Chapter 5%
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The police followed my gaze as it swept over the crowd. Their expressions shifted, sharp and alert.”
“So, who is it?” one of them asked.
I swallowed hard, then spoke slowly. “It’s my husband. Sean.“}
Sean’s face changed instantly. The rage in his eyes was unmistakable, his voice rising with disbelief. “Maya, what nonsense are you spouting? I’m a man–how could I possibly… possibly turn into you and do something like that?!“}
I didn’t look at him. I kept my eyes on the officer and continued calmly, “My parents are accomplices too. They helped him frame me.“}]
Gasps rippled through the crowd. The same women who had tried to beat me earlier now exchanged uncertain glances, looking at Sean with suspicion.
The officer’s expression darkened. His tone grew colder. “Mrs. Johnson, if you don’t have any evidence, it’s best not to make accusations.”
I understood what he meant. If the person in the video truly was me, this would be written off as a simple case of public disturbance and indecent content. But if I was right–if the video had been faked and my family had helped stage it–then this became something much
darker. Premeditated criminal.
I met the officer’s eyes, voice unwavering. “Call my parents. Once they’re here, I’ll present the evidence. But if I speak now, they’ll destroy
it.”
He paused, then gave a nod and made the call. While another officer went to fetch my parents, I sat down on the cold concrete steps outside the hotel, covering my face with both hands.
The growing crowd buzzed with low murmurs, curious eyes flicking between me, the police and the entrance. A few people began livestreaming. I heard the artificial clicks of phone cameras, the exaggerated gasps, the self–righteous tones of people eager to tell the world what they thought they saw.
Then, through the crowd, my parents arrived.
My mother pushed her way forward, panic written all over her face. The moment she saw me–disheveled, shaken, surrounded by strangers and flashing lights–she rushed over and pulled me into her arms.
“Maya, don’t be afraid. Mom is here,” she said, her voice trembling.
My father followed right behind her. His eyes were red, fists clenched at his sides as he turned to face the crowd.
“The investigation isn’t even finished! How can you treat our daughter like this?” he shouted, his voice breaking.”
Then he turned to the officer. “My daughter was home all night. She didn’t go anywhere. My wife and I can testify to that.”>
Hearing him say that, I felt something twist in my chest. My throat tightened. The tears came before I could stop them, blurring the scene in front of me.
In my previous life, they had stood by me just like this. Even when the police told them about the DNA test results, even when the world hurled shame at our family, they believed in me. They believed their daughter had been framed, that I had been drugged, coerced- anything but willing.
They never turned their backs on me. Not once.
And for that, they were destroyed.”
People cursed them online, calling them the worst kind of parents–ones who refused to discipline a depraved daughter. Strangers vandalized our home. Paint was splashed across our walls. Power lines were cut. Protest banners were strung up at their workplace, demanding their resignation.
In the end, they died alone. Driven to their deaths by a world that never cared to listen.”
I couldn’t let that happen again.
I wiped my eyes and took a deep breath, steadying my voice. “Mom, Dad… I didn’t do this. And I will prove it.”
They looked at me with nothing but love and worry in their eyes. I forced myself to keep going.
“No matter what others say–don’t listen. Don’t argue. Just stay out of this and take care of yourselves. Please.”
The moment hung heavy. Around us, the murmurs started again. But the tone was different now. Suspicion. Scorn. “What the hell? Didn’t she just say her parents were in on it too?“}
“Now she’s crying into their arms like they’re the only ones who ever loved her. What kind of joke is she playing?“>
“She’s stalling. Trying to buy time. First, it’s a conspiracy, now it’s a tearful family drama. She’s just desperate not to get arrested.”
10:31 AM
