Strangers To Lovers

Chapter Fifty Seven

It was difficult to understand the rapid-fire words of the policewoman as she spoke, her voice almost blending with the ringing in my ears. All I could catch was the familiar phrase: “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you in a court of law.” But my mother wasn’t paying attention, or maybe she just didn’t care. She stood there, her eyes flashing with defiance, repeatedly asking, “Am I under arrest?” Her voice rang out again and again, the disbelief and anger evident.

The officer, calm and unfazed by my mother’s constant barrage of questions, pointed toward her wrists as she pulled out the handcuffs. My mother’s protests turned into demands. “What’s the basis? What for? I want to see a warrant!” Her words fell on deaf ears as the officer twisted her hands behind her back, the metallic clink of the cuffs echoing in the space.

Sierra stood a few feet away, watching the scene with a mix of pity and resolution on her face. “It’s over, Theresa,” she said softly, but the edge in her voice was undeniable.

My mother shot a glare at her. “Over? You think you can just drag me away like a criminal?”

Sierra didn’t flinch. “You are a criminal, Theresa. Perjury, obstruction of justice, filing false reports. The list goes on.” Her voice was steady, but it carried the weight of finality.

My mother laughed bitterly. “You think you can pin this all on me? You’re just as guilty.”

The policewoman tightened the cuffs, causing my mother to wince, but she didn’t stop. “You’re being taken in, Mrs. Connor. You’re not above the law.”

“I am the law,” my mother hissed, her voice dripping with venom. “You all forget who I am.”

“No,” I said softly, stepping forward. “You forget who we are. You’re not invincible.”

The officer began guiding her toward the exit, but my mother’s voice carried across the room. “You don’t understand! If I go down, you all go down with me!” Her eyes locked on mine, full of rage and a strange hint of desperation. “Luke, you’re making a mistake!”

I felt a pang of guilt twist in my gut, but I shook it off. I had to stay strong. “I’m not making a mistake,” I replied, my voice steady even though my heart was pounding. “You are.”

As they led her away, Sierra stepped forward, her hand briefly brushing my shoulder. “I’m sorry it had to come to this.”

I looked at her, seeing the sadness in her eyes. She had been complicit, but now she was trying to fix things. “It’s not your fault,” I said quietly, even though a part of me wanted to blame her too. “We all have to face the consequences.”

Sierra nodded and glanced at Isabelle, who stood silently nearby, her face pale and drawn. “Look after her,” she said softly before turning to follow the officers.

I watched as my mother disappeared from view, the click of her heels growing fainter with each step. The weight of everything that had happened pressed down on my chest, and for a moment, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.

Ella appeared beside me, her hand slipping into mine. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered, squeezing my hand reassuringly.

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I believed her. “It doesn’t feel like it,” I admitted, my voice hoarse.

Dylan stepped forward, his face grim but determined. “We need to get moving,” he said. “There’s still a lot to take care of.”

Levi, who had been watching quietly from the side, finally spoke. “I’ve called for a meeting with the board. We’re forcing her to retire early.”

I blinked at him, surprised. “Already?”

He gave a small shrug. “We can’t wait. This is our chance to make things right, to fix what she’s done.”

Channing, standing next to Levi, looked uncertain. “Are you sure this is the right move? Forcing her out so quickly?”

Levi turned to him, his expression hardening. “It’s the only move. If we don’t act now, she’ll find a way to come back.”

Channing didn’t seem convinced, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he looked at me. “What about you, Luke? What are you going to do?”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “There’s so much to process. But I know one thing—Levi’s right. We have to act fast before she regains any power.”

Ella stepped closer, her voice low but firm. “You’re not alone in this. We’ll all figure it out together.”

I met her gaze, feeling the warmth of her support. “Thanks,” I murmured, pulling her in for a quick hug. I needed that reminder—that I wasn’t alone in this fight.

As we started to leave the airport, Dylan caught up with us, his brow furrowed. “There’s something else,” he said, his voice cautious.

“What now?” I asked, feeling the exhaustion in my bones.

Dylan handed me a folder, the pages neatly organized inside. “Your mother forged your signature on the marriage certificate.”

My heart dropped. “What?”

“She forged it,” Dylan repeated. “But don’t worry. We have enough evidence to get the marriage annulled.”

I stared at the folder in disbelief. Of course, my mother had taken it one step further. “So, I was never married?”

Dylan nodded. “That’s right. It’s as if it never happened.”

Ella let out a breath of relief beside me. “Thank God,” she whispered.

I closed the folder, feeling a strange sense of closure wash over me. “What happens next?”

“We go to the police station and make sure everything is on record,” Dylan said. “Then we take it from there.”

Levi, ever the strategist, chimed in. “And after that, we move forward with the company. I’m ready to step up, Luke. I know I can do it.”

I looked at him, the weight of responsibility settling heavily on my shoulders. “Are you sure?”

Levi nodded, his expression resolute. “I’ve never been more sure.”

I couldn’t help but smile at him, feeling a swell of pride. “Then let’s do this.”

As we drove away from the airport, the tension slowly began to lift. The storm had passed, but there was still so much to clean up. I stared out the window, my thoughts drifting to what lay ahead. The board meeting, the police station, the fallout from everything my mother had done.

Ella leaned against me, her warmth grounding me in the moment. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered again, and this time, I believed her.

I pressed a kiss to her forehead, my heart finally beginning to calm. “I know.”

But even as I said the words, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. There was still so much left to face, so many challenges ahead. But with Ella by my side, I knew I could handle it.

As the car pulled up to the police station, I took a deep breath. This was it—the start of a new chapter. One where we would finally be free of my mother’s control.

And for the first time in a long while, I felt hopeful.