Chapter 114: To tear us apart
Miriam stared at Seraphina through the glass window, separated by only a few holes that allowed their voices to pass through. "Why did you hire an assassin to kill Layla?" she asked in direct and sharp tone.
Seraphina’s gaze hardened as she met Miriam’s eyes. "Because I never wanted her. My life fell apart because of her." She paused, recalling the previous day when Roger had delivered a message from Lucius—Orabela had been caught collaborating with her, and it served as a warning. She’d been told to cease any further plans.
Miriam’s fists clenched as she pushed further, her voice filled with years of bottled-up anger and confusion. "Then why stay by Darius’s side after Layla was born? Why live with us under the same roof, knowing you’d never be his official wife? He would have given you money to survive on your own, but you stayed. You treated Layla with disdain, yet you showed nothing but kindness to Orabela. Why?"
Seraphina’s face was impassive, but her voice wavered slightly as she replied. "I had to be kind to your daughter, Miriam. If I mistreated Orabela openly, Darius would never have let me stay. Layla was clumsy and often made mistakes; I only corrected her."
Seraphina shifted uncomfortably, feeling a tightening in her chest. These questions were too close to the truth, and she was desperate to escape. Rising from her chair, she said, "I have nothing more to say. I’ll be going now."
"Is Orabela your daughter?" Miriam’s words froze Seraphina in place. Her throat went dry, and she blinked rapidly, struggling to maintain her composure.
"What—what are you talking about, Miriam?" Seraphina’s voice was strained, attempting to mask her shock. "How could you even think such a thing?" She forced herself to frown, hoping it would look convincing.
But Miriam wasn’t buying it. She stood and slammed her hand against the glass, the force of it rattling the window and causing Seraphina to jolt back. Officers quickly stepped beside Miriam, but she ignored them, her focus entirely on Seraphina.
"Stop lying and answer me, Seraphina!" Miriam’s voice shook with rage. "Did you switch the babies the night they were born? Did you put your own daughter in the cradle beside me and take mine as your own?" Miriam’s voice rose, her words a mix of accusation and betrayal. "The DNA test report has exposed everything!"