Chapter 70
1304words
Aurora gave the large building a long look, a determined expression fixed on her face, "She won't know if you don't tell her."
She walked away without another word, stopping in front of the small camera scanner. The gates buzzed loudly and the metal drew open with a disturbing sound that grated at her nerves, she sucked in a small breath through her mouth before walking into the large courtyard.
Rosedale county prison was nothing like she'd imagined, not that she had ever thought about it before, it was neat and crisp albeit a little bit large and she wondered just how many prisoners were locked behind these walls.
She was stopped by a prison guard, a tall looking man dressed in blue shirt and matching pants with a cap on his head,
"Your ID, ma'am," He grunted in a monotonous voice and she took out her purse from underneath her arm, fished around the contents and plucked out the plastic card, "You got a visitors permit?"
"Yes," She answered, bringing out the tiny paper with the inscription 'Visitors permit' written boldly in front and stamped, "I got it two days ago but I've been so busy, I was unable to come."
He regarded her skeptically but nodded and unlocked the metal door, ushering her in. She had to go through a lot of procedures and signing of some forms before she was allowed into the visiting area. She sat down on the chair which surprisingly had a comfortable cushion for her buttocks.
Aurora marveled at the divider between her and she reached out to grab the telephone perched on the side. She had only seen this in movies, it was quite exhilarating to use one in real life.
Her eyes caught sight of the door on the other end opening and another officer walked in with Evan by his side. He didn't look any different although there was a scruff on his chin and his usually meticulously styled hair was ruffled, he was bound in cuffs and the officer got to releasing him before motioning towards the chair.
She watched as the office moved to stand in the corner of the room just as one had done behind her.
Evan perched on the seat, a lazy smile growing on his lips as he too reached for the telephone. As he placed it to his ear, she repeated the gesture,
"To what do I owe this pleasure?" He drawled, resting against the metal desk.
Aurora shrugged, "The house has been empty without you," She answered sarcastically, "How has prison life been?"
"Ah, you know, the usual," He smacked his lips together, chuckling, "Last time, I got thrown into an ice bath for causing a fight thrice in a row. It's truly exhausting in here, sister."
She grimaced at the term and his amusement grew. Aurora narrowed her eyes at him, he was doing it again, intentionally ruffling her.
"So," He started again, shifting nearer, "I heard you've been quite busy these days, how did your poor mother react to the pictures?"
She bristled, curling her fist around the phone, "We're looking for the reporter, Mike Gallagher. I know he posted those videos and I know you sent him to do it."
"Me?" He feigned shock, pointing at his chest, "Why would you even say that? The police and even your mother already went through my computer and phone, they found nothing of such."
She fell silent, glaring at him with hatred while he grinned back, his emerald orbs glittering with mischief.
"You planned this, didn't you?" She said after a long pause, watching him carefully, "You planned everything from the start and I stupidly played into your little game."
His features suddenly darkened and his smile morphed into a dangerous smirk, "Oh, sweet Aurora, I was simply giving you a choice. It was all I've ever done from the start."
Her brows furrowed together. What the hell did he mean by that?
Evan must have seen the question in her face because he leaned nearer, "In Pennsylvania, did you think it was a mere coincidence that you saw me talking to that woman?" He shrugged carelessly, leaning back on the backrest, "I gave you a choice back then and you made a very wrong decision."
She was silent, her brain working fast and when it clicked, her eyes widened a fraction. Evan smirked, snapping his fingers,
"Now you get it!" He laughed maniacally, bouncing up and down on his seat, "You see I've always been on your side but you-you- just never knew that, always trying to protect the very woman who has destroyed you from the inside."
Aurora licked her lips, her mouth suddenly going dry, "You're just doing this because of your revenge, don't try to pretend like you're some sort of hero."
"Oh, no, no, no," He shook his head, "You're getting me wrong, darling-"
"Don't call me that," She snipped and he smirked.
Evan cocked his head to the side, "I'm more interested in the choice you're going to make this time," The smile on his face fell and his tone turned grim, "I wonder to myself every night; will she sacrifice her happiness to give Miriam what she wants as always or maybe this time, she'll chase after what she truly desires over her mother's obsession,"
"Tell me, Aurora, what will you choose?"
Her heart thrummed dangerously and she could feel the tremor rising to her fingers. Aurora couldn't find it in herself to speak, she wondered how she got entangled into his plans and hated herself for not seeing it earlier.
"My mother didn't do it, you know," She said finally but he didn't seem to understand, "She had no hand in your mother's death."
The expression on Evan's face faltered but he was quick enough to hide it, "Is that what she told you? And you were foolish enough to believe her?"
He jumped to his feet and slammed his palm against the divider, startling Aurora to the core.
"Hey! Hey!" Move back," The guards from both our ends yelled, the one on his side already bringing out the taser from his pocket.
Aurora didn't flinch, she let her eyes remain locked with his in a silent battle.
"I did no wrong to you," Her voice shook as she said this, "I was actually glad to hear that I had a brother from the start but I don't why you've always hated me."
He pressed his forehead against the partitioner, "The only crime you committed was being born the daughter of Miriam Rochester. That was enough to make me detest the sight of you."
That was a severe blow to her chest and she flinched but tried not to show it. Her other hand was trembling badly underneath the desk and she curled it into a fist in an effort to cease the quaking.
"But I'm giving you a chance," He whispered, "A choice for you to make because either way, your mother will be ruined."
She tore the phone from her ear in a lightening quick motion and pushed herself far away from the desk. He had thrown his head backwards and was now laughing, although she couldn't hear him, it felt as though she did and an eerie chill crept all over her skin.
The guard on his end forcibly pulled him away from the divider and shoved him out of the room, slamming the door shut.
Aurora clenched her trembling fingers together, the sound of her pounding heart and the way blood rushed to her ears casted a dizzying spell on her and she nearly toppled over the chair.
