Reyna’s POV.

“You're under arrest ma'am.”

Those words hit my chest like stray bullets, threatening to crush my heart.

I stared in shock at the police officer clad in a crisp white shirt, black pants and a baton in hand.

“Arrest? Why? What's my crime?” I asked all questions at once, slowly letting go of the polished mansion door.

“You're under arrest for the murder of Jeremy Hall,” His next words ignited panic inside of me.

The walls of the mansion have been silent because of him, no one dared spoke his name during the period of mourning as it was still shocking to the family.

And now, I was being arrested for his death?

I shook my head softly, swallowing the lump formed in my throat, “I'm sorry, this has to be a mistake. My husband was involved in an accident. I didn't murder him.”

The policeman shot me a scrutinizing gaze, hitting the baton on his hand with caution.

“Well ma'am, evidence has been provided against you. It'd be better to be quiet as whatever you say right now would be used against you.” He said, his voice firm and final.

My heart skipped a beat, how was there evidence when he was involved in an accident?

Without thinking, I called out to his family, forgetting they never cared about me in the first place.

“If there's evidence, then you surely did it!” Jeremy's aunt sneered.

“I warned Jeremy not to get married to a gold digging woman, look where it landed him!” My mother in-law hissed.

“She must have done this because he stopped giving her money,” His cousin added.

I felt my stomach twisting into hard knots as I realized I had no one on my side.

I turned to the policemen, wanting to speak but no words came forth. My eyes moistened but I had no tears to shed.

I had cried my eyes out after Jeremy's death and now I was being accused.

“I promise I didn't kill Jeremy,” I said, my voice trembling from the tension within me.

But no one cared to listen.. They believed the policemen.

And just like that, I was handcuffed out of the Hall mansion, for a crime I knew nothing about.

As I reluctantly walked with the officer, I racked my head in search of the person behind this.

The Hall family despised me but they'd never stoop low enough as to get me into trouble.

This was an outsider but who?

********************

The air in the prison was a mix of fatigue, sweat and helplessness.

The dark walls of the room complimented the darkness I felt inside, the darkness that came from being alone.

It was stuffy and uncomfortable. I felt like rolling my eyes to the back of my head as the foul smell in the room made me feel dizzy.

But I held on to the cold bars, my sweaty fingers barely hanging on to them.

Although I was feeling dizzy, I didn't feel weak. I was still wondering who presented the evidence against me.

The clicking of heels against the rough marble floor distracted me from my thoughts. My eyes stayed fixed to the figure approaching the prison.

The flickering bulb in the passageway shone on the figure's face in a flash.

Those eyes were too familiar to miss.

My step sister.

As she walked towards the prison, her lips curled up into a coy smirk, her green eyes glistening with feigned pity.

“What are you doing here?” I asked the moment she got closer.

She clicked her tongue, stretching her hands forward as she admired her nails.

“Well, I heard my step sister got jailed for her husband's death. So I came to check up on her,” She said, her voice sounding too nice.

Growing up, we never got along. My father favored her over me after getting married to her mother and even then, she was still jealous of me.

I couldn't shake off the feeling that she had something up her sleeves.

“Since when did you start caring?” I asked, tightening my grip on the bars.

“Well, I got you here so I might as well ensure you're enjoying your new home.” She grinned first, before scowling at me.

I clutched my chest in a fit to numb the pain.

“You presented the evidence? You knew it was an accident. Why would you do that?!” I snapped at her.

“That's what you get for stealing Jeremy from me. Since you succeeded in killing him, I'll make sure you lose face in front of his family too!” She hissed, placing her hands on her waist.

A soft gasp escaped my lips, the turmoil inside of me doubling but I stayed calm. It felt like my body was fighting to stay strong.

“You'll regret this Jessica,” I gritted out as the feeling of betrayal stung.

“Yeah, that'd be if you manage to get out of here.” She said, her lips breaking into a mocking laughter.

“Bye, sis.” Jessica said, waving a hand as she walked away.

My eyes trailed her figure, watching her until she disappeared into the darkness.

Sure, we didn't get along but the last thing I had expected was to be framed by her.

I felt the dizziness increased, I placed a hand on my head trying to steady myself.

I took long drags of air but they did little to pacify the nausea.

With every attempt to fight against the dizzy feeling, the weaker I became.

“Wha-what’s going on?” I muttered softly, exhaling as fast as I inhaled.

My vision blurred and I lost resistance, my body hitting the ground with a loud thud.

I felt my head throb with pain before everything went black.

When I later opened my eyes, I found myself in a white-painted room. The smell of antiseptics filled my nostrils as I regained consciousness.

I tried lifting my head but the throbbing of pain came back stronger. I laid down on the bed.

My eyes scanned the room and I noticed a doctor and a policeman talking.

“She's three weeks pregnant. How will she manage being in the prison?” I heard the doctor ask the policeman.

“We'll figure that out doc, thank you so much.” The policeman replied.

My heart stopped for a second. I was pregnant?

How would I take care of a child amidst this trouble?

Nicholas POV.

The office felt empty without Jeremy's bubbling presence.

I found it difficult to focus on work when everything around me reminded me of him.

We've worked together to build the Hall’s enterprise for so many years and now, I felt incomplete.

But work has to go on.

His death was something I never considered an accident, it was carefully planned.

But I had no idea who it was that would want my brother dead.

Although his wife was arrested, it didn't sit well with me that she was the killer. The two were happily married and so in love, she wouldn't kill her source of joy.

I didn't know who it was but I knew whoever it was, was really smart with covering their tracks.

While watching the view of the busy city from the window, I heard my phone ring.

I stared at the caller's ID, surprised to see it was from the police station. I recalled leaving my details with the policeman who arrested Reyna in case of an emergency.

My pulse quickened, ‘did something happen?’ I wondered as I picked up the call.

“Hello, how can I help?” I asked as the phone got connected.

Upon hearing the news passed on to me, my brows pulled together in surprise.

I immediately headed for the police station.

***************

A junior police officer directed me to the room where Reyna was kept.

The room was really dark, with a dimly lit bulb hanging at the center of the room.

I spotted Reyna sitting on a chair, her eyes sunken with dryness, and her skin looked pale. She looked so different from the cheerful, beautiful lady I knew, like her essence disappeared together with my brother.

“Reyna,” I called out, her gaze moving toward me.

I moved closer to her, my nose catching a faint lavender scent from her.

“I was informed of your pregnancy.” I started, fixing my hands into my pants.

She sighed, “Yes, I just found out too.”

“It's sad that my brother's death has landed you here and...”

“I didn't kill him, I promise.” She cut me off mid sentence, her eyes sparkling with a silent cry for help.

I frowned, “No one's going to believe you, not even me.”

“So why are you here then? To mock me like the other family members?” She questioned, her arms wrapping around her chest.

“I don't believe you did it but I can't argue with the evidence. Do you have an idea on who did this to you?”

She nodded immediately, “Yes, I do.”

I rubbed my chin slightly, my gaze never leaving her face.

“I'd give you a chance to prove your innocence to the world, just because it's unsafe for you to birth a child in such an environment.” I declared.

“How will you get me out of here?” She asked.

“A contract marriage. You'll become my wife and I'll offer you a name for your child, protection and shelter. All on one condition.”

She clasped her hands together, “I'll do anything, tell me I'm listening.”

“You'll help me find my brother's true killer.”

“I promise to find my husband’s killer, no matter how difficult it gets.” She stated, her voice low but firm.

“Good. Come with me,” I ordered as I turned towards the exit.

“How will I leave here if there's evidence against me?” She questioned, putting me to an abrupt halt.

“My lawyer is helping you get bail that'll last until you've given birth. You have to find the true killer before then or you'd be back here and I'd do nothing about it.”

“I'd try my best to find them.”

After signing the necessary documents, Reyna got released from prison.

She quickly fell asleep in the car, as if she’d been dying to sleep comfortably.

We arrived at my lawyer’s office after some minutes, where we sealed the fate of our marriage.

After signing the marriage certificate, I handed them to Reyna.

“Don't expect love from me. This is nothing but a charade.” I reinstated, making it clear that I was not going to be emotionally available.

She was mine only on paper, but in reality she was alone. I was only here to protect my brother's seed.

It was the least I could do for him.

Reyna nodded curtly, putting her signature on the papers as well.

From the lawyer’s office, we arrived home.

The gazes of the workers were fixed on Reyna, who hesitated to walk into the mansion.

I held her hand, pulling her along with me as I walked in.

The first person who noticed us walking in was my mother.

“Stop right there!” She demanded, rising up from the couch with a tight frown on her face.

“What the hell is she doing with you Nicholas?” She questioned further, pointing at Reyna.

“She's now my wife, mother.” I declared.

My mom covered her mouth with both hands, retreating as if my words pushed her away from me.

“Aren't you ashamed getting married to your brother's wife? This is despicable!” She howled, her voice seething with disappointment.

I was not about to tell her Reyna was pregnant. The hatred my mother harbored for Reyna would increase.

She never found Reyna food enough for the Hall family, just cause she wasn't from an influential family.

To her, Reyna was an opportunist who deceived Jeremy into marriage to enjoy luxury. So she wanted her out by all means, but she never did anything deliberate to kick her out.

So I thought it wise for her to find out about the pregnancy later, not now.

“I understand your annoyance mother but you have to accept her.”

My mother scoffed, “Accept this witch?”

Before I could speak further, my mother hit Reyna on the face.

Jessica's POV

“She's right where she deserves to be,” I said, reminiscing the pale look on Reyna's face.

I'd waited so long to get back at her for stealing Jeremy from me.

Jeremy was my groom from the very beginning, I never liked him but my mother convinced me into the arranged marriage because of his status.

I was in love with someone else, but I wanted to keep Jeremy too, cause he had the power and luxury that my lover didn't have.

But Reyna, out of nowhere told Jeremy about my plans. She ruined my chances with Jeremy and also made Daniel break up with me.

The embarrassment I faced from both men stuck with me for so long, that I found it difficult to show my face in public places, afraid that I'd be recognized by someone who had witnessed the drama that day.

After playing the innocent girl, she snatched Jeremy away from me. And I couldn't do anything about it.

I watched both of them play the perfect couple, leaving me to pretend like I was happy with their alliance.

To think my mother even forced me to help Reyna get dressed for her wedding now made my blood boil.

I wouldn't blame her, she wanted the best for me but I couldn't let Daniel go. I loved him yet I lost him eventually.

I was basking in heartbreak and rejection until Jeremy's sudden death. And I seized the opportunity to punish Reyna for the humiliation she caused me.

What better way than get her arrested for his death? Even though I was aware of how everything played out.

Growing up, she claimed to be so smart. So it made me feel giddy seeing that she can't get herself out of this, I was one step ahead for once!

I tied my hair into a ponytail, adjusting my blue top as I stared at myself in the mirror. I applied some light make-up as I prepared myself to go out.

Just then, my phone rang.

I picked it up, my lips turning up as I stared at the caller's ID.

“Hi boss, funny how I was getting dressed to come see you,” I said.

“That’s cute, I can't wait to have you bent over. Anyways, I called to commend your efforts on the job,” a baritone voice came from the other end.

“I couldn't have done without you, you know,” I smiled at myself while staring at my reflection. 

Accusing Reyna of such a crime wouldn't have been possible without the edited evidence and it was all thanks to my accomplice.

“Right. But there's a problem,” My pulse quickened upon hearing that.

I lifted a brow, curios to know what the problem was.

“What's the issue boss?”

“I think she's been released on bail,” He said.

My fingers curled into fists, “What?! How?!”

“Nicholas Hall. She was with him.”

I turned away from the mirror, my body facing the window.

“Has he lost his mind? She's literally been accused of his brother's death and he released her?” I thundered, not knowing how to express the disappointment I was feeling.

“Calm down Jess. I think he's plotting something, we have to act fast.” His voice dripping with urgency.

A slow hum came out of my lips as my jaws clenched, “You're closer to him than I am, you can figure out what he's plotting. In the mean time, I'd find something to do about Reyna.”

“Great. I'll get back to you soon.” And with that, the call got disconnected.

My heart raced as my mind replayed the news I just received.

Why did he release her? He was supposed to be against her like the rest of the family?

Does this mean he doesn't think she did it? Or he has a love interest for her?

“Ugh, this wretched Reyna just knows how to capture the heart of the rich!” I hissed, throwing my fist in the air.

My body trembled, as my intrusive thoughts kicked in.

‘What if he found out about the conspiracy?’

‘Worse, what if he discovered someone in the family was working with me to ruin Reyna?’

I shook my head in a fit to clear the thoughts, there's no way that could have happened. The boss is too smart to be caught this soon.

But now that it has gotten to this, I might as well play another disturbing card.

My lips curled up into a smirk, “So what if she's now with Nicholas? I'll make sure to ruin whatever is going on between the two.”

I wasn't going to stop.

I didn't plan to stop.

Not until I witness Reyna's downfall.