SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 83
+25 BONUS (Winona)
I sit in the cold, sterile interview room, my heart pounding in my chest. The fluorescent lights buzz overhead, casting a harsh glare on the metal table between me and the two detectives.
My hands tremble as I clutch the edge of my chair, trying to steady myself. Every muscle in my body is tense, and my throat feels like it's closing up.
"Ms. Nolan, you need to understand the seriousness of these charges," the older detective says, his voice gruff. "We have multiple witnesses who saw you push Ashlyn Brennan down those stairs. She is pressing attempted murder charges."
"I didn't push her!" I insist, my voice cracking under the weight of my desperation. "She set me up! She said horrible things to me, she provoked me!" I can feel my pulse in my temples, each beat a reminder of my mounting panic.
The younger detective leans forward, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "We've done our homework, Ms. Nolan. We know about your history with Mrs. Brennan and Jayden Brennan. There's a lot of bad blood there, isn't there?" His tone is accusatory, as if he's already made up his mind about me.
I shake my head vehemently, tears streaming down my face and blurring my vision. "You don't understand. Ashlyn has been trying to ruin my life for years. She paid my father to come back and use those kids against me. She even said she didn't care if she miscarried Jayden's baby. She wanted to make it look like I did it." My voice rises, raw and pleading, hoping they'll see the truth in my eyes.
The detectives exchange a glance, their skepticism clear. "Ms. Nolan, we have a hard time believing that," the older one says, his tone dismissive. "You're telling us she intentionally fell down the stairs to frame you? That she'd risk the life of her own baby? That's a pretty far-fetched story."
"It's the truth!" I cry out, my desperation growing with each word. "You have to believe me. She's crazy." My chest tightens as I struggle to breathe, the fear of not being believed threatening to crush me.
The younger detective sighs and stands up, gathering his papers with a finality that makes my heart sink. We're going to have to hold you in custody until we can sort this out. Given the severity of the accusations and the witness statements, it doesn't look good for you." I watch in horror as they open the door and gesture for me to follow them. My legs feel like jelly as t stand, my mind racing with fear and confusion. They lead me down a long, dimly lit hallway to a holding
cell.
The clanging of the metal door behind me echoes in my ears, a sound that makes my stomach churn with dread
As I step inside, the stench of sweat and desperation hits me like a physical blow. The other female inmates eye me with a mixture of curiosity and hostility, I try to find a corner to retreat to, but there is no escape from their penetrating gazes. "Hey, ain't you that rich bitch from the news? one of them sneers, her voice dripping with malice.
I try to ignore her, focusing on keeping my breathing steady, but the tension in the room is thick, and I can feel their anger directed at me.
+25 BONUS
de Up
83 She Set Me Up
Another inmate steps closer, her eyes narrowed and lips curling in a sneer. "You think you're better than us, huh? Just 'cause you're on TV?"
"I don't want any trouble," I say quietly, my voice shaking and betraying my fear.
"Too late for that," she replies, her smile twisted with cruelty. "We're gonna make sure you get what you deserve. Your big dollars can't protect you here." She gets up in my face, her breath hot against my skin. Your pretty face is gonna get messed up in here. Lotta friends gonna like that pretty rich ass too."
She squeezes my backside, and I shudder, a wave of revulsion washing over me. "Don't touch me," I manage to say, my voice barely a whisper.
"You don't give the orders in here, rich bitch. You take what you're given." She yanks my head back hard by my hair. I wince in pain, tears stinging my eyes as she smiles with sadistic pleasure. "And you say thank you."
My heart pounds harder, fear gripping me as I brace for what's coming. Just as another inmate reaches out to grab me, the cell door swings open again. Tears roll down my face, my vision blurring with a mix of fear and relief. "Step back!" a commanding voice shouts.
A tall, imposing man dressed in a black designer suit steps into the cell, his presence dominating the small space. "This woman is to be moved to a solitary cell immediately. Given the high-profile nature of her case and the circumstances, she requires protection." The guards check his paperwork and quickly comply, their expressions indifferent, not offering any reassurance. The lawyer turns to me, his expression stern and focused. "Let's go, Ms. Nolan."
I follow him out, my body trembling with relief but also fear for what's to come. As we walk down another corridor, he glances at me briefly. "You need to stay strong. We'll get you out of here," he says, his voice firm but lacking the warmth I desperately need. We pass through more hallways, the cold concrete walls pressing in on me. My thoughts race back to Abby, my sweet, innocent Abby.
The fear that Ashlyn will somehow get to her gnaws at my insides. "What about my daughter? Ashlyn will get to her. She'll twist everything and make it look like I'm dangerous. Please, you have to help me," I plead, my voice cracking.