MY WOMB FOR HIS HEIR

INTERROGATION.

A beam of light fell across Scarlett Thompson's face. She sat opposite the inspector in the interrogation room, dressed in the clothes someone had brought for her. Her earlier bloodstained outfit was gone, but the night was still written all over her face. Even if it's already morning.

The inspector glanced at the papers in front of him. “Miss Scarlett Thompson, did you or did you not hit Mrs. Blackthorn and her unborn child?”

Scarlett frowned. “I didn't even know who they were until last night. I wasn't the one who hit them. I was just caught in the accident. I'm a victim, too.”

The inspector nodded slowly, as though considering her answer. “Then why didn't you call the emergency services immediately? Why take matters into your own hands? What were you trying to hide?”

Scarlett's frown deepened. “I wasn't trying to hide anything! It would have taken time for an ambulance to arrive, and I'm a doctor. I had the equipment I needed to help her. I thought I could save her life.”

“And yet, your car was damaged. You insist that you were a victim, but you weren't seriously injured. There was no other person at the scene to corroborate your story. How do you explain that?”

Scarlett squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them again, frustration had begun to overshadow her fear. “I don't know, okay? I've explained this countless times! I was on my way to work when a trailer hit the Mercedes-Benz. The impact sent it crashing into my car. That's what happened!” Her voice rose. “The trailer driver ran away before I could do anything. I couldn't stop him, so I tried to save the woman instead.”

She stared at the inspector, searching his face for some sign that he believed her. “Was I wrong to help someone?”

“No,” he replied. “You're not wrong for helping someone. But that's also what someone who caused an accident might do to avoid suspicion.”

Scarlett's lips parted. “But I didn't hit her. I swear, I didn't!”

The inspector sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Miss Thompson, it would be better for you to admit what happened. If you acknowledge that you hit her accidentally, it may help your case. But if you continue denying it, we'll have to proceed based on the evidence we have.”

Scarlett stared at him. “Admit to something I didn't do? No. I won't take the blame for something I had nothing to do with.”

The inspector studied her for a moment before closing the file in front of him.

“Very well. The interrogation is over for now. You may go outside and see your loved ones, but you'll still have to face the court. Your trial will be coming up soon.”

He stood.

Scarlett rose from her chair and followed him out. The moment she stepped into the corridor, a young woman, almost a younger version of her rushed towards her.

“Scarlett!” Gigi flung her arms around her, and Scarlett immediately hugged her back.

For the first time that night, Scarlett felt she could finally let her guard down. “Gigi…”

“I heard what happened.” Gigi pulled away just enough to look at her face. “Scarlett, what happened? They said you killed somebody.”

Scarlett shook her head. “I didn't kill anybody, okay? It was a misunderstanding. They'll investigate properly, and they'll realise what really happened.”

Gigi let out a shaky breath. “Oh, my God. Maybe it's all just a mistake.”

She tried to sound reassuring, but Scarlett could hear the uncertainty in her voice. Then Gigi's gaze wandered down the corridor. Her expression changed.

“Scarlett…” She lowered her voice. “Is that man related to the woman you hit?”

Scarlett's face tightened.

“For the hundredth time, I didn't hit her!”

“Okay, okay!” Gigi raised her hands. “I'm just asking. Is he?”

Scarlett followed her gaze. Mr. Blackthorne stood a short distance away, speaking to two police officers.

“Yes,” she muttered. “He's her husband.”

Gigi's eyes widened. “Her husband? You mean, you hit Mrs. Blackthorne?”

Scarlett gave her an exasperated look.

“Keep your voice down!”

“But, Scarlett—”

“What is the big deal? I don't even know who these people are!”

Gigi stared at her as though she had just announced that she had set the entire city on fire. “Scarlett, that's Mr. Blackthorne!”

Scarlett looked at her blankly. “So?”

“So?” Gigi repeated, lowering her voice even further. “Oh, my God. Do you have any idea who that man is? He could ruin you in a blink of an eye! He could even sue our whole family if he decides to!”

Scarlett's gaze drifted back to Mr. Blackthorne. He stood with his shoulders squared, listening to the officers. Even from where she stood, there was something about the way he carried himself that made it difficult to imagine him accepting a refusal.

Scarlett turned back to Gigi. “But I didn't do it. I was trying to help his wife. You have to believe me.”

Gigi's expression softened.

“I believe you.” Scarlett released a breath she hadn't realised she was holding. “But that doesn't change anything,” Gigi continued. “This man's influence could destroy our entire family. Don't you understand how serious this is?”

Scarlett fell silent. She looked at Mr. Blackthorne again, watching him speak to the officers as though the entire night had done nothing to diminish his authority. Who exactly was this man?

Before she could ask, an officer approached them. “Scarlett Thompson?”

She turned.

“Your arraignment is here.”

Scarlett froze. For a moment, she could only stare at him. Her arraignment? Already?