THE GOVERNOR'S KEPT WOMAN (ENGLISH)

Chapter Two

"Dad!"

The moment I stepped into the visitation room, I threw my arms around him.

Attorney Gaille had picked me up that morning and brought me to the detention facility where my father was being held.

"Inda..."

He hugged me just as tightly.

I could feel how much he'd missed me. Yet despite everything, he still managed to smile.

"Gaille," my father complained, glancing at his lawyer, "Why did you tell Inda so soon? We could've handled this ourselves."

"Aio, I already told you," Attorney Gaille replied patiently. "Our opponent is powerful—"

"No matter how powerful they are, I'll still prove my innocence. I didn't do this. You shouldn't have told Lucinda. All you've done is make her worry."

"Dad," I interrupted, refusing to let go of him, "Attorney Gaille did the right thing. How could I keep enjoying myself in the city while you're here facing something like this? That wouldn't be right."

The words caught in my throat.

I couldn't stop crying.

Seeing my father behind bars broke my heart.

"Lucinda, don't cry." He gently rubbed my back, trying to comfort me despite being the one imprisoned. "I'll get out of here."

My chest ached.

It felt unbearably heavy.

"Dad..." I looked into his eyes. "Be honest with me."

He met my gaze without hesitation.

"Did you do it?"

He slowly shook his head before guiding me to the chair beside him.

"I didn't do anything wrong. Please believe me, Lucinda. I'm innocent. I was set up."

His voice remained calm, but I could hear the desperation beneath it.

"I just happened to be there. I touched the victim because I thought he was still alive... that maybe I could save him."

I closed my eyes for a moment.

"Then why did you touch him, Dad?" I asked through my tears. "Why did you pick up the knife?"

"I panicked, sweetheart." He lowered his head in frustration. "I thought there was still a chance I could save him."

He took a shaky breath before continuing.

"When Governor Andreras's men arrived, they found me beside the body... holding the knife."

His eyes searched mine, pleading for my trust.

"As for those two witnesses..." His jaw tightened. "I'm certain their statements were fabricated. They lied. I'm not a murderer, Lucinda."

His voice cracked.

"Please... believe your father."

His pain was written all over his face.

"I do, Dad."

Without hesitation, I took his hand and held it tightly.

"I believe you."

"I know you could never do something like that."

"I'll find a way to get you out of here. If I have to speak to those witnesses—or even to the victim's family—I will."

Determination filled my voice as I made my promise.

"No." My father immediately shook his head. "That's too dangerous."

He glanced at Attorney Gaille before looking back at me.

"Leave everything to Attorney Gaille. As for you, I'd rather you go back to the city. Go home, sweetheart. Once this is all over, I'll come back to you."

I shook my head.

There was no way I was leaving him to face this alone.

He was innocent.

And I would fight for his freedom.

"No, Dad. I'm staying here. I'll stand beside you through all of this."

All my life, my father had carried every responsibility on his own, especially after my mother died. Now that he was the one who needed someone, there was no chance I'd abandon him.

"My daughter," he said softly, "I've always wanted to give you a life far away from all this."

His eyes wandered around the bleak visitation room before returning to mine.

"This battle is dangerous. That's why I want you back in the city. I don't want you getting dragged into it. Attorney Gaille and I can handle this. We'll prove my innocence."

But my mind was already made up.

I slowly shook my head.

"I'm staying."

I met his gaze without wavering.

"You can't make me leave you here. Before, I always chose to run away instead of facing my problems. But not this time."

I took a deep breath.

"I'm staying, Dad. I'll help you. I'm not leaving you. You can count on that."

"It's dangerous!" he snapped.

His eyes flashed with anger before softening the moment he looked at me.

"I don't care." My voice never wavered. "You don't deserve to spend another day in prison for a crime you didn't commit. I'll fight for you, Dad."

Without another word, he pulled me into a tight embrace.

Neither of us could stop crying.

He didn't want to let go, but our visiting time had come to an end, and we were forced to say goodbye.

Walking away from him felt like tearing my own heart apart.

There was nothing I could do for him—not yet.

But no matter how difficult this became...

I'd endure it.

For my father.

As Attorney Gaille and I walked out of the detention facility, he gently supported me by the arm.

"Miss Lucinda," he said, "I'll arrange for additional bodyguards to ensure your safety. While your father remains in custody, I'll temporarily oversee your family's businesses, just as he instructed."

He paused before continuing.

"And whatever you do, don't try to approach the victim's family or those witnesses. Leave that to us."

I nodded, but another thought crossed my mind.

"Attorney..." I hesitated. "Do you have a way to contact Governor Colton Andreras?"

We both stopped walking.

"I want to speak with him."

"Hija, it's better if you don't approach him just yet," Attorney Gaille said. "I'll give you the information you need, but for now, don't go anywhere near him. They might retaliate out of anger and put you in danger. That's exactly what we need to avoid, because it would only make things harder for your father in prison. You're the only person he's worried about, so you have to be careful at all times."

"Yes, Attorney. Thank you so much." I forced a smile.

But that smile vanished the moment several eggs came flying toward us.

One after another, they struck Attorney Gaille and me.

I froze.

Fear gripped me.

The elderly lawyer immediately wrapped his arms around me, shielding me with his body.

"Murderers!" a woman dressed in black screamed furiously.

The police officers stationed outside the precinct rushed over to protect us.

I wanted to say something, but Attorney Gaille quickly pulled me toward the car.

The woman in black collapsed onto the pavement.

When she looked at me, her eyes were filled with hatred.

"Your father is a murderer!" she cried through her tears. "He's a monster! A monster!"

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face.

Dad wasn't a monster.

He was the kindest man I'd ever known.

He didn't deserve to be accused of a crime he never committed.

"He killed my husband!" the woman wailed. "He took my children's father away from them. Your father is evil! He's a murderer!"

Even after the car pulled away, I could still hear her heartbreaking cries.

Why did my father have to end up in this situation?

He didn't deserve to be blamed for something he hadn't done.

It felt as though my heart was being torn apart as we drove farther away.

Attorney Gaille didn't interrupt me while I cried.

Top remained silent behind the wheel, giving me the space I needed.

"Attorney," I asked between sobs, "What things can we bring Dad? Can we bring him a foam mattress so he'll have something comfortable to sleep on? Maybe a comforter, too—"

"Hija, you don't need to worry about those things," he replied gently. "Go home and rest. I'll take care of everything related to your father's case. Don't leave the mansion for now. What happened today could happen again. It's not only Dominador's family who hates your father. Governor Colton's friends and supporters feel the same way. You need to stay out of sight for now."

He sighed.

"The evidence against your father is overwhelming. The media is following the case closely as well. Your father would never want your face and name dragged into the headlines."

"Do everything you can, Attorney," I pleaded. "I don't care how much it costs."

"Trust me, hija."

The elderly lawyer gave me a reassuring nod before taking me home.

By the time we arrived at the mansion, I felt like a candle burning down to its last wick.

If Top hadn't helped me, I wouldn't even have made it through the front door.

"Top..." I whispered, tears falling once again. "Did you see Dad? He's suffering there. What if some of the officers were Governor Colton's men? Or what if they're close to him? What if they make Dad's life even harder?"

"Miss," Top answered calmly, "have faith in Attorney Gaille. He's your father's closest friend. He won't abandon Sir Aio."

"But all the evidence points to Dad," I cried. "Even if he's innocent, everything points to him because he touched the knife. He was at the crime scene. Even those two witnesses testified against him."

"Sir Aio is strong enough to get through this, Miss. He'll overcome it. What did he tell you?"

"He wanted me to go back to the city and stay out of his case. But I can't do that, Top. He's suffering in prison."

"Maybe... you should listen to him."

"No." I looked him straight in the eye. "How could I? If I left now, I'd be abandoning him. I'm all Dad has left. I'm the only one who can fight to prove his innocence."

Top let out a long sigh before nodding.

"I understand. But you have to promise me something."

I wiped away my tears and faced him.

He had always been one of my father's most loyal men.

A man willing to risk his own life to protect me.

"What is it?"

"You have to tell me everything you plan to do. Where you're going. Who you're meeting. If you're honest with me, I'll be able to do my job as your bodyguard. Can you promise me that, Miss Lucinda?"

"I... I promise. I'll tell you all my plans—everywhere I go—so you can protect me properly. Just keep me safe, Top... so I can get my father out of prison."

Top nodded repeatedly before extending his hand.

I took it without hesitation.

We shook hands.

"Go upstairs and rest for now," he said. "I'll ask the maids to prepare something for you to eat. We'll knock once everything's ready."

I gave him a weak nod.

Without another word, I slowly climbed the stairs to my room.

The moment I entered, I peeled off my clothes one piece at a time.

Egg stains still clung to the fabric.

I headed straight into the bathroom and took a quick shower.

After washing everything off, I walked into my walk-in closet and changed into comfortable clothes.

As soon as I stepped back into my bedroom, my phone started ringing.

I hurried over and picked it up.

It was Yana.

One of my friends from the city.

"Oh, thank God you finally answered!" she exclaimed. "Where are you, sis?"

"I'm in the province."

"The province? Without even telling us?"

"There was an emergency, Yana. Just let Maureen and Essica know."

"Are you ordering me around?" she snapped.

"Not really. But if you want to do it... go ahead."

I raised an eyebrow.

I wasn't in the mood to pretend everything was fine.

With everything happening to my father, I had no energy left to deal with someone as difficult as Yana.

"Tsk. You left the party so suddenly," she complained. "I told you I was going to introduce you to my new friend. He likes you."

I remembered.

She'd mentioned him while we were partying.

"I have already told you, Yana. I don't like your friend. I didn't want to give him false hope, so I left."

"You're so rude, girl! I was only introducing you. Come back to the city. I'll set up a date for you two."

"No. I don't like him."

"But why? He's so handsome! You'd look perfect together."

"I just don't like him. Period."

If Yana had an attitude...

Mine was worse.

"You obviously like him," I shot back. "Then you date him yourself. I have enough problems already, Yana. Don't add yourself to the list."

"Wow. I'm your friend—not your problem. Why are you being so rude?"

"Let's end this f*****g call."

"I don't have time for this."

I ended the call without another word.

A second later, my phone rang again.

Essica.

"What?" I answered flatly.

"I'm with Yana," she said. "We heard everything. You're so rude, girl. We've always been nice to you. We even let you into our circle even though you're just some province girl who doesn't know how to fit in. You're such an annoying b***h. A poor nobody clinging to rich people like us."

Honestly...

I still didn't know why I'd ever become part of their circle.

The only thing we had in common was our love for partying.

That was it.

I could tolerate their personalities.

But at the moment they didn't like my attitude...

Suddenly, I became the villain.

I didn't give a f**k.