You Broke Me First

Chapter 4 - Dragged

It was noon already. But Lara was still on the floor where Ray had left her,

What if this was something Ray had planned with his brother?—That one thought kept ringing in her head.

Just then the door flung open with a loud thud, making Lara jolt with shock,

Helen stormed in with about five armed policemen behind her,

Lara gazed around, eyes wide with disarray. What now?

She tried to stand to her feet but her legs still wouldn't work.

Her gaze shifted to the door when Ray walked in with his lawyer,

“What is going on?” She pushed the words out with a thudding heartbeat,

“You killed my son!” Helen roared,

Before Lara could grasp what she was talking about, The policemen had rushed to her side, dragging her up to her feet,

“Wait…” She gasped, begging for some time,

But no one listened to her.

They dragged her until she was right in front of Helen,

“You evil weakling! You cheated on my son and then pushed his innocent brother to his death!” Helen cursed out,

Lara blinked uncontrollably, “I don't know what you are—” She didn't even get to finish her sentence when a sharp, open-handed slap landed across her face,

The slap sent her head turning to the side, her ears ringing violently.

Her knees buckled, but the officers held her up.

Helen stood there. Her chest heaving and her hand still mid-air like she was about to give Lara another slap,

“Ray should have left you in the gutter where you came from! You ruined everything—You ruined my Family's name,” She spat fiercely,

Silence erupted in the room for a few seconds until one of the officers began to speak,

“We found your purse and car key in the victim's apartment…” He stretched the evidence to Lara's face,

“There is also a CCTV footage of you entering his apartment,” He went on immediately, not even giving her the chance to grasp the first part,

“You are under arrest for the murder of Colin Bentley. You have the right to remain silent or anything you say here will be used against you in the court of law,”

At that moment, Lara managed to gaze at Ray's face, begging for some sign that he didn't believe all these lies and madness going on.

But his gaze was blank and cold.

Lara looked away as tears began to pour out of her eyes. But no one cared,

Instead, Ray's lawyer stepped forward,

He grabbed her hand and forced her to sign the divorce papers. Then on something else she couldn't see.

“Take her away!” Ray's voice echoed in the air, his hands clenched in tight fists and his eyes avoiding hers.

Lara gasped the moment she felt the cold metal of the handcuffs closed around her wrists.

They dragged her out of the room and out of the house to where the police pickup truck was,

“Wait,” A voice called from behind just when the policemen were about to push Lara into the car,

“I need a minute with her,”

Lara knew who it was already from the sassy tone,

She slowly turned, her eyes resting on Irene, Ray's college sweetheart and Helen's favorite person.

Lara stood with nothing in her, waiting for Irene to say whatever she wanted,

But what she didn't expect was a stinging slap from her.

“Good girl,” Helen praised from a distance. While Ray said nothing. Did nothing. Just a muscle twitching in his jaw,

“I've been waiting for a long time. Seeing you like this is a dream come true. Don't worry, you are going to where you belong—behind bars, childless and alone,” Irene spat ruthlessly,

“Get in!” The police officer yelled, aggressively pushing Lara into the truck before she could even say anything,

As the police truck drove off with her in it, Lara watched as Irene hugged Helen. And even Ray.

To make it worse,

Ray had his arms casually draped over her shoulders as they stood there with no ounce of regrets on their faces—Just watching her get taken away for something she knew nothing about.

“Ray…” Lara whispered, her voice heavy with resentment,

***

“Suits her right,” Irene's tone dripped with malice, watching the truck drive out of sight,

Ray frowned, taking his arms off her shoulders that shouldn't even have been there in the first place,

“Don't say that,” He warned,

“Why shouldn't I?” Irene shot back,

“Don't tell me you are still standing up for a barren woman who cheated on you and even caused your brother's death?” She scowled,

“It's not your business,” Ray said tightly, his face darkening,

“She is your soon-to-be wife. So it is,” Helen joined in,

Ray shot a quick glance at her, “What?”

“I want her as my daughter in law…” Helen went on, “So, get married to her or lose your position in this family. Your choice,”

Ray scoffed with furrowed brows, “No way, Mom,” He swayed his head from side to side,

“I'm not getting married to someone that cheated on me with my professor in college,” Ray opposed with a strong tone,

“That was in the past. Irene is now a changed and good person,” Helen attested,

“This is the best you can do for your late brother. And you will not refuse. Final,” She added before walking off to her car,

Just as her driver held the car door open for her, she turned to Ray and said, “Get ready. Your brother's funeral is in an hour,”

“The press would also be there to take good photos of you two for the wedding announcement.” She concluded before stepping into the car,

“Oh…I'm so excited,” Irene jumped excitedly,

While Ray stood speechless and motionless.

***

Meanwhile, in the car, Helen placed her phone on her ear after dialing a private number,

“Yes, Madam?” A Man's voice echoed from the end of the line,

“Take her to Gary. He knows what to do,”