Classic Novel
Chapter 213
Chapter 213 +5
The following day, Derek and Evelyn decided to see Sandra as planned before going to his parent's home to inform them about their findings and also pick up Samantha.
Derek tightened his grip on Evelyn's hand as they approached the gray concrete walls of the prison.
The air felt heavier here; the echoes of distant voices and the sharp clang of metal gates made Evelyn's heart race. It was her first time in a prison environment, and she couldn't help feeling uneasy.
That morning Derek had tried to convince her once again that she shouldn't visit Sandra, but she had insisted. Sandra had asked to see her, and no matter how complicated her feelings were, she needed to know why.
A guard led them through a series of security checks until they reached a small visitation room. A metal table stood at the center, flanked by two sets of chairs. Evelyn's eyes drifted to the scratched surface of the table, her thoughts swirling with uncertainty. The door on the opposite side creaked open, and Sandra entered.
Evelyn's breath caught as she took in the sight of her. Sandra was a shadow of her former self. Her once-vibrant complexion was now pale, her cheeks hollow. Her hair, tied back in a limp ponytail, lacked its usual luster. Dressed in a standard-issue prison uniform, she looked smaller, as though the weight of her actions had physically diminished her.
Sandra walked in, her eyes fixed on the ground. She seemed reluctant to meet their gaze, her hands nervously twisting together as she lowered herself into the chair opposite them. Her shoulders were hunched, and her eyes remained fixed on the table. Evelyn felt a pang of pity despite everything Sandra had done.
"How are you?" Evelyn's voice was soft, carrying an unexpected note of concern.
Sandra's head jerked up, her eyes wide with surprise. She hadn't expected Evelyn to ask that. "I'm... fine," she replied hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you for coming." Derek leaned forward, his expression hard. "She shouldn't have come. I didn't want her to. But she insisted." His voice carried an edge of warning. "Don't make me regret bringing her here."
Sandra nodded quickly, her gaze flicking to Derek before returning to Evelyn. "I won't," she said. Her voice wavered as she continued,
"I-I wanted to apologize. For everything."
Evelyn's brow furrowed, but she said nothing, waiting for Sandra to explain.
Sandra swallowed hard, her hands trembling as they lay clasped on the table. "'ve had a lot of time to think she began, her voice trembling. "And I've realized how wrong I was. My anger at you, Evelyn- it wasn't justified. You didn't deserve what I did and tried to do to you." Her eyes brimmed with tears as she looked at Evelyn. "Even when you found out about my affair with Michael, you didn't expose me. You didn't ruin me, even though you could have."
"Is that why you wanted to see her?" Derek interrupted, his voice
cold. "To justify your sudden change of heart? To tell her you've finally come to your senses? Because if that's all, she doesn't need to hear it. We're leaving."
Sandra flinched at his tone, but before she could respond, Evelyn placed a calming hand on Derek's arm. He turned to her, his jaw clenched, but her gentle touch seemed to defuse some of his tension.
She could tell that Derek was mad at Sandra for what her father had done to his parents and for what Sandra had almost done to her.
"Why now?" Evelyn asked, her voice steady but laced with curiosity. "Why did you ask to see me?"
Sandra's lips quivered, "I promised God that I would do this if he brought Mom back to life."
Evelyn hesitated, "Do you know why your biological father went to jail?"
Sandra's brows knitted together in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Your biological father, Victor Harding," Evelyn said, and Sandra's frown deepened, and she shook her head slowly.
"How did you know about him? Did Mom tell you? Why are you asking me that?" she whispered.
Evelyn exhaled deeply, her eyes locking with Sandra's. "Your biological father murdered Derek's biological parents."
The color drained from Sandra's face. Her lips parted in shock, and her eyes darted to Derek, then back to Evelyn "What?" she breathed, her voice barely audible. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over as she shook her head in disbelief. "No... that can't be true."
"It is, Evelyn said, her tone
unwavering We recently uncovered the truth. He killed Derek's parents and tried to cover it up. And now, you-you've followed in his footsteps, Sandra. You've hurt people, lied, manipulated, all for your own gain."
Sandra's tears fell freely now, her body trembling as she absorbed Evelyn's words. "I didn't know," she choked out. "I swear, I didn't know."
Evelyn nodded slowly, her voice softening. "We know you weren't aware. Even Mom had no idea it was Derek's biological parents. I thought you should know."
"I'm sorry," Sandra cried, looking from Evelyn to Derek, but Derek didn't look at her, though his jaw tightened at the thought that her father had killed his parents and she had attempted to kill the woman he loved.
"Like you, I promised that I'd forgive
you if Mom woke up, so I have. But you need to understand something, Sandra." She leaned forward, her eyes piercing. "Mom doesn't deserve a daughter like you- not after living with a man like your father, hope you stay here long enough to truly change because that's the only way you can make things right." Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
Sandra sobbed openly now, her hands covering her face as she broke down. Evelyn stood, her expression calm but resolute. Derek rose as well, his posture stiff with barely contained anger. "Let's go," Evelyn said, her voice gentle but firm.
Without another word, they turned and left, leaving Sandra to grapple with the weight of her actions and the truth Evelyn had laid before her.