She Was Never Just the Wife novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Chapter 42

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The police’s words exploded like a thunderclap through the peaceful afternoon at the Stein Mansion.

Laylah sat in her car, staring through the window at the police cruiser outside the gate and the two polices. Her heart skipped a beat, then began pounding wildly in her chest. Her fingertips went icy cold, and a chill shot up her spine.

“The police are here for Aiyana? To ask questions?’ Laylah’s thoughts raced. ‘What else could it be? It must be about last night. Celia really went and called the cops?

‘Celia, whom I had always seen as meek and cowardly, wasn’t she supposed to hide this? How could she dare? What gave her the right? Didn’t she fear losing her dignity?’ Laylah couldn’t believe it.

But the flashing police lights and the officers’ serious faces made it impossible to deny. Celia really did it. She acted so fast.

Brayden was clearly rattled. His voice quivered as he spoke through the iron gate, “Officer, is there a misunderstanding? Ms. Aiyana Stein-”

“Whether there’s a misunderstanding or not, we’ll find out after our investigation,” the lead officer cut in, his sharp eyes giving him an air of authority.

His tone was strictly professional. “Please cooperate and have Ms. Aiyana Stein come out. Otherwise, we’ll come in and find her ourselves.”

Brayden turned back, glancing helplessly toward the main house, then shot a look at the car parked in the courtyard.

Laylah knew she couldn’t hide any longer. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay composed despite the turmoil inside, and stepped out of the car.

Her high heels clicked steadily on the stone path. She quickly arranged her features into the right mix of surprise and concern, then headed for the gate with steady steps.

“Hello, Officer,” Laylah greeted, her voice warm and a hint uncertain. “I’m Aiyana’s older sister, Laylah Stein. May I ask what this is about? She’s still quite young and might not always know how things work.

“If she accidentally caused any trouble, I apologize for her.” She tried to soften the officer’s stance with a mix of family concern and gentle vulnerability.

The middle-aged officer gave her a quick look, his gaze pausing briefly on her polished appearance and composed expression, but he remained unmoved.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Laylah Stein. We’re here to speak with Ms. Aiyana Stein regarding a case that requires her cooperation. I’m not at liberty to share the details right now. Please have her come out.”

The officer’s words hit Laylah hard. ‘Celia actually called the police, and they’ve already started an investigation? What did Louis tell them?’ Laylah wondered.

“A case?” Laylah’s eyes widened, her face a mix of confusion and worry. “Aiyana is always well-behaved. Is it

19:31 Mon, May 11 d

Chapter 42

possible there’s been a mistake? Could you tell us a little more about what kind of case this is, so we know how to cooperate?”

“Ms. Laylah Stein, please cooperate,” the officer said, his tone growing sharper with impatience. “If you continue to obstruct, we’ll consider it interference with police business.”

The younger officer behind him stepped forward, his hand hovering over the body camera at his belt.

Laylah felt a chill run through her. She knew she couldn’t stall any longer. Her expression turned helpless and anxious as she turned to Brayden. “Call Aiyana down. Tell her that there’s something urgent for her.”

She carefully avoided mentioning the police, but the shaky edge to her voice betrayed her unease. Brayden rushed into the main house.

The few minutes of waiting felt like an eternity. Laylah stood at the gate, painfully aware of the officers’ eyes on her. She kept her posture flawless, but her fingers were clenched so tightly together that her nails were nearly digging into her skin.

She wondered, ‘How much did Louis spill? Did he mention me? Is there any evidence about that water? That idiot Aiyana, will she blurt everything out?

‘No, she wouldn’t dare. If things blow up, it won’t do her any good. But what if the cops actually have solid proof?’

As her thoughts were spiraling, Aiyana shuffled out in her slippers, looking annoyed as she followed Brayden. “What’s the big deal, Laylah? You’re freaking me out.

“I was in the middle of a video call with Sarah.” Her words cut off abruptly as her eyes landed on the officers’ stern faces. The color drained from her face in an instant, leaving only pure panic and confusion.

“Laylah, w-what happened?” Aiyana’s voice trembled as she instinctively shrank behind Laylah.

“Ms. Aiyana Stein?” The middle-aged officer stepped forward, flashing his badge. “We’re from the Criminal Investigation Division.

“You’re suspected of using banned substances and encouraging others to commit harm. Please come with us to the station to help us with our investigation.”

“What?” Aiyana screamed, her face drained of all color. Her knees nearly gave out, and she only managed to stay standing by grabbing onto Laylah’s arm for dear life. “I didn’t. What drugs? What encouragement? You’re lying. You’re trying to set me up.

“Laylah, help me. I’m not going to the police station.” She was a mess, tears pouring down her cheeks. All that smugness and calculation from before had vanished. Now she was nothing but terrified.

Laylah winced as Aiyana clung desperately to her arm, frustration simmering at Aiyana’s lack of composure. But it wasn’t the time for lectures. She fought through the pain and her rising anger, keeping her voice steady as she addressed the officer.

“Officer, my sister is still young and doesn’t really know what she’s doing. There must be some kind of misunderstanding. Could I talk to her first? Or perhaps notify our lawyer before anything else?”

19:31 Mon, May 11 d

Chapter 42

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“Ms. Laylah Stein, being young or not knowing any better doesn’t count for much,” the middle-aged officer replied, his expression stone-cold.

“As for a lawyer, she can hire one once she’s at the station. Now, please step aside and don’t interfere with our duties. His gaze carried a clear warning. The younger officer moved in to cuff Aiyana.

“No. Don’t handcuff me.” Aiyana was scared out of her mind, thrashing wildly as she screamed, “Laylah, save me. It was Louis. That bastard must be lying. I never told him to actually do anything.

“I wanted to scare that damn Celia. I never meant to hurt her. He gave the drugs to me. He said it was no big deal. Laylah, you have to believe me.”

Completely panicked, she lost all control and basically confessed on the spot, even dragging Louis and the drugs into the mess for everyone to hear.

Laylah’s vision went dark for a moment. She was dying to clamp a hand over that idiot’s mouth. ‘She’s practically handing the police evidence on a silver platter, Laylah thought.

The middle-aged officer’s gaze hardened, and he nodded to his partner. The younger cop didn’t hesitate, quickly cuffing Aiyana as she sobbed and fought. “Aiyana, you are now officially summoned to the station for investigation.

“You have the right to remain silent. Everything you say will be recorded as evidence.” The announcement was cold and clinical.

“Laylah.” Aiyana was dragged away by the officers, stumbling as she went. Her anguished, hopeless screams echoed across the courtyard.

Laylah stood frozen, watching as the police car drove away with Aiyana inside. A chill ran through her, her limbs going numb. The gentle facade she’d so carefully maintained finally shattered, leaving nothing but shock, anger, and a deep, gnawing fear.

‘Louis really got caught. And he ratted out Aiyana so fast. What about that glass of water? How will Celia point the finger? How much evidence do the police actually have?’ Laylah wondered,

Suddenly, Laylah remembered what Aiyana had said to Sarah earlier, “What if she blows it? Then someone else gets the chance.” That icy hatred surged right back.

‘This idiot. She’s not useless, she’s a walking disaster, and she’s got it out for others, too,’ Laylah thought.

But no matter how much she wanted to strangle her, she had to figure out a way to bail Aiyana out. At the very least, she couldn’t let this mess drag her down too.

She snatched up her phone, her hands shaking so badly it took several tries to unlock it. Firstly, she called her parents. There was no way to hide something this huge.

Nash’s furious shouting and Monica’s wailing nearly made her want to throw her phone across the room. Trying to keep her cool, she told them to call the best lawyer they knew and get to the station ASAP.

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