Claudia POV
I handed the report written by Ray to the officer. After checking it, the officers looked at each other for a mont before leaving in the car to call their supervisor.
They must have been surprised by the report. Because based on my case—on top of Clarissa’s and Miles’ convincing acting—I should have been in a ntal hospital or jail.
Ray really helped this ti, but I wasn’t sure if I should be thankful to him, because he told to return after I visited my daughter.
I didn’t know what he wanted, but whatever it was, as long as it could protect Aurora, I was willing to sign any contract, even if it cost my life.
The officers finally returned to the car, and one of them said, "You’re allowed to visit your daughter, Mrs. Hoffman, but under strict supervision by us and a close family mber."
Then the other added, "Fortunately, your sister has been guarding your daughter and hers since last night. So you can enter the ward under her supervision... you should thank her."
My heart began to beat faster when I heard that Clarissa was with them. I had the urge to scream at them for letting my daughter—and even hers—stay in the sa room as that witch incarnate.
But then, Ray’s words echoed in my mind.
You know your reaction only makes it more convincing, right? You’re acting erratically, like a madwoman desperately trying to convince others that she isn’t mad.
Yes. As much as I hated to admit it, Ray was right.
The more I tried to defend myself, the colder the officers’ reactions beca. I had already been branded a ntally ill child abuser in their eyes, so there was no point in arguing anymore.
So I lowered my head and fiddled with my fingers to suppress my anger, muttering, "Please bring to my daughter. I’m worried about her."
Only then did the officers finally relent and drive toward the hospital.
**
The hospital had never been my favorite place.
I hated the strong sll of disinfectant, mostly because my mother had been ill for almost a year before she died of late-stage cancer, and I stayed by her side until her last breath.
Aurora had also been rather sickly when she was young and had to be hospitalized a few tis. Every ti, I was the only one taking care of her. Sotis I even had to take days off from the clinics I worked at while Miles was busy with his startup business back then.
Thinking about it now, I wasn’t sure if he had truly been busy or ’busy’ with Clarissa, since Aurora and Lara were the sa age.
In fact, Lara was older than Aurora, which ant they must have cheated long ago, probably while I was working myself to exhaustion, trying to save enough money to support Miles and his business.
The realization stung as I fiddled with my nails even more restlessly. There was a sense of loss and grievance from being unjustly treated by my own husband, making feel like I might explode at any mont.
But maybe that was also part of their ga.
Maybe Miles had deliberately brought Clarissa and Lara to Aurora’s sixth birthday, knowing I would be shaken.
They had acted as if I were an outsider in my own ho while they played family. They even went as far as celebrating Aurora’s birthday without , pushing away and trying to portray Clarissa as the "second mother."
I had been filled with rage, uncertainty, and grief that night, and I had walked straight into their trap. They wanted a big reaction from , to make look delirious and insane, so I would dance according to their script.
Ray’s words were painful to hear, but they gave clarity and provided a sliver of calm in a seemingly hopeless situation.
Yes, I had been played like a puppet by Clarissa and Miles, and the best thing I could do right now was to maintain a poker face, making sure they couldn’t use my emotions against again.
**
The officers escorted to the VIP ward. When we arrived, one of them warned, "We’ll be standing outside, so don’t try anything funny, Mrs. Hoffman."
I ignored them completely. They already treated like a convicted criminal. If I paid them any attention, I might snap again.
As the door opened, a woman’s silhouette ca into view by the window.
Of course, it was none other than Clarissa.
She looked at with ridicule in her eyes, and before I could say anything, she went straight into her acting mode.
"W-what are you doing here?! D-don’t give that evil grin! You’re going to hurt my daughter again, aren’t you?!"
She rushed toward Aurora and Lara, who lay unconscious with IVs strapped, and their heart rates being monitored.
For a mont, I ignored Clarissa completely as my eyes were fixed on my daughter who had a thick bandage wrapped around her head.
The girls were in a coma, just as the interrogator had said last night when he described them as "unconscious."
I wanted to step closer, to check on Aurora, but Clarissa shoved back. With terror-filled eyes, she scread, "Back off! You child killer!"
The officers burst into the room imdiately after hearing her scream.
They saw that nothing had happened between us, yet they instantly flocked to her side.
"Miss Reed, please calm down. We’re here to protect you and your daughter in case Mrs. Hoffman tries to do anything."
"S-she grinned at just now!" Clarissa cried. "I rember that sa grin she had before she pushed my daughter and niece down the stairs last night!"
Once again, she accused , and the officers turned to look at simultaneously, their eyes sharp and questioning.
"You can apprehend later or do whatever you want," I said, never taking my eyes off Aurora. "I just want to check on my daughter."
The officers hesitated for a mont before one of them spoke.
"We... will be outside if you need anything, Miss Reed. Don’t worry about her. She won’t be free for long."
"T-thank you, officers," Clarissa said softly. "I’m sorry for my outburst just now. I—I was just so upset about what happened last night... you know, motherly instinct and all..."
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