Trisha POV
The house felt too quiet.
Not peaceful quiet.
The kind of quiet that presses against your chest and refuses to let you breathe.
I was sitting at the edge of my bed, staring at nothing. The curtains were half drawn. The late afternoon light slipped into the room like it didn't want to disturb me.
Then I heard a soft knock.
Not the door downstairs.
My bedroom door.
"Come in," I said, though my voice barely came out.
The door opened slowly.
Marco stood there.
My son.
Suspended for a week because of everything that started with me.
He walked in quietly and closed the door behind him.
For a moment, he just stood there looking at me.
Then he asked the question I was dreading.
"Mom… are you going to leave me?"
My heart cracked.
"What?" I whispered.
"Are you going to prison?" His voice trembled. "Are the police going to take you away?"
I stood up immediately and walked to him, holding his shoulders.
"Marco… listen to me—"
"Why did you do it?" he asked, tears forming in his eyes. "Why did you bring Charles back into our lives? If he didn't come back, none of this would have happened."
His words weren't angry.
They were confused.
And that hurt more.
I cupped his face gently.
"Sit with me," I said softly.
We sat on the bed.
I took a deep breath.
"Let me tell you a story," I said quietly.
He sniffed but nodded.
"Once upon a time," I began gently, "there was a mother who made many mistakes. She thought she was strong. She thought she could control everything. She thought she knew what was best."
Marco listened carefully.
"That mother had a son. A precious son. And she loved him more than anything. But she was also afraid. Afraid that her business would fail. Afraid that her world would collapse."
I swallowed.
"So when she saw another child… a very capable child… someone smart and talented… she thought, 'If he works with us, he can help protect everything.'"
Marco frowned slightly. "You mean Charles."
I nodded.
"I didn't bring him back because I cared," I admitted quietly. "I brought him back because he was capable. Because he could help our business."
Marco looked down.
"But after Katherine…" my voice shook. "After her death… I realized something."
Tears filled my eyes.
"I failed Charles. I failed him as a mother once. And then I took away the one person he cared about the most."
Marco's breathing became uneven.
"I didn't plan to hurt anyone," I whispered. "I didn't wake up that morning wanting someone dead. It happened because of anger… fear… and stupidity."
"Will the police come?" Marco asked in a small voice.
"I… I don't know," I answered honestly.
He grabbed my hand tightly.
"If they come, I won't let them take you."
My heart broke completely.
"Oh, my baby…" I pulled him into my arms.
He buried his face in my chest.
"Nothing will happen," I whispered into his hair. "And if something does… you stay strong, okay? Don't change. Don't let anger make you into something you're not."
"I'll call Dad," Marco said quickly. "He'll fix it. He fixes everything."
I hugged him tighter.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
The maid opened the door slowly.
"Ma'am…" her voice trembled. "The police are here."
The world stopped.
Marco's fingers tightened around my shirt.
We walked downstairs together.
Two police officers stood near the entrance.
Cold.
Professional.
"Miss Trisha Reyes," one officer said clearly. "You are under arrest for the death of Miss Katherine Consalece."
The words echoed.
Arrest.
Death.
Handcuffs.
Marco stepped in front of me.
"No! You can't take her!"
"Yes, we can," the officer replied firmly.
"Who gave you permission?!" Marco shouted. "Did I allow you to take her away from me?! Huh?!"
The officer's face softened slightly. "Son, we have an arrest warrant. Please let us do our job."
"I said NO!" Marco screamed. "Didn't you hear me?! Are you tired of living?! No one is allowed to touch my mom!"
Another officer gently held Marco back.
"You're only ten," the first officer said calmly. "You won't understand. Your mother committed a crime."
The cold metal clicked around my wrists.
Handcuffs.
Marco's scream shattered the house.
"Stop! Please! Leave my mom! Please!"
I turned to the officer.
"Can I speak to him?" I asked.
"You have two minutes."
Marco rushed to me the moment he was released.
I knelt down despite the cuffs.
"Listen to me," I whispered urgently. "I will come back soon. Don't worry."
He pulled back slightly.
"You think I'm ten so you can lie to me?"
Tears ran down his face.
"I'll call Dad," he said quickly. "He'll solve this. You'll be free."
"Be strong," I whispered. "Stay my good boy. Don't let anger control you."
"Time's up," the officer said.
They pulled me away.
Marco was shouting into the phone, calling Jayden.
"Dad! Come now! They're taking Mom!"
As I was led outside, I looked back one last time.
My son stood in the doorway.
Crying.
And for the first time…
I truly understood the damage I had done.