Chapter Thirteen

Natalie POV

I was in my cozy California apartment, listening to my child laughing in the distance, while I looked out the window at the sunlit Pacific Ocean. I had ultimately discovered tranquility, finally getting away from the disorder of New York and the poisonous hold of Tristan Orion.

However, my peace was disrupted when my phone suddenly started ringing.

Natalie , please return to New York. Tristan spoke urgently, his words pouring out quickly with a touch of desperation in his voice.

My heart beat rapidly, my mind automatically pulling away from just the sound of his voice. I'm sorry, Tristan. I have finished. I am liberated at last.

Natalie, pay attention to what I'm saying. I require your presence. I am unable to accomplish this task without your help. His words carried a slight touch of anxiety, a familiar tone that I recognized.

I braced myself, my determination unwavering. I will not return, Tristan. I refuse to address another issue involving Orion. I am worthy of something better. My child should have something better.

Natalie, can you please do it. Give me a chance to explain. I am willing to do whatever it takes for you to return to me. His voice broke, showing his vulnerability clearly.

However, I remained unaffected. I was aware of the games he engaged in and the deceitful stories he told. I was aware of the devastation he caused before he moved on.

"Farewell, Tristan." I ended the call, my hand trembled, my heart raced.

My child's laughter, the waves' sound, the sun's warmth faded as I stared at the phone, anticipating Tristan's manipulative call.

I was prepared. I had enough of being a pawn in his game. I was liberated at last, and I would make sure to maintain that freedom by any means necessary.

I suddenly heard sirens at the entrance of my apartment and this led me to go check the window. My heart dropped when I noticed security agents in their mass coming towards the house.

I remained motionless, my heart pounding, as the security agent entered my apartment. His gaze swept across the room as his hand lay on his gun. "Natalie, you have been placed in custody."

My head spun, a battle between confusion and fear raging inside. What is happening? "What is this regarding?"

The agent had a serious look on his face. "You are being brought in for interrogation about a document that was leaked."

I nodded my head, expressing my astonishment on my face. I am unsure of what you are talking about."

Moving closer, he spoke with a strong voice. "The paper accuses you of being involved in a money laundering operation with a non-governmental organization."

I stared in shock, feeling terror starting to rise. "Sorry, that cannot be done." I haven't done anything incorrect.

The agent's look was relentless. We possess proof, Natalie. You may prefer to arrive without causing a commotion."

I stepped back, feeling my heart thumping inside me. This is an error. I insist on viewing the document.

He grimaced with a smile. "You'll have ample time to examine it...while waiting at the station."

Everything I knew was falling apart right in front of my eyes. I felt as if I were trapped in a horrifying dream. I didn't want to accept it. I was in disbelief.

However, when the agent put handcuffs on me and escorted me, I realized my life was about to change forever. The fate was sealed by the leaked document. And I was clueless about how to avoid the repercussions.

After hours of driving through the express road, we would arrive at the security agency, where I was led to the interrogation room.

I was seated in the chilly, clinical interrogation room with my hands bound to the table. The agent pushed a bulky folder towards the table, its contents overflowing like incriminating evidence.

"Natalie, do you recognize this?" he inquired, his voice lacking any emotion.

I looked at the documents, my eyes quickly moving across the pages, my thoughts swirling. It was a detailed record of a transaction, showing significant amounts of money being deposited into an account under my name. However, it was not possible. This account was unfamiliar to me. I had never come into contact with this money before.

After that, the agent showed the video recording. Blurry pictures of myself, entering a structure, interacting with mysterious individuals, exchanging suitcases filled with money. My heart pounded, my mind shouted in objection. This was not done by me. This was arranged.

"I did not do this!" I screamed, my voice bouncing against the walls. "I am being set up by someone!"

The agent arched an eyebrow. "Is that so?" Due to the fact that the evidence indicates the contrary.

I struggled against the handcuffs, feeling desperate as fear ran through me. "Listen to what I have to say! Although I'm not sure who is to blame, I can promise you that I did not do this." But the agent just leaned back in his chair, a smug smile lighting up his face. Natalie, hold it for the judge.

This will be paid for by you. I had the impression that the room's walls were suffocating me. I had no way out of this terrifying nightmare. And nobody gave it any thought. Nobody would believe a word I said.

I was by myself, deserted, and blamed. The world had become my enemy, and I was clueless about how to retaliate.

I was escorted out of the interrogation room, filled with despair in my heart. The words of the agent lingered in my thoughts: "You will be held responsible for this."

I was forced into a chilly, dim cell, with the door closing loudly after me. I fell onto the cot, overwhelmed by thoughts of betrayal and dishonesty.

Right when I believed I was by myself, I caught the sound of footsteps coming from outside my prison cell. A security guard showed up, with a grin spreading on his face.

Hmm, hmm, hmm. "He sneered as he observed what was present."

I gave him a sharp look, my rage bubbling beneath the surface. "What is it that you desire?"

He laughed quietly. "Just here to accompany you, Natalie. "You'll be staying here for quite a while."

I looked in the opposite direction, yet he stayed. Instead of that, he took out his phone and picked up a call.

"Hello?" he chuckled, his voice filled with amusement.

After that, I heard a voice that sent shivers down my spine.

"Hello, officer. How is our small captive faring?

I was horrified as I recognized the person. Song. My supposed friend. The person who had deceived me.

The officer smiled at me, his eyes shining with evil intent. "Oh, Aria, she's doing well." Perfectly okay.