Chapter 141
The police came to the hospital to take my statement.
I gave the police a detailed account of the whole incident, how Amelia used Liliana's safety to trick me into going out, how she lured me onto the ice, and how she smashed the ice with rocks, causing me to fall into the water.
Liliana, Andrew, and Ethan all testified on my behalf, confirming that Amelia had a grudge against me and had a motive.
Lester, who saved me, also confirmed that when he arrived, he saw Amelia standing near the ice hole with his own eyes. She wasn't trying to help and even tried to stop me from getting back to shore.
The chain of evidence was clear. Amelia was suspected of attempted murder, and the police decided to take enforcement action against her.
But there was a tricky part; she claimed that due to emotional distress, she had a threatened miscarriage with vaginal bleeding and needed treatment to save the pregnancy.
When the police arrived, she was lying in a hospital bed, pale-faced, hooked up to an IV drip, looking completely weak and helpless.
"I didn't... I really didn't hurt Sophia," she said, tears streaming down her face as she sobbed to the police and Royce Castillo, the lawyer I'd hired. "I was just trying to help. I saw that Liliana seemed to have been taken away. I was scared, so I called Sophia."
"I told her to call the police, and we'd go look together. How was I supposed to know she'd run to such a dangerous place by herself?"
"The ice was so slippery - she fell in by accident. How can you blame me? I was terrified. I wanted to save her, but I'm pregnant, and my health isn't good. I couldn't get close."
"I did call for help, but I couldn't shout very loudly, so no one heard me."
Royce came back and told me what happened.
After hearing it, I couldn't help but laugh.
Amelia's ability to twist the truth was as strong as ever.
"Ms. Brown, the police say they need to investigate further. And because Ms. Martinez is currently pregnant with special health conditions, she qualifies for bail pending trial and can't be detained for now."
Liliana was so angry she cursed in the hospital room: "She's faking it, she's definitely faking it! What threatened miscarriage - she definitely made it up herself to avoid punishment!"
I leaned back on the hospital bed, still feeling some dull discomfort in my abdomen.
James came to my room again, his face showing fatigue and a hint of barely noticeable irritation.
"Sophia, the police procedures take time. Given Amelia's current condition, she can only be released on bail for now." He looked at me, trying to explain.
"I know," I interrupted him, my voice calm and flat. "Legal procedures - I understand."
James seemed surprised that I was so calm. He paused, "Sophia, you..."
"Anything else? If not, you should go back. She's so uncomfortable right now, you should be taking care of her."
I closed my eyes and basically kicked him out.
Thinking about how my child and I almost died in that ice hole, I felt hatred - hatred for how James kept indulging Amelia again and again, turning my life completely upside down.
"James, what are you still standing here for? Why don't you leave already? Can't you see Sophia doesn't want to see you?" Liliana's tone was unfriendly. "You're supposed to be so smart, but I don't know what spell Amelia's cast on you to turn you into such an idiot."
She didn't even bother pretending anymore and started cursing right in front of James.
James frowned: "Liliana, no one's calling you mute if you don't talk."
"I'm going to talk. If I don't, how will you know how stupid you are?"
"Liliana!"
"James, my hearing's fine. You don't need to keep shouting my name over and over."
James couldn't do anything about Liliana. He gritted his teeth: "Liliana, you're really out of line."
Liliana shot back: "Didn't I learn that from you?"
James was grinding his teeth.
"Alright, stop fighting. Sophia needs rest. If you really want to settle this, go fight outside."
Andrew couldn't take it anymore and stepped in to stop them from arguing.
Liliana crossed her arms, glared hard at James, and stopped talking.
James took a deep breath and left the room.
James's POV:
I'm absolutely furious with Liliana.
She's my sister, but not only does she not speak up for me in front of Sophia, she always says things that put me down.
I irritably tugged at my tie and went back to Amelia's room.
When Amelia saw me come in, big tears started rolling down her face: "James, you're finally back. Where did you go? I was so scared being here alone."
I was silent for a few seconds before saying in a low voice: "Where were you when Sophia had her accident?"
"I was outside looking at the scenery." Amelia wiped her tears as she answered. "Do you suspect me, too?"
"Amelia, I'm giving you one more chance. Please tell me the truth - where were you and what were you doing when she had her accident?"
"I don't know." Amelia shook her head, crying.
"You weren't in your room when she had her accident. The surveillance shows you went out together, and I also checked your call records - you called her before you both went out."
"Even if you don't tell me, I can find out. Do you think the police can't?"
Amelia suddenly burst out laughing. Her laughter was sharp and piercing.
"Yes, I did it. So what?" The laughter was crazy and harsh. "James, I just hate her, I'm jealous of her! Why does she get to live so well even after the divorce? Why does everyone like her?"
"Even you... Even after the divorce, you can't forget her. What is she? Just an unwanted orphan - does she deserve to compete with me?"
"She deserves to die. Her being alive is an eyesore to me. I just want to make her disappear!"
"You're crazy. This is attempted murder." I could hardly believe it.
I couldn't believe Amelia would try to kill Sophia just out of jealousy.
"Yes, I'm crazy. I've been crazy ever since your eyes only had room for that bitch Sophia." Amelia screamed hysterically. "James, if I can't have it, she shouldn't either. If I'm not happy, none of you should be happy."
"I'm going to turn you over to the police. You need to pay for what you've done." James's voice turned cold.
"Pay?" Amelia's laughter became even more insane. "James, do you dare? If you turn me over to the police, I'll kill myself right in front of you - two lives lost!"
"You know what? If I die, tomorrow the whole city will know about the Smith family's dirty secrets. You and your brother's wife are having an affair, plus the Smith family's confidential information - what do you think will happen to the Smith family if all this gets out?"
The hospital room fell into a deathly silence.
I narrowed my eyes slightly: "You dare threaten me?"
"I am threatening you, James. I saved your life, and now you want to repay me by sending me to prison for that bitch Sophia? Dream on." Amelia's voice was full of desperate madness. "Either you keep me out of prison, or we all die together!"
"If I die, I'm taking the Smith family down with me, especially Sophia. Even as a ghost, I won't let her go."