Chapter 7

After saying that, I was about to walk out.

Liam couldn't help but call out to me again.

"Autumn."

I looked back, puzzled.

"What is it?"

Liam hesitated for a moment, then gathered his courage.

"If it's possible, would you consider me?"

I was startled, and before I could answer.

Liam forced a light smile.

"It's fine, I just asked. It's okay if you don't want to."

As soon as he finished speaking, a familiar voice came from not far away.

"Julian, look, Autumn has quite a few admirers."

I looked over and saw Julian and the others from The Platinum Suite also at the entrance.

Carter Stone sneered and said to Julian.

"That man is Liam Foster, the head manager of the club. Managers at places like this are quite promiscuous. If the girl agrees, she'll have a hard time."

Julian followed their gaze and saw my face flushed, standing beside Liam.

A strange anger welled up in his eyes.

"Let's go. It has nothing to do with us."

Julian's car arrived. He didn't spare me another glance, got in, and drove away.

I stood not far away, my heart feeling like it had been hollowed out.

Nothing to do with him…

Just then, my phone suddenly rang.

I answered. Mrs. Hayes's weak voice came through.

"Autumn, Mom has something to tell you."

"Okay."

I rushed to the hospital. As soon as I entered the ward and saw Mrs. Hayes, I quickly asked.

"Mom, what happened?"

Mrs. Hayes saw me, a look of difficulty on her face as she spoke.

"Mom needs you to kneel and swear that you will always take good care of your sister from now on."

"No matter what she does, you must forgive her, or you will die a horrible death!"

I heard this and froze.

I knew Mom had always favored my sister, but I never imagined she would ask me to swear such a deadly oath for her sake.

"Mom, am I your real daughter?"

I couldn't help but ask.

Seeing my reaction, Mrs. Hayes raised her hand and slapped me across the face.

"You were born from my womb after ten months. If you're not my daughter, whose daughter are you?"

"Swear it now, or we'll cut ties as mother and daughter!"

Cut ties as mother and daughter!

Hearing those words, my heart utterly died.

"Okay, I swear! But once I take this oath, you will truly no longer be my mother."

Mrs. Hayes's eyes were dull. She didn't speak, just stared at me blankly.

And I, numb, knelt on the floor, raising my index and middle fingers, enunciating each word.

"I swear that I will take good care of my sister, Violet Hayes, and forgive her no matter what she does, or may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"

The moment my words fell, the tension in Mrs. Hayes's heart finally eased.

After a long while, Mrs. Hayes said again.

"You can go now. I need to rest."

I slowly got up, turned, and left.

I never imagined that this departure would be a permanent farewell.

That evening, as I was working.

Suddenly, a group of uniformed police officers walked up to me, showing their badges.

"Autumn Hayes, we've received a report. You're suspected of murdering your biological mother. Please come with us for questioning!"

My mind reeled, my eyes wide with disbelief.

"What are you saying?"

"Your mother was found deceased at 7 AM this morning. You were the last person seen with her before she died."

"Your sister reported it. You can say whatever you need to at the station."

After being taken back to the New York City Police Department, my mind was a blur.

It wasn't until the interrogation.

I learned that after I left, someone had pulled out Mom's breathing tube and administered illegal drugs to her.

My mind suddenly flashed back to Mom's last words: No matter what Violet Hayes does, you must forgive her!

I understood everything now. It had to be Violet…

I quickly told the police.

"Can you investigate my sister, Violet Hayes? This morning, I was called to the hospital by my sister."

"Also, can you help me find a lawyer? I want to see Mr. Julian Vance!"

10.

The police, seeing that I didn't seem to be lying, told me in a professional manner.

"We will investigate all the leads you've provided."

That afternoon.

The detention room door opened. "The person you wanted to see is here."

I was led to the visiting room.

As soon as I entered, I saw Julian Vance in a dark suit, sitting behind the table.

I quickly explained.

"Julian, I didn't hurt Mom. You have to believe me."

Julian looked at me, his eyes filled with disappointment.

"The evidence is stacked against you now. How do you expect me to believe you?"

I was stunned.

"What evidence?"

Julian placed his phone in front of me and played a video.

It was a video of me in Mom's hospital room.

The video showed my mother and me arguing about something.

I explained.

"My mom made me promise to forgive my sister no matter what she did."

"At this point, are you going to blame everything on your sister?"

Julian asked.

I was stunned.

I refused to give up, explaining again.

"Julian, I'm really being framed! When I went to the hospital, Mom was perfectly fine…"

Julian, seeing that I still wouldn't admit it, said in a deep voice.

"Autumn Hayes, do you have any conscience? You killed your own mother. It's either the death penalty or life imprisonment!"

Hearing his resolute voice, I couldn't speak another word.

Julian spoke each word distinctly.

"If you confess now, you might get a reduced sentence."

My eyes instantly welled up.

"Julian, how can I confess to something I didn't do?"

Julian stood up.

"I'll come back when you've thought it through."

With that, he turned and left.

I watched his retreating back, at a loss.

Just then, the officer said someone else wanted to see me.

The person who walked in was Violet Hayes.

As soon as I saw her, I immediately stood up.

"What did you do to Mom? How did she die?"

Violet looked at me, smiling sweetly.

"What could I do? Wasn't it you who couldn't stand her, so you pulled her tubes and put her out of her misery?"

"I should thank you. From now on, I have no burdens whatsoever."

Hearing this, my pupils contracted sharply.

"You know this is murder, right? I'm going to tell the police!"

Violet laughed.

"Go ahead and tell them. My husband is the best gold-standard lawyer in the country! Do you think the police will believe you, or me?"

"And I have something to show you."

Violet pulled out her phone.

"This is what Mom left for you before she passed."

In the video, Mrs. Hayes's face was ashen, speaking each word distinctly.

"Autumn, Mom knows she's been a burden to you all these years, which is why you wanted Mom to die."

"Mom doesn't blame you."

Seeing this, my head buzzed. My fingertips dug into my nails, my palm bleeding.

I never imagined that the first time I heard my mother's instructions, it would be to frame me.

"Mom… why would you do this to me? Am I not your daughter anymore?"

Only despair remained.

After Violet left, I stayed alone in the detention center, in agony.

After a week of being dazed and confused.

The officer told me that my case was so severe it had spread throughout New York City.

No lawyer in New York City was willing to take my case; not even legal aid wanted to touch it.

But Julian Vance came to see me again.

Visiting room.

As soon as I entered, before I even sat down, I heard Julian speak.

"Have you thought it through? Are you willing to confess?"

I looked at him, my face pale, repeating my previous answer.

"How can I confess to something I didn't do?"

Hearing the same answer as last time, a flicker of annoyance crossed Julian's eyes.

"Autumn Hayes! You're still unrepentant even now. Do you know how many people outside want you to get the death penalty?"

I lowered my gaze and asked.

"What about you?"

11.

Julian unconsciously averted his gaze, falling silent.

The room was quiet. What else was there to understand?

I clung to a last shred of hope, asking Julian.

"Julian, do you really not believe me at all?"

Julian heard the hope in my voice and his gaze returned to my face.

He couldn't help but remember the little me, always trailing behind him, her voice soft and sweet.

"Julian, when I grow up, I want to marry someone just like you."

"Julian, I like you so much. Let's be together when I'm an adult, okay?"

"Julian, don't worry about your bar exam, I'll take care of your mom…"

Thinking of these things, a strange pang of pain pierced Julian's heart.

Seeing Julian fall silent again, I smiled bitterly.

"I understand. It's fine."

"But since no one is willing to take my case now, Julian, can you be my lawyer?"

I could go to jail, but I didn't want to go to jail with a bad name.

Julian, however, refused without hesitation.

"I won't take the case of someone like you."

One sentence completely crushed my heart, stripping away my last hope.

My clenched hands trembled slightly.

Then, I heard Julian say.

"Violet's and my wedding has been postponed. I'm now Violet's lawyer; she has filed a lawsuit against you."

Hearing this, I suddenly understood. So this was why Julian had come to see me, to make me confess.

I felt as if I'd fallen into an ice cellar, lowering my eyes in self-mockery.

"Only now do I understand, Julian, you truly don't like me."

Julian didn't answer me, but stood up.

"I will personally ensure you're sent to prison, for your sister."

After he left, I suddenly laughed. I didn't understand why I was laughing.

Perhaps it was for my twelve-year, unrequited love.

I was led out of the visiting room by the officer, but at the door, I saw Liam Foster.

Liam saw me, his eyes filled with worry.

"Autumn, I know you're innocent! You took care of your mother for six years; you couldn't possibly murder her!"

My eyes welled up. The Julian I had loved for over a decade didn't believe me, but Liam, who I'd known for five years, firmly believed in me.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't have the chance to start a new life with him.

"Liam, thank you for believing me."

"But I'm sorry, I have to cancel our plan to eat tiramisu."

And the promise to date him was also cancelled.

Liam's eyes immediately reddened.

"Don't say that. When you get out, I'll make it for you again."

I shook my head.

"No, I'm actually quite alright now."

"The life I lived at The Skyline Club was worse than being in jail. At least in jail, I don't have to entertain clients, and I don't have to worry about not having money for Mom's treatment."

Liam, however, wouldn't give up.

"I will find evidence to prove your innocence!"

"Wait for me!"

After he left, I was sent back to the detention room.

Soon, the day of the trial arrived.

I sat alone in the defendant's dock, facing Violet Hayes, the plaintiff, and a sharply dressed Julian Vance.

I just watched.

Julian meticulously presented all the surveillance footage, videos, and other evidence, explaining each point to the judge.

I felt as if I couldn't hear anything.

In my mind, there were only snippets of my past with Julian.

His praise for my delicious breakfasts, his gratitude for me taking care of Mrs. Vance.

And the way he rejected me.

And now, the way he was desperately trying to convict me.

"Does the defendant have anything else to say?"

My eyes were red-rimmed as I looked at the video of my mother before her death, displayed behind Violet.

I then looked at Julian across from me, the corners of my eyes red.

My own mother used her death to frame me; how else could I argue?

"I plead guilty."