Bonds

-Maya's POV-

One week.

That's how long the cold, damp cell had been my only companion. The stale air, the flickering fluorescent light, the constant echo of distant shouts - it all melded into a single, horrifying memory. The relief of Natalia flinging her arms around me when I was finally released was almost suffocating.

"They wouldn't even let me see him," I thought bitterly, clenching my fists in my lap. Ivan had explained things vaguely, something about political pressure and "influential forces." He'd insisted he wasn't responsible for my release, but then who was? Even though I knew the answer, I dared not think of him.

SM Moving in with Ivan had been a whirlwind. The twins, bless their curious little hearts, were asking endless questions I couldn't answer. "Where have you been Mummy? Why are we leaving Aunty Natalia?"

I would explain but I was just too damn tired. There was almost no tears left in my eyes.

Today, however, I wasn't here for tears. I was here to fight. Sitting across from a portly lawyer with thinning hair and a perpetually worried expression, I steeled myself. Mr. Davies had been recommended by Ivan, and while his kindness was evident, his lack of results was starting to grate on me.

"Mr. Davies," I began, my voice firm despite the tremor in my hands, "with all due respect, I don't feel like you're doing enough. It's been a week, and I haven't been able to see my father. He's in jail and you're telling me there's nothing we can do?"

Mr. Davies squirmed in his seat, adjusting his spectacles. "Miss Stone, I understand your frustration. Believe me, I am doing everything in my power. But your father's case is..." he hesitated, searching for the right words, "complicated."

"Complicated how?" I pressed, my voice rising a notch.

He sighed, a deep rumble that seemed to emanate from somewhere deep within his belly. "The evidence against him is... substantial, Miss Stone. Large sums of money, offshore accounts, the whole shebang. It doesn't look good, I'm afraid to say."

My stomach clenched. My father had always done things the legal way. That was one thing I could brag about even though we never saw eye to eye. But then a chilling thought struck me. Could someone have framed him? An enemy, a competitor, someone with a grudge? The questions swirled in my head, a storm with no clear answer.

"And how long?" I finally managed to ask, "How long could he be in prison for money laundering?"

He avoided my gaze, his lips pursed in a thin line. "Money laundering is a serious offense. Depending on the severity, the sentence. could range from..." he hesitated again, his voice dropping to a low murmur, "...ten to twenty-five years."

Twenty-five years.

A heavy silence descended upon the room after he uttered the chilling sentence. The air felt thick, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Wiping a stray tear that escaped down my cheek, I forced myself to speak.

"Ten to twenty-five years," I repeated, the words catching in my throat. "That can't be it. There has to be something we can do."

11:35 Fri, 21 Jun Chapter 38

He shuffled some papers on his desk, avoiding my gaze. "Look, I understand this is a difficult time for you. But these accusations. are serious, and the evidence against your father seems strong. However," he continued, a hint of hope creeping into his voice, "there might be a small chance. We could try to argue entrapment, if there's any evidence someone was pressuring him into laundering money."

A flicker of hope ignited within me. "Entrapment? But how would we know? They won't even let me see him."

He steepled his fingers, his expression thoughtful. "That is a problem. However, I can draft a request for visitation rights. There's no guarantee it will be granted, but it's a start. Perhaps your father can shed some light on the situation."

A sliver of relief washed over me. At least I wouldn't be completely in the dark anymore. "Visitation rights," I echoed, "Yes, please do that. Anything to see him, to talk to him."

He nodded, a faint smile flickering across his lips. "Alright. I'll get on that right away. In the meantime, I'll also see if I can dig up any information about entrapment. It's a long shot, but it's all we have right now."

"Thank you. I really appreciate you taking on this case."

He gave a small smile. "It's not about me. It's about justice. I will be in touch."

With a final nod, he shuffled out of the study, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I hadn't allowed myself to truly consider it before. In the whirlwind of emotions, fear, and confusion, the question of innocence hadn't truly surfaced.

But now, a seed of doubt had been planted. Was he really guilty of all that they said? A cold shiver ran down my spine. And then there was Alex. Could he be behind this? Could he have manipulated the evidence, used his influence to get my father out of the way? The thought was horrifying, but a terrifying possibility nonetheless.

The weight of worry settled heavily on my shoulders. With m pop y father gone, the responsibility for the Crescent pack loomed large. The irony wasn't lost on me. I'd relinquished the Alpha role to be with Alex, only to have it thrust back upon me by his actions. Why couldn't he just stay out of my life. Even if he had been the one to have me released, he was never getting a thank you out of me.

A choked sob escaped my lips, tears stinging my eyes. Just as I felt myself spiraling into despair, the office door creaked open and Natalia entered. Her concerned gaze swept over me, taking in my tear-streaked face and slumped posture.

"Maya?" she said softly, her voice laced with worry. "How are you holding up?"

I managed a weak smile, the gesture feeling hollow even to me. "It could be better," I admitted, my voice thick with emotion. "Mr. Davies is trying to get me visitation rights, but it could take days. And the miracle of all miracles, Ms Edwards hasn't fired me yet."

She pulled up a chair and sat next to me, her presence a source of comfort. She squeezed my hand gently, her touch warm and reassuring. "Hey," she said firmly, her voice unwavering, "You're strong, Amaya. Stronger than you give yourself credit for. You've been through a lot, but you haven't broken."

I let out a shaky breath, leaning into her side. "It just feels like one drama after another, I confessed, burying my face in her shoulder. "First, everything with Alex, now this. When will it all stop?"

She wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight. "I know, sweetie," she murmured. "It feels overwhelming, doesn't it? Like the Chapter 38

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I pulled back slightly, tears welling up in my eyes again. "And the worst part?" I my m

I whispered, voice barely above a choked sob. "It feels like Alex's shadow is following me everywhere I go. Is he behind it all?"

She frowned, her brow furrowed in concern. "I don't know," she admitted. "But jumping to conclusions won't help Right now, we need to focus on your father. We need to clear his name and get him back home."

"You're right. Focusing on anger won't help. I need a clear head."

"That's the spirit. We'll get through this together, Maya. You're not alone. We have each other, the twins, the pack. We'll figure this out, one step at a time." But then there was suddenly a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. "Natalia?" I prompted, a sliver of unease creeping into my voice. "Is something wrong?

She hesitated for a moment longer, then blurted out, "There's something you need to know, Maya. Something I haven't told you yet."

My heart hammered in my chest, a sense of foreboding washing over me. "What is it? What haven't you told me?"

She took a deep breath, "I went to see Alex when you were in jail."

I froze, the blood draining from my face. Seeing my reaction, she rushed on, "I know, I know, it now, it wasn't thelbest decision But was worried sick about you, Maya. He is one of the most powerful men in both worlds. If anyone could get you out of it, I knew it would be him."

Her explanation did little to ease the turmoil within me. The mere mention of Alex sent a fresh wave of anger crashing through me. But before I could voice my accusations, she dropped another bombshell.

"And there's something else," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "Adrian is getting out."