Sophia snapped back to the present, shaking off the weight of her memories. She was at the hospital, ready to watch her enemy squirm in a hopeless situation.
She waited all morning and into the afternoon before Kurt finally showed up, with his brother-in-law tagging along.
"Kurt, I need $500,000 for my business. You gotta help me out. It's chump change for you. You know I've always had your back, my sister..."
Kurt cut him off, "I'll transfer the money. Go see her. There's only one visit allowed per day. It's your turn."
When Kurt spotted Sophia, his first instinct was to scan the room, then he shot her a furious glare. But he quickly reined in his temper.
Kurt glanced around again before strutting over and asked arrogantly, "Are you Ella's daughter?"
Sophia didn't bother to stand. She replied coldly, "Don't you dare say her name with that filthy mouth of yours. You don't deserve it."
Kurt sneered and asked, "What are you here for?"
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "I'm here to confirm something."
"If you're looking for an apology, I..." Kurt began, staring her down.
Sophia cut him off, "I said you don't deserve it."
Kurt swallowed his rage and just sneered.
Only then did Sophia rise from her chair. She wasn't as tall as Kurt, but she stood with a commanding presence.
"A stolen life must be repaid," she declared.
She relished the sight of Kurt's pupils dilating in shock, and a satisfied smile spread across her face.
Kurt glared at her, breathing heavily, his fists clenched. "What are you talking about? I don't get it."
Sophia ignored his question and instead asked, "Your eyes look a lot like someone else's. Do you know what else you have in common besides the eyes?"
Kurt's eye corners twitched.
Sophia held her hand up in front of him, staring at her palm, and said cryptically, "When I applied for a student loan, I had to press my fingerprint."
"What do you mean?" Kurt asked instinctively, then realization dawned on him.
"Is the family of the patient in bed 5 here?" the ICU nurse called out, "Please go pay the fees. The patient is out of danger and can be moved to a regular ward."
"Your wife didn't die and she's about to wake up. Will she tell the police something?" Sophia said, "The cops are already here. You're running out of time."
Kurt turned and saw Robert approaching with the police.
"Getting rich, having a family, and then losing it all—isn't that worse than just killing you?" Sophia asked, clearly enjoying herself.
Kurt shot Sophia a murderous look, took a deep breath, and made his way over to the nurse before the cops could get to him.
But Robert and the other officers headed straight for Sophia.
Kurt was so stunned by this that he forgot to grab the fee slip from the nurse.
Robert said, "Sophia, we need your help with a murder investigation. Here's my badge and the subpoena. Please come with us to the station."
Sophia looked taken aback.
"Officer, can I ask what evidence you have?" she inquired.
"We found a hair on Lyra's clothing at the crime scene. DNA testing matched it with yours. Please cooperate with our investigation."
Sophia turned to look at Kurt, who was watching her with a smug grin.
After Sophia was taken away, Robert approached Kurt. "Mr. Lowe, I need to ask you some questions. Do you have a moment?"
Kurt smiled and said, "Sure, let me pay the fees first."
After paying the fees, Kurt followed Robert into the police car. Robert started a formal interview with him.
Robert said, "We heard a rumor while investigating the murder case of your wife being pushed into the water."
"What rumor?" Kurt asked, curious.
"The suspect's name is Lyra. Do you know her?"
"Yeah."
"Her relatives said she had an inappropriate relationship with you," Robert asked bluntly.
Kurt lowered his head and didn't deny it. "Yeah, but we broke up and agreed not to contact each other years ago."
"Why did you break up?"
"That's a bit embarrassing. Do I have to say?" Kurt asked.
"Yes, Mr. Lowe. We need you to answer seriously."
"She secretly seduced my brother Tony and slept with him. That made me uncomfortable," Kurt said awkwardly.
"Why didn't you mention this when we first questioned you?" Robert asked.
"It's not something to brag about. Tony and I fought because of it," Kurt answered.
"When did this happen?"
"It was around the time he sold our parents' house to buy her a big house," Kurt said after thinking for a moment.
"Was the child she was carrying yours or Tony's?" Robert asked.
"I really can't be sure," Kurt said.
"Do you know why she killed Tony?" Robert asked again.
"What?" Kurt looked up sharply, "She killed Tony? How could she kill Tony?"
"There's evidence that she and Sophia conspired to kill Tony, including your wife's case," Robert said. "They had a disagreement during the crime, Lyra pushed your wife into the water, and Sophia saved her."