ᗴ᙭ᑭᒪOՏIᐯᗴՏ|ᵗⁱᵐ ᵇʳᵃᵈᶠᵒʳᵈ

𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 16| 𝘛𝘰𝘥𝘢𝘺... 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘶𝘯.

"This way, Sir."

Bradford merely lifted his eyes to glance at the woman. He sighed. "What do you want now, Diana?"

"Just some fun," she grinned, grabbing his hand enthusiastically. "Trust me, you'll like it."

Out of the corner of his eyes, he noticed the winks Chen was exchanging with the detective before his look hit her, and the officer quickly fled the scene. He crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not in the mood for guessing games, I have to study for my exams."

"All you've been doing these past weeks is studying. Of course you're not in the mood for anything fun."

"Diana-"

"Think about it." She halted, gesticulating wildly with her arms and hand. "The word 'studying' includes the word 'dying'. This is brainwash, we- Ah! What the hell, Tim?"

Rolling his eyes, he put the chart back behind the desk they stood next to, not bothering to acknowledge the looks that were given him because he used it to hit a woman. He'd done it lightly. Who cares?

With a small pout, Diana rubbed the tingling spot on her arm. "What a monster."

"Call your mommy, Ryder. So, what is this about?"

The woman had prepared herself for a snarky come back, hadn't it been for his mention of her mother. Now, of course Bradford couldn't know about it, but today was coincidentally the day her mother had been arrested - only that it was over 15 years ago.

No, Diana couldn't call her mother. She couldn't contact her in any way. Sure, it was a possibility, she was certified insane in court and had gotten a rather mild punishment in a psychological treatment facility. Basically, she got what she needed, namely Therapy.

At least that's what her father had told her. She never actually saw it happen. The police took her away from the toxic cult she grew up in and placed her in a warm and loving family - at least they grew to be one. Since the day she was arrested, Diana had never seen or spoken to her mother at all. Some people had urged her to do the step, and others told her she was better off without her. Only a small group of people had remained neutral, saying they would support her whatever decision she made.

Before she could stop herself, she recalled a memory from a very, very long time ago.
_

"Mommy?"

The woman looked away from the vegetables in front of her she was currently cutting. "Not now, Diana, I'm preparing for supper. And I told you to call me 'mother', didn't I?"

Blushing, the girl nodded. "Yes, mother."

"Oh, dear," the woman smiled at how cute her little girl was, her dark, coily hair bobbing up and down in the pony tail she put it up into. "Are you done with your chores yet?"

"Yes, mother. But-"

"Good. Go back to your brothers and sisters now. See if they need help with anything."

"Mother-" the girl tried again, but her mother simply turned around, taking care of the pot on the stove. Diana hungrily eyed the cucumber on the cutting board before her. The day before, she had been punished for slipping up at dinner when she spoke without their lords permission. Drool pooled in her mouth as her hand reached out. Before she even realized it, the long vegetable lay in her hand, ready to be devoured.

The sound of her bite echoed through the room, making her mother turn around in wonder. "Wha- Diana Penelope Jones! What in the world possesses you to go behind your mother's back and steal a giving of our lord and saviour?" She snatched the food out of her daughter's hand. "You shall be punished for your sin! No supper for you! Tomorrow, you will do yours and your sisters chores, and if I hear even one single sound leaving your dirty mouth, I will have to wash it out with soap again!"