Chapter 608

It was past ten at night.

Layla had been stuck in the police station for what felt like forever. Cops kept swapping out, but she was stuck under that blinding light the whole time. The bulb's glare made everything go white, messing with her vision. Being under that light for so long was driving her nuts.

Another shift change.

"She still hasn't signed the confession?"

"Nope, she's tough as nails. No matter what we throw at her, she won't budge."

The captain walked in, holding a box of food.

"You haven't eaten all day. You must be starving. Here, have some food," he said, also handing her a bottle of water.

Layla didn't want their food, but she had to think about the baby. She was starving, and if she didn't eat, she wouldn't have the strength to fight back. She needed to save her energy.

She reached out for the food box.

The captain yanked it back, "If you want to eat, you gotta sign first. Sign it, and you can eat."

Layla sneered. What a bunch of jerks.

"You're so young, why are you so stubborn? No matter what we do, you won't confess. Aren't you hungry? If you sign, you'll get food, and life will be a bit easier."

Layla looked at him, amused, "Do you think I'm stupid? If I sign, I'll be sent to prison."

"At least you'll go to prison with a full stomach, not starving. Isn't that better? Do you want to starve to death?"

"I told you, I didn't do it. I won't sign. I won't confess. Don't waste your breath." Layla turned her face away, determined.

The captain frowned and cursed, "You won't listen to reason, so you want me to use force? Sign it now! I don't have the patience to waste on you."

Layla ignored him, her face cold.

The captain roughly grabbed her hand, shoved a pen into it, and yelled, "Sign it! Sign it!"

"Let go of me." Layla struggled.

"Sign!"

The captain pressed her hand onto the paper. Layla resisted with all her might, but how could a pregnant woman's strength match a man's? She was running out of energy.

The pen tip touched the paper...

Suddenly, a phone vibrated, startling the captain.

"Captain, it's her phone."

Layla reached for it but was restrained.

"Who's Samuel?" The captain asked.

"Samuel Holland! He's my husband. If you don't let me go, you'll all be dead!" Layla said.

The captain swallowed hard. If what she said was true, he was doomed. But he was also being blackmailed by Nora, which was another quicker, more miserable dead end.

He was already at a dead end, no way back.

He steeled himself.

"Answer the phone and tell him you're fine. Or else..." The captain pulled out a knife and pointed it at her belly. "I'll make sure you and your baby both die."

Layla shivered. Nora, she was so vicious.

"Answer it." Holding the knife to her belly, the captain pressed the answer button with her free hand and brought the phone to her ear.

Layla swallowed hard.

"Hey, babe, are you making a cake again?" Samuel asked.

Hearing his gentle voice, Layla felt a surge of grievance and wanted to cry, to scream for help, to have him kill these bastards who were hurting her. But the blade was still against her belly; she couldn't afford to gamble.

She closed her eyes, "No, I'm sleeping."

"So early."

"Yeah, a bit tired."

"You must've worn yourself out making cakes again," Samuel chuckled. "Thinking about switching careers to become a pastry chef?"

Layla forced a bitter smile, 'Samuel, if only you knew I'm stuck in a police station right now, and our baby is being threatened with a knife. You'd be so mad. Save me, Samuel.'

Her throat tightened with emotion, wanting to cry but holding back, afraid he'd sense something was off.

"What's wrong? Why aren't you talking? Feeling unwell? Is the baby acting up? Or is it morning sickness again?" Samuel asked, sounding worried.

"No, I'm fine..." Layla bit her lip. "Just really tired today, need to sleep."

"Then rest up. Love you, goodnight."

"Goodnight."

The call ended, and Layla snapped back to reality, surrounded by cops and that blinding light making her miserable.

The captain knew about the beef between Nora and Samuel. If Layla was really Samuel's girl, Nora's targeting her made sense.

Thinking of this, the captain didn't dare act rashly but still threatened, "Stop being stubborn. Sign it and make it easier on yourself!"

Layla cried out in her heart, 'Samuel, come back soon, save me and the baby.'

Two days later, at the hospital.

Brenda was on edge, feeling like she was being roasted alive.

Nora came in with a thermos, "Mom, what are you looking at by the window?"

"Nothing." Brenda turned back, lost in thought.

"I brought some porridge from home. Drink it while it's hot." Nora smiled warmly, like nothing had happened.

But the calmer she was, the more anxious Brenda became.

Nora handed her the porridge, "Careful, it's hot."

Brenda, distracted, burned her lip.

"Didn't I remind you to be careful? What are you thinking about?" Nora handed her a tissue.

"Is she... still at the police station? Nora?"

Brenda asked twice before Nora coldly replied, "Yeah. Where else would she be?"

"The weather's so cold, and there's no heating there. Won't she get sick?"

"Wouldn't that be better? It'd be best if she got sick enough to lose the baby," Nora smiled coldly.

"Nora, I know you're mad at her, but this has to stop. You can't keep her locked up forever."

"The longer she's locked up, the happier I am."

"What if something really happens to her..."

Nora frowned, "Why are you so worried about her?"

"I told you, she's pregnant, so..."

"I don't think that's the only reason. You're really worried about her."

"I'm not, I'm worried about us. If something happens to her, Samuel will come after us. You know how ruthless Samuel can be. If we provoke him, the whole Eilish family will suffer."

"Enough, you've said this a million times. I don't want to hear it," Nora interrupted impatiently. "I put her in there. If something happens, I'll take responsibility. I won't drag you into it."

Brenda's voice was filled with disappointment as she said, "How can you say that? We're family."

"Family? Then why didn't you avenge me? Why did you watch me get bullied and tell me to endure it? Is that what family does?"

"I don't expect you to stand with me or do anything for me, but you keep nagging. Anthony stops me, you stop me. Do you know how annoying you are? I've made up my mind. Don't interfere, and you can't stop me. Don't mention her again. I know what I'm doing!" Nora added coldly.