Chapter 6
“Why were you taking your anger out on Lila? She is only five! She is innocent!”
Andrew’s voice was full of heartbreak and confusion as he questioned me.
At that moment, Ruby could not hold back any longer and stepped forward, her face serious as she looked at me.
“Clara, no matter what has happened between us in the past, I’ve always been by your side.”
“But this time, you‘ ve really gone too far.”
“When a husband and wife argue, they should at least settle things with a good conversation, not let their emotions turn into something so destructive.”
“Why would you let Lila pay the price for a small mistake that Andrew made?”
“Lila is such a good, loving child and she cares so much about you. How could you
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possibly bear to let her suffer like this?”
Ruby confronted me. Her voice was filled with a deep sense of disappointment and helplessness.
I gazed at her for a long moment before answering any of her questions.
Suddenly, a group of police officers stormed into the scene.
“Who called the police? Who is responsible for murdering a child?”
At the sound of the officer’s question, the crowd immediately turned toward me, their angry fingers pointing in my direction.
“Sir, it’s her! This woman indirectly caused her daughter’s death!”
“Yes, arrest her quickly! A person like her is a danger to society!”
“If she could kill her own child, what
wouldn’t she do?”
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“This kind of person is a danger to the world and should not be allowed to walk
free!”
The crowd was filled with rage, their words harsh and filled with condemnation. It felt as though they wanted me to be executed right there on the spot.
The police came right up to me and said firmly, “Ma‘ am, please come with us for questioning.”
Just as the officers were about to handcuff me, I spoke up without hesitation, “You’ve got the wrong person.”
“I didn’t kill anyone.”
With that, I turned and pointed directly at my best friend, Ruby, standing off to the
side.
“She did.”
At my sudden accusation, Ruby‘ s face twisted in shock and confusion.
Her eyes were wide with disbelief and her
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voice cracked. “Clara, you… What are you saying?”
“I have always thought about you and stood by your side.”
“It’s one thing if you refuse to admit your crime, but how could you turn around and try to frame me?”
“Everyone here is not an idiot and you can’t fool the police so easily.”
“Throwing baseless accusations and slandering me won’t help you!”
Ruby‘ s expression was one of complete innocence, her eyes brimming with heartache as if she was the one wronged in
all of this.
People around fell silent after hearing this.
The way she looked at me only deepened the disgust in the air.
I faced her directly, my voice calm yet sharp as I asked, “Ruby, how have I treated you over the years?”
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Ruby met my gaze without hesitation as she replied, “You and I are like sisters. You have always been incredibly kind to me.”
“Back when I was studying, my family was. struggling that they couldn’t afford my tuition. You were the one who always helped me without asking for anything in return.”
“Because of your kindness, I worked hard to study medicine, determined to repay you in some way.”
As she spoke, Ruby‘ s expression suddenly shifted, a realization seeming to dawn on her. She looked at me with tears in her eyes as she added, “Clara, do you want me to use our past friendship to bear these charges for you?”
“If it were possible, I would take everything upon myself for you, no matter what.”
“But everyone can see what’s been happening and I just can’t cover for your anymore.”
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“You should confess, admit your mistake and maybe you’ll be shown some mercy.”
“I’m only saying this because I care about you.”
Ruby spoke with such sincerity that every word seemed to come from a place of deep sisterly affection.
It was impossible for anyone present not to be moved by her selflessness and kindness.
She was even called the perfect example of what a best friend should be.
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