Chapter 61

Dante's POV
I approached them, warm hugs and laughter seemed to erase all the sadness I had felt so far. “I miss you all,” I said, trying to hold back the tears that wanted to overflow. Especially Roline, who had been struggling with stunting for a whole week.
However, that happiness suddenly stopped when a knock on the door was heard. Before I had time to think long, two police officers entered the house. Confusion began to creep into me.
“What is going on?” I asked, increasingly not understanding the situation.
Without introducing myself further, one of the police officers immediately said, “Dante, we arrested you on suspicion of providing money for a drug dealer named Lia.”
I was shocked! “What? That’s impossible! Lia—I don’t know anything about that!” We just met, and I… I wasn’t involved in anything!” I replied, feeling panicked.
The police didn’t budge, still holding their firm stance. “This isn’t the time to argue. We have evidence that you transferred money to Lia. We’ll take you in for further questioning.”
Hearing this arrest, my heart started pounding even harder. What was all this? Why was I the one being accused, while I was trying to protect Roline and my family? I saw Aurora’s shocked and frightened face. Roline and her two older siblings didn’t fully understand either, but worry was evident in their eyes.
“I wasn’t involved in any illegal activities! Everything I did was for my family!” I shouted, trying to convince the police, but all my efforts seemed in vain.
One of the policemen stepped closer, speaking again, “We were just doing our job. If you really weren’t involved, then this will all be clear.”
As they started to take me out of the house, my heart felt like it was breaking. Anxiety gripped my feelings—I couldn’t let them see me in a bad situation. I wanted to protect my family, especially Roline.
“Aurora!” I called, noticing the worried expression on her face. “Everything will be fine. I’ll explain everything after this.”
But as I was pulled out, I felt disconnected from everything. Facing a situation I didn’t want not only confused me but also threatened my children’s future. In all this chaos, my hope of reuniting with them felt even further away. All I could do now was pray that the truth would be revealed and I could return to the family I loved.
As I was pulled out of the house, I heard the cries of Aurora and my three children, especially Roline, who innocently did not understand what was happening. My heart broke seeing them in such a sad and confused state. Every step away from them seemed to add to the burden on my chest. I wanted to turn around, wanted to protect them, but this situation was bigger than me.
After being taken to the police station, I felt even more pressured. The police put me in an interrogation room and started asking questions nonstop. “Where is Lia? What is your relationship with Molly? Why did you give her some money?” they asked in a serious tone.
I explained with all my thoughts and feelings. "I just married Molly because I wanted to get my daughter, Roline, back. She even kidnapped my daughter for a year and said she wanted money as compensation for taking care of our daughter. But my daughter is actually thin and now the doctor has declared her stunted."
However, despite trying to be as clear as possible, the police remained skeptical. They seemed to have gotten a different picture of the situation. "We have information that Lia is involved in a drug ring, and if you give her money, it can be considered a tax to the dealer."
My heart started beating fast as I realized the implications of all this. That meant Molly was really trapped in the dark world and had changed her identity to avoid the authorities. "I didn't know about any of that!" I shouted, trying to express the truth that I was experiencing. "I was not involved in that illegal business! I didn't even know that Lia or Molly were drug dealers."
But they couldn't just let me go, and the police told me that procedures had to be followed. "We have to detain you until all this is clear," they said, and I felt despair enveloping my heart.
The hope of returning to my family soon seemed increasingly distant. A sinking feeling began to grip my soul. What will happen next? What will happen to Roline, Roland, and Ronald if I get caught up in this situation?
Inside the interrogation room, while the police continue with their inquiries, I tried to keep my thoughts straight. All I wanted was to return to the family I love. I prayed that these dark times would soon pass, that the truth would come out, and that I could prove to the authorities that my intention was never to hurt or be involved in a crime.
Courage tried to fill my mind, even though I knew that the road ahead would be long and difficult. All I could do now was wait, hoping that things would get better, especially for the sake of my little family.
That evening, when Aurora came to visit me, her face looked gloomy and tired. It was as if the time that had passed since my arrest had eroded her happiness and strength. Pain touched my heart when I saw her in such a sad state, and I wanted so badly to reach out to comfort her.
“Aurora,” I said softly, trying to find the right voice amidst the tension. “I don’t know anything about all this. I’m just a victim. I just found out that Molly changed her name when I was about to leave the apartment.”
Tears began to stream down her cheeks. I could feel her emotions, a mixture of worry and disappointment. “Dante, I feel so confused. This feels so far from what I expected. I want to believe you, but the situation is so confusing.”