Chapter 604

Layla was totally floored, just standing there like a deer in headlights. Her brain was on overdrive, replaying the nurse's words, "Brenda is my biological mom? No freakin' way!"

Yeah, Anthony had mentioned Brenda was a stepmom, but her real mom? If that was true, why was Brenda such a witch to her? Did the nurse screw up? But the blood test report was legit.

Layla's mind was a total mess.

"How's my mom?" Nora came barreling over, looking like a hot mess.

Layla was still spaced out.

"Answer me! How's my mom?" Nora shoved her hard, making Layla stumble back a couple of steps, staring into Nora's wild, bloodshot eyes.

"Massive bleeding, she's in surgery."

"You-Layla, you pushed my mom into the street, didn't you? You're heartless. Even if we hate each other, you shouldn't go after my mom. This is murder!" Nora screamed like a banshee.

"I didn't push her. A car almost hit me, and she saved me..."

"Are you saying my mom took the hit for you? That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Why would my mom risk her life for you?"

Layla's lips moved, but she knew Nora wouldn't buy it. Heck, even she found it hard to believe. Unless Brenda really was her mom and knew it all along, which is why she jumped in to save her.

What the heck is going on?

"Murderer, I'm getting you locked up!" Nora accused.

"I didn't kill her. I'm telling the truth," Layla pleaded.

"I don't buy your crap." Nora sneered and called the security guards to haul Layla away.

"Let go of me! Nora! You're just using this to screw me over."

"So what if I am? I've got a good reason. Even if Samuel were here, he'd have to answer to me, and he's not even around. Take her away!"

"Yes, Miss Eilish."

"Let go of me, let go..."

That night, Layla found herself in the police station's interrogation room, a cold, creepy place.

She had no clue how much time had passed.

The door creaked open, and in walked Nora, rocking a flashy red dress.

Layla jumped up, all jittery, "How is she?"

"Scared you'll rot in jail for killing my mom?" Nora sneered.

"Just tell me, is she okay?"

"My mom's tough; someone like you can't take her down."

Layla let out a huge sigh of relief. Thank God, Brenda was okay; she'd been freaking out.

"Let me out. I didn't push her."

"You say you didn't, so you didn't? My mom's in the hospital. Can you deny that?"

"There are cameras at the scene."

"They're gone."

Gone? Layla frowned, "Nora, did you set me up?"

"The facts are clear. You shoved my mom into the street; that's murder."

"If it's so clear, why didn't you check the cameras and instead got rid of them?"

Nora crossed her arms, ice-cold, "Because you deserve to rot!"

"Samuel's coming back soon. He won't let you get away with this."

"Don't try to scare me with him. Even if he comes back, that's a week away. I'll enjoy keeping you locked up for even a day," Nora smirked. She'd been waiting for this moment forever.

But it wasn't enough, not by a long shot. Unless Layla spent her life behind bars, dying there, Nora wouldn't be satisfied.

"Ever think that if you lock me up for a day, Samuel will lock you up for a year?"

"In this case, he's in the wrong. You tried to kill my mom, and I rightfully got you locked up. If something happens to you in here and you lose the baby, that's on you."

"Don't you dare touch my baby," Layla immediately shielded her belly.

"Layla, don't you get it? You're at my mercy now. I can end you anytime."

Layla realized just how screwed she was. Going head-to-head with Nora would only make things worse.

She stopped arguing and sat down.

"Scared now? Layla, weren't you always so high and mighty? Keep that attitude up, why don't you?" Nora's eyes sparkled with a twisted excitement. "People like you, from the gutter, don't belong in our world. You're just a filthy rat."

Layla stayed quiet. People aren't born noble or lowly, but hearts can be good or evil. Nora was pure evil and would get what's coming to her. Layla had to protect herself and wait for Samuel to rescue her.

"Speak!" Nora demanded.

"I've got nothing to say to someone like you," Layla closed her eyes.

"Think staying quiet will help? Even if I don't touch you, seven days without food will starve you and your bastard kid."

Nora was hell-bent on making her suffer.

"Seven days?" Layla smirked, "Samuel calls me every day. If I don't pick up, he'll know something's up and send someone right away. You can't keep me here for a day."

"Then leave something behind." Nora said, suddenly pulling out a knife.

Layla stepped back, covering her belly, "Don't do anything stupid."

"Scared now? Weren't you tough? Afraid 'cause you're pregnant?"

Layla was definitely worried. With that knife in Nora's hand, any fight could hurt the baby.

"Put the knife down."

"Why should I? Layla, if I mess up your face, will Samuel still love you?" Nora's eyes burned with hatred as she lunged at Layla's face with the knife.

Just as Layla was about to dodge.

"Stop!" Anthony burst in, snatching the knife from Nora's hand.

Layla let out a breath of relief. Thank God he showed up in time. The baby was her everything; she couldn't risk it.

"What the hell are you doing? How can you use a knife on someone?" Anthony was in shock.

"She pushed mom into the street, almost killed her. I want payback."

"I didn't. I swear it's not like that..." Layla shouted, desperate.

Anthony stood in front of her, "I believe Layla."

"Anthony, you're under her spell. Mom's in the hospital, barely hanging on, and you're still defending her? The evidence is clear. If she didn't push mom, did mom throw herself in front of the car?"

"No matter what, I believe Layla. And you can't just go around hurting people."

"Why can't I!" Nora screamed, losing it, "She stole the man I love most, ruined me, I want her dead!"

"It's not Layla's fault. Samuel never loved you."

"But if this bitch hadn't shown up, even if he didn't love me, he would've married me. I should be Mrs. Holland," Nora roared.