CHAPTER 47: WHO HARRASSED WHO?

"What’s that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Last night, at my place before we came here, your husband wasn’t exactly happy about me staying here. Maybe I should leave, Layla. I don’t want to cause problems between you two."

"Don’t worry about Axel. He was just having a bad night. You’re staying here until we can be sure of your safety. You just don’t worry."

She looked uncertain. "Are you sure? He seemed really upset?"

"I’m sure. Now, I need you to rest while I go handle something downstairs. The police are here, but it’s probably just a routine follow-up about your case."

But even as I said it, I had a sinking feeling that it was anything but routine.

I made my way downstairs, and my heart dropped when I saw who was standing in the foyer with the police officers. Cassandra and Daniel were there, looking far too pleased with themselves.

"Mrs Layla O’Brien?" one of the officers addressed me.

"Yes, that’s me. What’s this about?"

"We’ve received a complaint against you. We need to ask you a few questions."

My wheels were already turning, trying to figure out what game Cassy was playing now. "What kind of complaint?"

"Your sister here has accused you of stalking and threatening her."

I looked directly at Cassandra, who was standing there with a fake concerned expression. "That’s ridiculous. I’ve barely spoken to her in days."

"That’s not true," Cassandra said, her voice trembling with fake emotion. "She’s been trying to force her way into seeing our mother at the hospital. And because of that, she’s been harassing me and making threats."

Daniel stepped forward, looking self-righteous. "She even called the other night, making wild accusations and threatening Cassandra if anything happened to her friend."

"I was worried about Erica! I wasn’t threatening anyone!"

"You told me to tell Cassandra to ’undo’ whatever she had done or else...," Daniel continued. "That sounds like a threat to me."

The officer was taking notes. "Mrs O’Brien, is it true that you made this phone call?"

"Yes, but not in the way they’re describing it. My friend was missing, and I was desperate. I wasn’t thinking clearly."

"She’s been unstable for weeks," Cassandra added, placing a protective hand on her stomach. "Ever since she found out I was pregnant, she’s been acting erratically. I’m scared for my safety and the safety of my unborn child."

I felt my temper flare. "You’re lying! Both of you! This is all an act!"

"Ma’am, please calm down," the officer said. "We just need to ask you some questions."

"She’s just proving our point," Daniel said smoothly. "Look how aggressive she’s getting."

I was furious, especially at Daniel. After what he’d said to me at the hospital about him not being sure if Cassandra could take care of the unborn child and him wanting me back, now he was standing here acting like he cared about her well-being.

"This is unbelievable," I said. "You two are the ones who should be questioned. Do you know what Cassandra did to me? She ruined my marriage, paid someone to harass and assault me, and now she’s here making false accusations!"

"Mrs O’Brien, we’re going to need you to come with us for questioning," the officer said.

"I’m not going anywhere," I said firmly. "You don’t have an arrest warrant, and I haven’t committed any crime. In fact, I’m going to call my lawyer."

Just then, Axel appeared at the top of the stairs. He took in the scene below with a cold, assessing gaze before descending.

"What’s going on here?" His voice was calm but carried an unmistakable authority.

"Good morning, sir," the officer greeted.

"Axel O’Brien. This is my home, and she’s my wife. Is there a problem?"

Cassandra’s eyes widened slightly at his commanding presence, but she quickly recovered. "This is Layla’s husband. We were just telling the officers about her recent behaviour."

"What behaviour would that be?" Axel’s voice was dangerously quiet.

"Stalking and threatening behaviour toward her sister, Cassandra Watson Hart," the officer explained.

Axel pulled out his phone. "I have documentation of previous incidents where Miss Cassandra Watson attempted to sabotage my wife’s life, including public humiliation, defamation of character and assault. All of which I pressed charges for, but you all still let her walk away. Or is it because I let it go?"

He showed the officer something on his phone, and I watched as the man’s expression changed.

"I also have witnesses who can testify to Miss Cassandra’s pattern of harassment toward Layla," Axel continued smoothly. "So if we’re talking about who’s been stalking whom, I think the evidence speaks for itself."

The officers exchanged glances. After a few minutes of quiet discussion, they turned back to us.

"Given the conflicting accounts and lack of concrete evidence, we’re going to drop this matter for now. But I suggest all parties involved stay away from each other."

Cassandra’s face flushed with anger. "This is ridiculous! She threatened me!"

"Ma’am, without evidence or witnesses to support your claim, there’s nothing more we can do," the officer said.

Daniel grabbed Cassandra’s arm. "Come on, let’s go. This was a waste of time."

As they headed toward the door, I couldn’t help myself. "Cass, wait!"

She turned back, looking annoyed. "What?"

"How’s Mom? Is she okay?"

Cassy’s expression shifted to something almost cruel. "It’s too late for that, Layla. You should have thought about Mom before you chose to side against your own family."

Her words hit me like a physical blow. "What do you mean it’s too late? What happened to her?"

"Nothing happened. But she doesn’t want to see you anymore. Dad made sure of that."

Rage exploded through me, and I took a step forward. "You’re lying! Mom would never..."

Axel quickly grabbed my arm, restraining me. "Layla, stop. The police just settled this. Don’t give them a reason to come back."

"But she’s lying about Mom!"

"I know. But this isn’t the way to handle it."

Cassy and Daniel finally left, but as they reached the door, they both stopped and looked back toward the stairs. I followed their gaze and felt my stomach drop as I saw Erica, standing at the top of the steps.