Rejected Wife Of The President

Arrested For Murder

POV: Valerie

I was taken in by the police for questioning, a nightmare that I never imagined I would experience. They claimed I killed Basil, my sister’s husband, but it felt like a cruel joke, a frame-up designed to trap me in a web of lies. I could hardly wrap my mind around the accusations. The detective's words slashed like razor blades, each syllable dripped with disdain. "Your jealousy has caused you to murder a respectable son of the town. Do you know what you have done?"

Tears stung my eyes. "No! I didn’t do it!" The words fell out in a desperate gasp. I was drowning under the weight of their allegations, a hatred I knew I didn’t possess boiling over in this room full of authority and false judgment. "You don’t understand... I was framed for this, I didn’t kill him." I sobbed.

"The evidence is compelling!" the lead officer barked, his voice filled with rage. They had photos, fingerprints, everything pointed to me. The weight of it crushed my chest. I was hyperventilating, a sense of helplessness clawing at me.

"Your sister is a witness against you! She claims you did it because of your petty jealousy!" The mention of my sister, Sarah, made my stomach twist. I couldn’t help but remember the days of us laughing as children, running wild and free. The oligarch of our family, she had always demanded more than the universe could provide. And, foolishly, I had always stood back, letting her take the center stage of our lives, never thinking she would turn against me in this brutal way. But now, apparently, our shared history meant nothing to her.

"It’s all a setup," I pleaded, my eyes darting between the officers as they bombarded me with questions. "You have to believe me! I can’t hurt anyone, not even a fly. One time, I saved an injured squirrel from crossing the street, I helped an animal crossing the busy road because that’s what I do. I help people, not hurt or kill them!" I explained.

"These sob stories won’t help you," he interrupted, his face hardening, aiming to scare me to admit to the accusations.

"Your sister says you let a little girly fight push you over the edge. Why did you do it?" He yells at me. I wanted to scream. To tell them how ludicrous that was. Did they not see the real monster lurking behind my sister's refined facade?

"I didn’t hurt him!

I loved Basil like family!" I explained. But my voice fell on deaf ears. Their anger crushed me until they threw me in a cell, leaving me alone on the cold, hard floor to cry. My sobs echoed off the sterile walls, loneliness consuming me as I mourned the life that felt unreachable. And a child within me wept in silent agony.

That night, I found solace in a dream. I saw Basil, standing before me, eyes clouded with betrayal. He looked down on me, and all I could feel was the weight of his disappointment. "Why didn't you stop her? Why are you letting her destroy all our lives?"

"I don’t know how, Basil," I sobbed. "I don't know what I'm going to do." Anguish gripped my heart as I thought of the mess Sarah had created, how manipulative she had become. It occurred to me then, the reality behind her front. She had hurt him with a greed I failed to understand.

"You let her hurt me," Basil said, his voice emotionally churning. "Will you let my brother suffer the same fate? Do you not feel anything for Travis?"

Travis. The very name sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn’t allow Sarah to use him as a pawn in her sick game. She would steal him right out from under me, just like everything else. But I felt powerless, standing there as he disappeared into the shadows of my mind.

When morning came, Justin visited me, an unexpected face I loathed with all my being. He was my ex, the kind of devil that trampled on souls. I realized he was toying with me, relishing my despair. "I told you I would make you pay for rejecting me, didn’t I?" he sneered, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed.

"Justin, please. You planted those drugs in my bag to frame me!" My voice cracked, the tears returning as desperation overtook me. "Tell the cops what you did! I didn’t kill Basil! It was Sarah!”

He laughed, a ruthless sound that pierced me right where it hurt. "Oh, I’m not helping you, even if it’s life or death for you!"

My heart sank further as he laid out the cruel truth. Sarah had played the perfect game, deceiving everyone just to ensure she could win Travis again. "She gave him everything Basil left behind just to prove she’s not after his money," he said, resentment dripping from his words. "She’s smarter, prettier, he’ll be happier with her. Besides, she lets me have her whenever I want." He admitted proudly before exiting the visitors room. As he walked out, my mind spiraled. I couldn't let him get away with this, neither him nor Sarah deserves to walk freely while I suffer in here.

"He’s an accomplice! He’s working with her to put me here!" I cried out to the female officer, hoping some thread of understanding would penetrate the cold armor she wore. She just shrugged it off, acting as though she didn’t hear everything he just said to me.

"It’s for the judge to decide. You can’t just make claims without evidence." She told me dismissively. I cried... And cried. I cried endlessly as I contemplated my future and the child growing inside me. The cops didn’t even read my rights or grant me a lawyer. I was completely trapped in this web of violence that didn’t even feel real.

Then Sarah came. No warning, just the sound of her heels clicking against the cold floor. I promised myself I wouldn’t cry in front of her. I wouldn’t let her see how much her betrayal affected me.

"How could you do this to me, Sarah?" I glared, fury bubbling beneath my facade. "We are sisters! I loved you!" I told her sadly. She shrugged, a casualness that made my heart race.

"I asked you nicely to leave Travis, but you were too stubborn." She lets out sternly. I was shocked by her casual cruelty.

"You think you can just take him from me?" I asked.

"Of course, I do. You had a chance to fix things, but you didn’t," she snickered, her confidence drenching the small, sterile room in arrogance.

“I asked you nicely to leave Travis, but you were determined to stick to him like a glue. so , you had to go," she told me, shrugging her shoulders as if it was a logical explanation she just gave. I gasped at her confidence, and I wondered if our parents knew what she is capable of.

"Oh, come on, Val. Don't give me that pathetic look!

You were living the life I'd always wanted. Basil is not as handsome and rich as Travis. Yes, I know I chose Basil many years ago because Travis had nothing to his name. but Basil lost his fortune in the Casino and Travis is now a billionaire. I had to think fast and save what is left of Basil's wealth for myself. and I need a man that can pay for all my vacation and designers brands when Basil's money runs out. You have to understand that I had to do what I did to preserve my beauty and reputation," she explained, sounding so evil. I moved to grab her and hurt her, but she moved away, keep a safe distance from me. I could reach her because of the cuff's, I could only glare at her furiously.

"You are despicable and greedy Sarah!" I let out furiously.

"Yes, I know I’m mean and bad, and cute. He was never going to come back to me because of you, I had to take back what was mine. He represents everything I desire in a man. Wealth, status, just what I deserve." She said. Her words churned in my stomach, bile rising as she continued.

"It’s not personal, Val, to it’s just smart. I have to maintain my beauty, my reputation. And what good is a husband with no money? It's all about survival.” She confessed. Every laugh echoed in my ears like taunts. I resented how she could stand there, fully revelling in her own selfish motivations.

"You’re despicable!" I shouted, fighting the cuffs binding me and making it impossible to reach out to grab her. Her smile widened, relishing my pain.

"I’m here to offer you a deal.” Her words dripped with malice. “Travis doesn’t want to see you again. Sign this confession.” She slid a document across the table. “This document states you killed Basil out of jealousy for me. Sign it, and this whole thing goes away.” She told me. I swallowed hard, thinking.

"You think I’d admit to something I didn’t do?" I asked in disbelief.

"Yes, you will, my love. You’ll sign it!

You think you can find evidence that links me to this? I left no trace behind. Anything you find will only point to you. Do you really want me to make your life hell?" She smirks. The sheer audacity stole the air from my lungs.

“You think I’ll sign this?

You did it, Sarah! You killed him!” I pushed the papers back towards her, conviction rising in my chest. She caught them effortlessly and tossed them back at me, her demeanour darkening.

"You’re thinking too small. Sign it now or rot in jail for the rest of your life. This document simply states your confession to killing Basil out of Jealousy and spite for me. Sign this, and the family would take the case out of court and punish you for your crimes as we see fit. you will be divorced and banished and you won't get to live the rest of your life in jail." she lets out sternly, her fierce gaze glaring at me.

"You see, I'm not as my mean as you think. I'm granting you your freedom because I'm nice," she told me excitedly.

"You must be crazy if you think I will sign this contract and admit to something I didn't do, Sarah. You did it, you killed your husband and you will pay for it!" I told her.

"You must be thinking that you could find an evidence that proves that I'm responsible for this crime and not you." she asks, scoffing at the thought.

"I suggest you get that thought out of your head and sign the damn document because this is the only deal you will get. I did the job perfectly, I left no evidence that links me to any of this. any evidence you find would only point to you and make it harder for you. Sign this document right now, or I'll make you love out the rest of your life in jail!" she told me fiercely. I met her gaze, a battle of wills played out silently between us. Deep down, I knew she would do whatever it took to ensure I became a scapegoat for her sins. I felt torn, my heart beating in anguish as I realized the depths of her betrayal and hatred.