IF NOT LOVE, WHATELSE?

CHAPTER~5

As Amy drove in silence, I felt the city’s cool breeze brushing through the window. Outside, the streets were alive and busy, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake off the feeling of being watched. Still, with Amy by my side, a small sense of safety returned to me.

We finally got to Amy’s apartment. It was small, but the street felt calm, so calm that I couldn’t help but think, “I think I’ll be safe here.”

Amy unlocked the door, and we stepped inside. I took in a deep breath as relief washed over me for the first time since I’d been released. The apartment was cozy, with little touches that made it feel like home. I loved it instantly.

Amy excused herself to the kitchen while I sat in her small living room, waiting. A few minutes later, she returned with a cup of steaming coffee.

“Here,” she said, handing it to me. “And welcome to my humble abode.”

A smile crept onto my face as I accepted it.

She studied me closely, her smile fading into concern. “Now, can you tell me everything that happened? You look so different, Camellia. I’m worried… and curious to know it all.”

I sighed deeply, my chest tightening. “Like I said earlier… it’s a long story.”

“And we’ve got the whole night to talk,” she cut me off, glaring just enough to make me smile weakly.

So, I began to tell her everything.

FLASHBACK

“Camellia, go check who’s at the door,” Mum had called.

I was in my room that fateful day when the knock came. Mum and Lucia were busy in the kitchen, and Dad was in his study. That left only me.

I slipped into my flip-flops and went to the door, not knowing my life was about to change forever. When I opened it, several stern-looking police officers stood there. My heart skipped. Just as I turned to call Dad, one of them spoke.

“Are you Camellia Smith?”

“Y-yes,” I stammered.

“And you know Eric Caddel?”

“Y-yes…”

Before I could ask more, Mum’s voice echoed from the kitchen. “Camellia, who’s there?”

“The cops,” I answered, turning back to the officers, confusion clouding me.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

The officer’s words hit like a dagger: “Eric Caddel was found dead in his apartment last night.” The air left me. My head spun. Not suicide, the officer said. “Murder.”

The world blurred. All I could hear ringing in my head was: Eric is dead. Eric is dead.

My family crowded the doorway…. Mum, Dad, Lucia… faces pale. Panic snapped through me, the kind that makes your knees go weak.

“Miss Camellia,” the officer said, and for a second the room was only his voice. “Your daughter is under arrest for the murder of Eric Caddel.”

“What?!” my whole family shouted in unison.

“What? No…” I felt the world tilt. “I didn’t kill anyone.” My hands shook. I couldn’t make the words sound true.

Lucia immediately lashed out, her voice sharp. “That’s impossible. They broke up a month ago. She hasn’t even seen him since!”

The cop ignored her. “Miss Smith, please come with us.” He stepped closer and reached for the cuffs.

“I won’t go with you! I had nothing to do with this… I haven’t spoken to Eric since we ended things!” I cried, clinging to Mum.

Dad’s voice cut through the chaos, low but piercing. “Why are you accusing my daughter of this? Just because Eric was her ex doesn’t mean she killed him.”

But then the officer dropped the blow: “Eric was found in a pool of blood. And the last call he made was to your daughter.”

Dad froze. His silence stabbed harder than any word.

“That’s a lie! He never called me!” I yelled in my defense. But they didn’t care. They dragged me away.

As I begged Dad to do something, he glared at me with disappointment so raw it burned.

“I warned you about that boy, but you never listened. You called it love. And now look where it’s landed you… you murderer”

His words shattered me.

Amy’s voice pulled me back to the present.

“What? You mean your dad actually said that to you?”

I nodded, forcing a bitter smile.

Before she could say anything else, a loud bang shook the door. Fear shot through me instantly, my coffee trembling in my grip.

"Who’s that at the door?” Amy whispered, her eyes darting to me.

Are they finally here for me?

Questions raced through my mind as she slowly walked toward the door.

“I’m coming…” she called out, her voice steady, but I could see her hand tremble as it reached for the knob.