Chapter 5
Helen felt Carter’s hand stiffen.
“What did you say?” His voice grew icy.
Freya sobbed uncontrollably. “I just wanted to make some extra money for clothes! Now, the law enforcement is coming to arrest me.”
Carter’s forehead was bulging with veins. “I give you all my allowance, but you still do this!”
“I…” She clutched his sleeve and stomped her foot. “What am I supposed to do? I’m pregnant. I can’t go to jail!”
The gate suddenly slammed open.
Three men wearing officer suits stormed in. “Ms. Lindsey, you’ve been accused of illegally trading city return permits for educated youth. Please come with us.”
The scene fell into complete silence.
Carter didn’t speak for a long time. Then, he finally said, “She’s not responsible.”
Everyone turned to look at him.
After a brief pause, he added, “I know what happened. It wasn’t Freya…. It was Helen.”
Time seemed to stand still.
Chapter 5
Helen’s voice was unsteady. “W–what did you just say? Who are you blaming?”
He couldn’t meet her eyes. He swallowed and repeated. “It was Helen.”
Helen’s hands shook as she was about to defend herself, but the officers had already grabbed her. “There’s a witness who confirmed it. Please come with us.
As she was forced into the truck, Helen looked straight at Carter.
He stood beside Freya, his uniform spotless, looking nothing like the man who had once shielded her with his body during the earthquake.
******
In the small, dark room, no one listened to what Helen said.
“How could it be false? Mr. Hoffman named you!” The officer slammed a pen on the table. “Admit it!”
After three days with no food or water, she was sent to a coal mine for punishment.
The air was damp and cold. With a heavy basket on her back, each step felt like she was walking on knives.
Suddenly, a loud rumble echoed through the tunnel.
“Cave–in! Get out!”
Before Helen could react, her legs were trapped under the falling coal.
Through the agony, she heard someone shouting her name in panic.
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“Helen! Hang in there!”
Was she imagining it? The man who had once left her behind was now clawing at the coal with his bare hands like a madman. His fingers were covered in blood.
“I’m sorry…”
As Carter lifted her out, his voice shook. He kept calling her name.
“Freya is pregnant. I couldn’t let anything happen to her. That’s why I J blamed you. Helen. I didn’t know what else to do. It hurts me even
more seeing you like this. Once the baby’s here, I’ll bring you home. Please wake up. I can’t go on without you…
Helen felt like laughing.
He was always like that–hurting her first, then pretending to care.
The last thing she remembered before passing out was his warm tears falling on her cheeks.
When she opened her eyes, everything was quiet.
Carter had fallen asleep beside her, his jaw rough with stubble.
As soon as Helen moved, he snapped awake. “Helen!”
He hugged her and kissed her hard, his eyes red. “You’re finally awake-”
“Caleb!” Helen shoved him away with all the strength she had. “What are you doing?”
