Chapter 31 - Kaléo Coleman

***Truths.***

As soon as the doors open, we step inside, and the sound of Ayumi's laughter freezes me in my tracks. I'm determined to put an end to the moment when I truly hear her smile. But what kind of friend would I be if I let her continue to be deceived? This isn't right; I can't let this happen. Before I know it, I find myself alone in the hallway, walking. I spot Evelyn sitting next to the woman, while Ayumi's smile fades when she catches sight of me.

I approach them and place the envelope on the counter next to me.

“You arrived early; we're just grabbing a bite before heading to the apartment.”

“You're not going anywhere!” I say through gritted teeth, and she looks at me with a stern expression. Just as she's about to say something, Evelyn captures her attention.

“Yumi, I still haven't met your mother.”

“True, I haven't had a chance to introduce them. Forgive me, Evy, everything has been a mess,” she says, glancing at me. “This is my mother, Ruth. Mom, this is Evy, my savior, friend, and sister,” she says with a smile, and Evelyn stands up and extends her hand to the woman.

“Pleased to meet you,” Evelyn smiles, her hand trembling.

Unexpectedly, Evelyn slaps Ruth's face, causing her to almost lose her balance. Ruth instinctively places her hand on her face.

“Evy, why did you do that?” Ayumi says, rushing to the woman's side.

“I'm sorry, I have a new condition that I can't control,” she says, holding her trembling hand with the other. “Every time I encounter a despicable and deceitful woman like her, this condition manifests,” Evelyn says nervously.

“Why are you doing this?” Ayumi asks, while Ruth cries, her hand still pressed against her face.

“She's been deceiving you all this time; this woman is not your mother!” Evelyn blurts out.

“The test came back positive; are you both involved in this conspiracy?” she says, pointing at the two of us. “I understand everything now, it was you, Kaléo. You're the one turning my friends against my mother,”

Ayumi says, approaching me.

“Daughter, let's leave this behind; let's go,” the elderly woman pleads, holding Ayumi's arm.

“Stop playing around and stop calling her daughter, you repulsive old woman,” Evelyn says, moving toward her again, but this time I grab her arm.

“Evy, we have evidence to support what we're saying; stay calm,” I say, looking at Ayumi, who is in tears.”

“Do you really have evidence? Or did you forge them?”

“What's the matter, Yumi? Are you so blind that you believe someone who's only been in your life for a few months over your friend who has known you for years? If it weren't for him, you would have died at the gate of that orphanage,” Evelyn speaks, and Ayumi lowers her head. “I saw the evidence and even the DNA test that Kaléo requested.”

“You're all crazy! I provided proof that Ayumi is my daughter, I told you everything, and you know how much I've suffered,” I close my eyes and sigh, trying not to lose it just by hearing this woman's voice.

“Shut your mouth, you old hag. Tayson, stay by her side before she decides to run away,” Evelyn says, grabbing her cellphone. “I'll be right back, and Léo, show this ungrateful sister of mine the evidence you have,” she heads towards the balcony. I grab the envelope and hand it to Ayumi, who looks at me and then opens it.

The first paper she picks up is the written statement from the boys, stating that she paid them to beat her and that she set her house on fire. Ayumi loses her balance, and I rush to her aid, helping her sit on the couch.

“It can't be, it just can't!” she says and moves on to the other papers.

There is evidence that she forged the birth certificate, the hospital records, and the DNA test. Ayumi takes the test paper that says she is not Ruth's daughter, and tears keep rolling down her face. I see Ruth running away, Tayson couldn't catch her in time, but as we follow her, I hear the sound of the double doors opening, and Mayke walks through them, already holding the handcuffs.

**Memories…**

— Mayke, everything I'm telling you has to stay between us! I know you've gotten close to Yumi and have been helping her — my intention is to send you to China, far away from her. — But for now, we can't reveal anything! Neither she nor Ruth can suspect.

— I investigated the authenticity of the documents and found out they were fake. I was just about to tell her about it.

— But we need to wait for the right time. I'm still gathering some evidence, and as soon as I have everything, you'll know everything. Tayson will send you a copy of everything we discover regarding this woman.

— Okay, but I'll try my best until the last moment to prevent her from going to that apartment with Maria. We can't leave Ayumi with her without our protection.

— I know better than anyone that I have to protect her, even though I'm failing at it, but I'll do my best.

**End of memories.**

“Maria Acosta, you are arrested for identity theft, robbery, document forgery, ideological falsification, and murder,” he handcuffs her and brings her over to us.

“Murder?” Evelyn, Yumi, and I asked.

Evy still has her cellphone to her ear; I believe she's talking to Paul.

“Yes, she is wanted in Argentina for the death of her husband, Alfred Acosta.”

“She said her husband had died, that he had helped her find me…” Ayumi says, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Now that we've uncovered everything, tell us why you were going to the orphanage?” Evelyn asks. “Why did you have photos of Ayumi as a child? Did you know her mother?” As she says that, Yumi turns her head quickly, her eyes widening.

“I did, indeed, witness Ayumi's upbringing. I saw her grow up in that orphanage, and her mother sent money every month for me to take care of her. In fact, I became responsible for her when her mother left. But that life wasn't for me; I only wanted the money, so I left Ayumi in that place. I had a joyful and happy life for a while. I returned to Argentina, got married, and when the money stopped coming, things started falling apart. Alfred was accustomed to luxury, and when he realized it was over, he threatened to leave me and report everything to the police because I had abandoned a child at an orphanage on a winter day,” she says, looking firmly at Ayumi. “So I got rid of another burden, faked my death, and returned to San Diego. When I discovered who you were, that you were alive and living with one of the wealthiest men in the United States, I planned everything and saw it as a unique opportunity.” Ayumi stands up abruptly and lunges at her, slapping her. I try to hold Yumi back as she screams and struggles, desperately trying to reach Maria.

“Calm down, Yumi, calm down!”

“I'm going to kill this woman, how could she deceive me like this? You have no heart, wasn't abandoning me enough?” she shouts and cries.

“I'll take her now; I've presented the evidence to the prosecution,” Mayke says, and a police officer enters, takes Maria, and leaves with her, but she stops, turning her back.

“Your mother is no longer alive; the last I heard, she was sick and on her deathbed, so there's no need to search for her,” she says, walking away. The officer presses the button, and the doors open; he enters with her, and they close.

Mayke approaches Ayumi and embraces her. I take a deep breath to refrain from punching him.

“Come on, I'll take you to rest,” he supports her as they climb the stairs and disappear down the hallway.

“Stay cool there, hot-headed guy. You might lose your fingers soon,” Evy says, returning to the balcony, still on the phone.

“Sir, do you need anything else?” I glance to the side and see Tayson standing there.

“No, you can go and rest. Thank you, once again.”

“I'm just doing my job.”

“You know it's always more than that!” I say, patting his shoulder and heading towards the stairs. I go to Ayumi's room but stop before knocking on the door.

“Did you know everything?”

“Yes, but I needed evidence, and Kaléo asked me not to tell you. Try to understand, Yumi.”

“Okay… Please leave me alone.”

“Is this serious? Okay.” I step back from the door, pretending that I just arrived and was about to knock, and then it opens.

“Is she okay?” I ask, trying to control myself. I have the urge to go inside and be there with her.

“She wants to be alone. She has a lot to process. I'll go back to the department, and if you need anything, give me a call.”

“Okay,” yeah right, as if I even know why I want to be here.

He looks at Ayumi one more time, and I can see her lying there, hugging herself, facing away from us. I know she's crying; I can hear it, even though she's trying to muffle it. Mayke closes the door, pats my shoulder twice, and leaves. I crouch down, sitting on the floor, leaning against the door.

“Forgive me, my smile. I didn't want your life to be like this. I wanted you to smile more… I'm truly sorry for all of this, and I'll always be here by your side,” I finish saying, and the door is opened, almost knocking me over. I stand up, and she throws herself into my arms, crying. I stroke her hair and lift her up, placing her on the bed, and lie down beside her. “I'll take care of you and always keep my promise.