A Mother’s Last Breath
Soren – POV
My eyes flew open. I was drenched—water dripping from my face and hair, heart pounding. I sat slumped in a chair, dazed, staring around the condo.
“Asshole,” I growled.
Killian shrugged casually. “Had to bring you here to keep you safe. Raisel’s orders,” he said. “She told me if you refused, I should knock you out.”
My eyes narrowed at him.
“I figured you wouldn’t believe me,” he added, then hit play on a recording on his phone. Raisel’s voice spilled out—urgent, desperate. She’d said everything just like Killian claimed.
“I can’t just sit here doing nothing for her. She’s in trouble,” I said, rising quickly. I pulled out my phone and called Jace.
“What’s the status on Raisel?” I asked.
“She’s in custody,” he said grimly. “They’re interrogating her about the video and what happened.” There was a pause.
“What?” I demanded.
“Susan… passed away,” he whispered. “She went into shock when the officers arrested Raisel.”
I cursed under my breath.
“I’m coming to New York. I’ll take the blame. I’ll make sure Raisel walks free,” I said. “Call my lawyer too.”
“Are you out of your mind?” Jace snapped. “If they pin this on you, it’s not just prison—you could get the death penalty.”
“I don’t care,” I said, voice hard. “If I have to give my life for hers, so be it. Just do me one favor—find out who leaked that video and posted it online.”
I ended the call.
“You’re not even listening to what Raisel wants,” Killian said. “You don’t get it—she doesn’t want to leave her mother behind. I can help you.”
“How?” I asked. “What’s in it for you?”
Killian’s expression didn’t change. “You don’t trust me. It’s written all over your face.”
“Then get to the point,” I snapped.
“I didn’t leak the video,” he said quietly. “But I can help. I can make the cops back off you and Raisel.”
I let out a sigh, frustration boiling beneath the surface.
“Soren, I can stage your death. Once you’re ‘gone,’ they’ll close the case. And if you look closely at the footage, only Raisel’s back is visible. I’ll send in a lawyer, get a fake eyewitness to testify she’s not the woman in the video. We can spin this.”
It was insane. But somehow, it sounded like the most logical plan yet.
“What do you want in return?” I asked.
“Terrain Motors,” he said. “Sell it to me. Raisel stays on board. All her designs, her credit—they stay hers.”
I hesitated. Giving up Terrain Motors was a big deal. But I’d have enough money to start fresh. More than that, I’d keep Raisel safe.
After everything she’s lost—her mother, her freedom—I couldn't let her lose me too.
“Deal,” I said.
Killian nodded. “Smart choice.”
Raisel – POV
My head was spinning with questions, but I stayed silent. My lips were sealed, even as tears welled in my eyes. I kept replaying the moment—Susan collapsing, dying right in front of me—and they wouldn’t even let me grieve. They dragged me away, straight to the police station.
Soren’s voice echoed in my mind: Don’t say anything until you have a lawyer. So I didn’t. I kept quiet. I hoped the call I made to
Killian, asking him to protect Soren in the UK, would pay off. It felt wrong—covering up something, even if it was self-defense—but I knew we were crossing lines.
Hours passed. Or maybe more. I couldn’t tell. Time didn’t feel real anymore. Then finally, the door creaked open.
“You’re free to go,” the officer said.
A man stood beside him.
“I’m Ruther,” he introduced himself. “Mr. Killian sent me. I made sure they didn’t hold you any longer.”
I didn’t ask how or why it happened so fast. I didn’t care. All I wanted was to see Susan.
My friends were waiting outside. Gwen wasn’t there—just Hazel and Firoa, who took me home. Roacher and her team were already grieving.
“Raisel,” Roacher whispered, pulling me into a hug. Her eyes were red and full of tears. “Susan was so excited to be a grandmother.
She kept saying she’d fight through her health issues just to meet your baby.”
Her words shattered something inside me. I broke down and cried with her—because there was nothing else left to do.