Because honestly? That theory made more sense. Before anyone could continue, another officer stepped into the room.

"Her husband is here," he announced. "With a lawyer." The investigator’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Interesting. Especially because during her earlier phone call with Julian, Amira had specifically said she didn’t trust Leo.

That alone already raised questions. "Good," the investigator said calmly.

Then after a brief pause. "I want you to offer him coffee or something." The younger officer blinked.

"What?"

"I want his DNA," the investigator said plainly. "Without raising suspicion." Realization crossed the officer’s face instantly.

"Understood." The lead investigator watched the mirrored glass thoughtfully afterward. Something about Leo bothered him already.

Too calm. Too composed. Meanwhile, inside the questioning room, Amira looked exhausted. Her makeup was ruined.

Her eyes were swollen from stress and lack of sleep. But despite everything. She still sat with her back straight beside her lawyer while Leo remained seated quietly nearby.

The lawyer adjusted his glasses before speaking confidently. "The video proves nothing," he argued. The investigator remained expressionless.

"There is no footage showing my client harming Madam Pedro."

"She argued with the victim," the investigator replied.

"So?" the lawyer countered immediately. "She lived in the same house." He spread his hands calmly.

"She could have entered the study, spoken with her mother, and walked back out. That does not make her a murderer."

Amira stayed silent beside him. The investigator studied her carefully. Then Leo. Then back to the lawyer.

"You may be right," he admitted calmly. The lawyer relaxed slightly. But then... "However," the investigator continued, "your client remains the primary suspect."

Amira visibly stiffened. "So until further notice," he finished, "she stays in custody."

Amira’s face immediately paled. Beside her, Leo remained unusually calm. Too calm. And that calmness did not escape the investigator’s notice.

Most husbands would be furious. Panicked. Demanding answers. But Leo? He almost looked like he was thinking carefully before every reaction. Watching. Measuring. The investigator leaned back slowly in his chair.

His instincts rarely failed him. And right now. Something about Leo Vale felt very wrong.

Very, very wrong. From this moment forward, the investigator silently decided. His attention would no longer stay focused only on Amira.

"What do you mean I can’t go home?" Amira’s voice cracked instantly.

"No—no, I can’t stay here another minute." Panic was slowly taking over now. "Please do something." The lawyer remained calm despite her growing distress.

"I’ll file for bail," he said professionally while gathering his documents. "Let’s hope the judge approves it quickly."

"Please," Amira whispered again. But noticeably... She still refused to look at Leo. The tension between them had become impossible to miss now.

Leo finally leaned slightly toward her, lowering his voice. "Everything will be fine." Amira immediately shook her head and looked away from him completely.

The rejection was subtle. But cold. And the lead investigator noticed it instantly. Interesting. Very interesting.

He leaned back slightly in his chair before casually shifting his attention toward Leo. "And where were you that night?"

The room became quiet immediately. Leo frowned. "What am I now?" he asked defensively. "A suspect?"

"Don’t answer that," the lawyer cut in sharply before the investigator could respond. The investigator smiled faintly.

Relaxed. Patient. "I was only asking because your wife stated earlier that she was with you that night," he said calmly. "But according to the timeline... she was actually home."

Leo’s expression barely changed. Too controlled. Too prepared.

"Well," Leo replied smoothly, "I was home." Then almost immediately. He reached for his phone.

"Here." He unlocked it quickly before turning the screen toward them. "This is security footage from my house that night."

The investigator’s eyes slowly narrowed. The footage was already ready. Organized. Timestamped. Convenient. Far too convenient.

Most innocent people searched for proof after being questioned. Leo already had his prepared. Like he expected the question. Like he had rehearsed for it.

The investigator slowly leaned forward while watching the footage quietly. And then. He smiled. Not because he believed Leo. But because his instincts suddenly felt even stronger now. Of course.

Who prepares evidence this carefully unless they’re hiding something? The investigator’s suspicions sharpened instantly. His gut had been right from the beginning.

Something about Leo Vance was deeply wrong. And now he was almost certain of it.

–

Seb finally returned home, his morning gone and half of his afternoon as well. The mansion felt unusually empty. Silent. Cold.

He loosened his tie completely and tossed his keys carelessly onto the counter before standing still in the middle of the kitchen for a long moment. Exhaustion sat heavily on his shoulders.

But despite everything happening. His mind remained with Amara. Always Amara. Slowly, Seb rolled up his sleeves and opened the refrigerator.

If anyone saw him now, they would probably never believe this was the same Sebastian Creed who terrified boardrooms and controlled billion-dollar companies with ruthless precision.

Because right now. He was simply a man making breakfast for the woman he still loved. His movements gradually slowed as memories began creeping in.

Amara is standing barefoot in the kitchen, stealing frosting from the bowl while laughing. Seren is sitting on the counter, kicking her tiny legs, impatiently waiting for cake batter.

Amara pretending to scold him whenever he spoiled Seren too much. For a brief moment. The kitchen almost felt alive again. Seb quietly prepared everything himself.

The cake. The noodles Seren loved. The steak recipe Amara used to ask for repeatedly after long days.

Even the soup. He remembered every detail perfectly. How much pepper Amara liked. How Seren hated carrots unless he cut them into tiny stars.

The small things. The ordinary things. And somehow those memories hurt far more than the screaming and hatred between them now.

Because once upon a time. They had actually been happy. Truly happy. Seb stood quietly staring at the finished food spread across the counter afterward.

Then, finally, let out a slow breath. Maybe... Maybe this could help. Maybe Amara would soften just a little when she sees him trying hard.

Maybe Seren seeing them together again would help, too.

Clinging to that fragile hope, Seb packed everything carefully and headed back to the hospital. But the moment he arrived. That hope cracked instantly.

"She already left this morning, sir." Seb frowned immediately.

"What?" The nurse looked slightly nervous beneath his stare. "Ms. Piers was transferred early this morning."