Mr. Kingsley wants to see Piper Rivera."
The warden nodded, "Keep a close eye on their meeting. Mr. Kingsley's attitude towards Piper Rivera is crucial. It affects whether she remains a prisoner or returns to her status as the esteemed Miss Rivera."
"Yes, sir!"
The warden stroked his chin, thinking that any prisoner Sebastian personally visited probably wouldn't stay long.
The three entered the visitation room. Across a large table sat Piper, dressed in prison garb. Her once long, flowing hair was now cut short, and her previously well-made-up face was now pale.
Piper sat silently, her eyes devoid of light, her entire demeanor filled with a sense of despair and hopelessness.
Brooklyn's hand tightened instinctively. She looked at Piper, her mind racing back to the time when Yingzi was the high-heeled, revered cardiology director. The contrast was so stark that Brooklyn didn't know how to make sense of it.
Zach sighed softly, "Dr. Rivera, we're here to see you."
Zach was the first to speak among the three. His gentle voice provided a unique comfort in the dim room, warming the heart.
Brooklyn knew how much Piper cared for Zach. His visit would surely bring her some comfort.
Piper's lifeless eyes looked at Zach, filled with an indescribable sadness and regret. She stared at him, as if trying to see her reflection in his eyes.
After a moment, her lips trembled, her pale lips parting weakly, "I didn't expect you to come see me."
Her voice was low and hoarse, perhaps from crying or lack of proper nutrition, making it uncomfortable to hear.
Zach nodded, "Yes, we're here to see you. How are you holding up?"
Piper gave a bitter smile, looking at her clothes and then at Brooklyn's clean designer outfit, "Considering what I've done, I know what you mean."
"I didn't mean to mock you. Please don't misunderstand. We genuinely wanted to see you." Zach's heart softened, almost ready to forgive her upon hearing her voice.
Brooklyn pressed her lips together. "Piper, honestly, I should be happy to see you like this, but I'm not. It hurts to see you like this. You could have had a good life."
Piper smiled wearily, "I know what you're going to say. But let me speak first."
The three fell silent.
Piper took a deep breath, her gaze filled with deep affection as she looked at Zach, her tone tinged with helpless regret. "Zach, sometimes I wonder if I could choose not to love you. But even knowing the outcome, I would still love you. I've loved you for nearly ten years. My life has revolved around you. I thought you were mine, that we would be together."
"But I never imagined you would fall in love with Brooklyn. You knew her for only a few days, and I lost completely."
Tears welled up in Piper's eyes. She raised her hand, the shackles clinking softly.
"I wanted you so badly that I hated Brooklyn. I thought if she died, I could be with you. But I was wrong. Even if she became a ghost, I still couldn't enter your heart."
"I will always love you. Otherwise, I don't know what my life means. But now, I don't expect my love to be returned."
She smiled, her voice filled with the despair of giving up, "I'm not worthy. Maybe I never was."
After speaking, it was as if she had confessed everything from her past. She buried her face in her hands, tears flowing freely for the first time.
Zach's nose tingled with emotion, his voice gentle, "Piper, I'm sorry. If I had known I would cause you so much pain, I wouldn't have hurt you. I would have stayed out of your sight."
After a long while, she looked up at Zach, "It's not your fault. It's my obsession."
"Can I ask you one last favor?"
Gone was her former pride and arrogance. Now, Piper was as humble as a speck of dust, looking up to everyone. Brooklyn felt even more sorrowful.
Zach nodded, "Sure, tell me. If I can do it, I will."
Piper wiped her tears, forcing a smile, "I've always hoped you could hug me, even just once. So, could you please hug me? Just once?"
Brooklyn looked at Zach, waiting for his response.
Ophelia stood outside the door, having heard Piper's confession to Zach, her steps frozen.
Zach stood up, "Okay."
He walked around the table. Sebastian signaled the guard to help Piper stand. They looked at each other in silence. Piper bit her lip, looking like a woman waiting for her beloved, her whole being filled with joy at seeing him.
She truly loved him, despite the many mistakes she made. In loving Zach, she was not wrong.
Brooklyn sighed softly. Love was indeed complicated.
Zach gently embraced Piper, holding her lightly, offering warmth and protection.
Piper buried her face in his chest, not moving for a long time, tears silently streaming down her face.
This embrace was something she had longed for, something she had waited for. If she had received it earlier, perhaps many things would have been different.
Looking back, everything seemed to fade like clouds, filled with too much regret.
After a long while, they let go.
Piper wiped her tears, not sitting down, but looking at Brooklyn and Sebastian, "I don't want to say sorry. Those words are meaningless. But, Sebastian, I want to thank you. James told me you helped the Rivera family."
"And, James is the only heir to the Rivera family now. He's chosen to follow you. I hope you treat him well. He knows nothing and has never harmed Brooklyn."
Sebastian nodded, "I will."
"Piper, take care of yourself. James only has you left. Whether you're in prison or outside, you're still his closest sister."
"Thank you, Brooklyn. Although I still can't like you. I envy you, madly envy you. But now, it seems you've won. You've won everyone's love."
Brooklyn smiled wryly, "You could have too, but you chose a different path."
Piper shook her head, "No, we're different, always will be. Thank you for coming to see me, whether to laugh at me or genuinely care. You've seen my situation. Go back, don't come again."
Ophelia entered, her tone professional, "Piper, please cooperate with my work. I have some questions for you."
With that, Ophelia handled her business inside while the three left the prison.
Outside, Brooklyn hugged Sebastian's waist, burying her face in his chest, sobbing softly, "Sebastian, I feel so sad."
Zach walked ahead, giving them space.
Sebastian patted her back, his deep voice soothing, "I know. If you don't want her to stay in prison, I can help. But, my dear, actions have consequences. That's a must, understand?"
Brooklyn nodded, "Just let me hold you for a while. Seeing her like that, I feel so bad."
"Alright. You're so soft-hearted. I don't know why your colleagues call you the Ice Queen. To me, you're just a little fool."
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