Chapter 121

Evelyn's eyes flew open wide. Her hands shook violently as she checked for Sophia's breath and pulse.

Nothing.

Sophia's body had turned cold, already stiffening with rigor mortis.

Evelyn's mind went blank. Panic clawed at her throat as she teetered on the edge of a breakdown. She had no memory of what happened after blacking out.

How did the knife end up in her hand?

As she struggled to stand, police sirens wailed in the distance. The sight of officers approaching sent ice through her veins.

Not again.

The detention center's familiar walls closed around her. The evidence was damning - her fingerprints coated the murder weapon, traces of Sophia's skin beneath her nails.

"I didn't do this!" Evelyn's voice cracked. "I'm being framed!"

The detectives exchanged skeptical glances. "Victoria Lancaster," one sighed, sliding confession papers across the table. "All evidence points to you. Just sign."

Evelyn's fists clenched. "I won't confess to a crime I didn't commit!"

When they returned her to the holding cell, despair threatened to consume her. Maybe she should have died in prison three years ago. At least then this nightmare would be over.

Just as she closed her eyes, footsteps approached. Someone demanded to see her.

Her stomach twisted with unease. This felt different from facing Alexander. More ominous.

The door creaked open to reveal Eleanor and William Kingsley. Understanding dawned - that foreboding had been premonition.

Eleanor's face contorted with rage when she saw Evelyn in handcuffs. "Murderer!" she shrieked, lunging forward.

Evelyn barely dodged the slap. The physical pain paled compared to the agony of seeing her birth parents' hatred.

She bit her lip until copper flooded her mouth, fighting back tears. If she cried now, she wouldn't be able to memorize their faces one last time.

"You monster!" Eleanor sobbed. "How could you kill my Sophia? Give me back my daughter!"

"Eleanor, please," William cautioned, gripping his wife's shoulders. "Your stitches-"

"How can I calm down?" Eleanor wailed. "That was our Sophia! Our daughter for twenty years! And this witch took her from us!"

Evelyn's heart shattered as Eleanor collapsed against William, her anguished cries echoing off the concrete walls. No words could bridge this chasm of grief and accusation. The daughter they'd chosen over her was gone - and they believed Evelyn had stolen her.