Chapter 5
The day shift brought a new crew of cops to the station.
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When they heard the 911 caller was also the prime suspect, their brains froze, like they missed their morning coffee.
Usually, anyone bold enough to waltz into a precinct to clear their name is either a slick crook with connections or actually innocent.
One look at Natasha’s cool, steady face, and the cops bet on the latter.
Still, the victim’s family was dead set, so the cops had to play along and dig in.
Then the kicker: the victim and suspect were sisters. Olivia, the adopted daughter, was being pampered like a princess, while Natasha, the real daughter, stood alone, demanding a chance to prove herself.
The female officer taking notes untangled the family drama and shot a look that said, “What the hell?”
The Clark brothers–one stone–cold, the other losing his cool–treated Natasha like public enemy number one.
As questioning rolled on, the supposed motive came up: Natasha was allegedly jealous of Olivia since they were kids, thinking she stole her boyfriend.
The officer glanced at the guy fussing over the pale, coughing Olivia–handing her meds, water, a blanket, the whole deal–and threw him a look that could sour milk.
‘Really, dude?‘ she thought. ‘He is practically glued to her side. Do they need to catch them in the act to call it shady?‘
Natasha stayed quiet, playing ball with the investigation, and the officer’s heart went out to her.
When their eyes met, Natasha flashed a chill smile that hit like a spark.
‘Damn, the officer thought, ‘this girl’s too gorgeous to be a killer. Then she eyed Olivia and nearly rolled her eyes. ‘Rich people drama, straight out of a reality show.
Feelings couldn’t sway the case, though.
The officer grabbed Natasha a hot cocoa and a chocolate bar from her stash.
She’d seen the family’s maid skip Natasha’s breakfast like it was nothing. The favoritism was loud
and clear.
Olivia’s injuries were minor, and she wanted to settle things quietly, but hiring someone to hurt her
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Chapter 5
was a big deal. The station wasn’t slacking.
Cracking the case was simple: track down the hit–and–run driver and make him spill.
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Turned out, he was paid off–not by Natasha, but by Alice N, an old high school classmate of both
sisters.
Alice and Olivia danced at the same company, always scrapping for the lead role.
Alice admitted she wanted to sideline Olivia with a small injury to steal her spot.
Knowing the sisters‘ bad blood–and still pissed about Natasha bullying her back in the day–she framed Natasha to kill two birds with one stone.
She figured Olivia would let it slide for Natasha’s sake, and the blame would stick. But Natasha wasn’t about to take the fall.
Alice’s dance career was kaput, but since Olivia’s injuries were light and she felt bad for the driver, she pushed for a deal. Neither he nor Alice got hit hard. Alice stayed cool about it.
Dancing was just a paycheck for her modest background, and whatever she got out of this was enough to keep her quiet.
As she passed Natasha, Alice shot her a smug look. ‘Cleared your name, huh? But Olivia’s still winning.’
With a bitter smirk, she thought, ‘Natasha’s got all the money, but she’s just as screwed as me.
The truth left the Clark family squirming.
Andrew, still stinging from the slap he’d given Natasha that morning, felt a twinge of guilt but turned it into blame. “If you hadn’t been such a bully back then, no one could’ve framed Olivia.”
Natasha laughed, pure disbelief. “So, if Olivia trips, it’s my fault for walking by? She’s so fragile, why not put her in a bubble and pray to her daily?”
“What kinda nonsense is that? You’re bad–mouthing your sister again!” Andrew raised his hand.
“Hey! No swinging in here!” the officer snapped.
Olivia coughed like she was on her last breath, and Madeline rushed over, glaring at her husband and kids. “Olivia’s always been sick, and you drag her out at dawn for this crap. Natasha, when are you gonna grow up?”
Thomas piled on, face sour, “You knew it wasn’t you. Why turn it into a circus and embarrass us?”
Noel smirked. “Maybe someone’s just desperate for the spotlight”
Natasha didn’t flinch, like she’d heard this a million times.
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Chapter 5
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With a big eye–roll, she fired back, “Sure, I’m the drama queen, the big bad villain. But at least I’m human. Unlike you, with your pretty faces spitting lies, brains on vacation, eyes for decoration, and hearts so twisted they’d gross out a sewer.”
“Pfft-“The cops stifled laughs. The real daughter was nearly locked up as a killer, and this family was still obsessed with their adopted darling.
Natasha had spunk, but the officer was done with the soap opera.
Stepping in with a grin, she said, “Ms. Clark, you’re free to go. Get some rest. Ms. Wen, we might need you for follow–ups since you’re the victim.”
Natasha was over it. She thanked the officer and strutted out.
Lucas started to follow, but Olivia wobbled dramatically, and he stopped to hold her up.
Madeline called after Natasha, “Where are you going? Your engagement party with Lucas is in a month. Come home.”
They could handle the guests and food, but she’d need to try on her dress.
At the word “engagement,” Olivia’s eyes dropped, her grip tightening on Lucas.
Natasha spun around, her smile sharp. “Mrs.. Clark, take a good look at who Lucas is holding. You really think throwing our engagement party is a good idea?”
Every eye locked on Lucas and Olivia, tangled up together. They looked good–too bad he was the fiancé, and she was the fiancee’s sister.
Noel wasn’t having it. “Dirty hearts see dirty things,” he sneered. “Olivia’s sick, and Lucas is just helping. Only a jealous type like you would make a big deal out of it.”
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