INSIDE THE WALLS OF REPUTATION

(NICOLE’S POV)

 

My heart raced as I was escorted by the nurse, my mind racing with thoughts of how to get out of this mess. I was placed next to the ambulance as we waited for the police to arrive. 

Alexa and Lala paced anxiously around their mother. The doctors were administering first aid. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Gladys stirred and opened her eyes, relief washing over her daughters' faces.

"Mom! What happened?" Alexa demanded, her voice sharp. "She just… she pushed me, Alexa. I didn’t mean to provoke her," her mother stammered, her hands shaking together nervously as she pointed at me.

"It's okay, Mum, you don't have to be scared we will take care of you," Alexa said soothingly, trying to calm her mother down. Then she turned to face me, her expression hardened, I realized one thing she wasn't going to let this slide. What was Gladys doing framing me like this? I was her real daughter, had she truly betrayed me?

The policewoman escorted me to Alexa, who stood tall, her eyes fixed on me. "Are you going to press charges, miss?" the officer asked. Alexa turned to face me, her gaze hardening. "Yes," she replied, her voice firm and resolute.

Then she turned to Lala, "I want you to gather all the footage of what happened today. Don't mention it to Mum, I don't want to worry her with such a trivial matter. I am going to sue Nicole."

Lala beamed with excitement. "Am so happy you are finally standing up to her, sis! I was ready to sue her anyway." I have always begged Mum to tell this girl the truth, I was her real sister but she was always against me favoring Alexa instead. 

“Officer, I will pass by the station with evidence." Those were the last words I heard before I felt the cold metal closing around my wrists. I looked down in shock, I was in handcuffs. “Nicole Wilton Hales, you are under arrest," the officer declared.

I was currently seated in the police station's waiting room. Those bitches had actually arrested me, they will pay dearly once I get out of here, I vowed to myself. I turned to the officer. "Officer, are my parents coming?" The officer turned to look at me calmly, "Be patient, I said I called them." She answered dismissively.

My patience was almost running out, when my father, Robert Wilton, burst into the room, enveloping me in a warm hug. "Nicole, honey, are you okay?" he asked, holding me tightly. He scanned my face and body, checking for any signs of distress.

"Dad,” I sobbed, throwing myself in his arms. “I'm not fine," I said, tears streaming down my face. "It was a mistake, I didn't mean to." I sobbed, knowing that showing vulnerability might be the only way to convince my mom to get me out of here.

I peeked at her behind my dad, but she simply scoffed, shaking her head. "Don't play the victim, Nicole. This isn't a game. No amount of tears will erase this record from your file." Her words stung, only someone like Eleanor Wilton would prioritize reputation over her daughter's well-being in a moment like this.

I hid behind Dad, who immediately defended me, his voice calm and gentle, "Eleanor, she is already upset." Mum's cold laughter sent shivers down my spine. "Sad? What of those that almost lost their mother today?” She turned to face me. “What about the woman you pushed down the stairs? Nicole, do you know how serious that is?" The anger I felt at those words must have been visible on my face, but I bit my lip, swallowing my anger and hurt. I had to pretend if I wanted to get out of here.

I looked down, picking at my fingernail nervously as I mumbled, "It was an accident." 

Mum's voice was stern. "An accident? But the police report says otherwise. Witnesses saw you arguing with her before she fell."

So that was the report Gladys made, I will deal with that so-called mother of mine once I get out of here. I turned to face my mum with a hurt expression. "That's not what happened. She started it, she was threatening me!" My voice trembled slightly, betraying my attempt to stay calm.

“Threatening you? What possible threat could a middle-aged woman make that would cause you to...to act like a thug!” She screamed.

"Mom, please, it was a mistake. I didn't push her, she fell on her own," I pleaded. 

She rubbed her temples, looking stressed then she looked at me helplessly. "How am I going to explain this to your grandfather? You have humiliated our family!" I bit my lip, fighting back anger. Reputation! Reputation! Was a song I had grown up listening to. It was always my reputation before me. If I wanted to be loved I had to act accordingly and not damage the family's reputation. Why did reputation always come first? Maybe it's because I wasn't her biological daughter. The thought stung.

Dad placed a gentle hand on Mum's arm. "Please, Eleanor, let's get her out of here first. She is under a lot of stress. We are here to help, aren't we?" 

Mum's expression turned sour. "Help her? By bailing her out so she can run away again instead of facing the consequences?" Her voice dripped with frustration and disappointment.

I begged, "Please, Mum, I didn't mean to push her." I pleaded, but beneath the surface, I was boiling with anger. I despised this woman, just like I hated Alexa, both of them always pretending to be perfect. M

"But you pushed her. And that's why you are here. For attempted murder. Murder, Nicole. Do you even grasp the word?" Her gaze pierced through me as if daring me to deny the reality.

I shivered at the anger and disappointment in her voice. Was I really a burden to her, but she had raised me? "It's okay, Mother. I shouldn't have called you. You can leave, I will figure it out on my own." Genuinely I meant it, I wanted her to go. I was still hurt and confused, wondering why my own mother would put me in such a condition. Although I didn't grow up with Gladys she has always been closer to me than Eleanor. Maybe because blood was thicker than water.

Dad wrapped his arms around me tightly. "Honey, your mother is upset. We both are. But the important thing is, we are working on getting you out. I have spoken to Mr. Finch, he is on his way. My baby won't spend a night in a police cell." 

I buried my face in his chest, feeling a wave of relief. "I knew you wouldn't neglect me, Dad." His warmth and familiar scent comforted me, making me feel slightly better.

Mum sat down on the prison bench facing us with an exhausted look. "We shall get you out, but I want both of you to know, this isn't some scraped knee we can kiss better. This is murder! And you, Robert, how can you stand there and enable her?!" Her words ignited a fire within me. I hated this woman I called mother.

Dad sat down next to her, gently holding her hand in his. "This isn't about enabling, Eleanor. It's about family. Our daughter is in trouble, and we are going to help her. That's what we do." His words were a gentle reminder of where his priorities lay with me, his daughter, rather than with Mum's concerns about reputation.

The days that followed were a whirlwind of legal documents and meetings between my lawyers and the Jones family's lawyers. Finally, I was released. Alexa didn't even come to the station once, it seemed she didn't find me worthy of her time.

We will see about that. I promised myself.