An Endless Ocean Of Resentment

Leo’s face turned deathly pale.

His hand trembled as he pulled out his phone.

The lock screen which was once a photo of me, had been replaced by a wedding photo of him and Maya.

He tapped the screen to dial.

Seconds later, a cheerful ringtone echoed from my jacket pocket.

With a dark smirk, I pulled out Maya’s blood-stained phone and answered.

“Hey, babe. Why didn't you come save me? I’m so scared...”

Leo lunged forward, grabbing my collar with both hands.

“What did you do to Maya?!”

Before I choked, his deputy, Mark Shane, rushed over and pulled him back.

“Captain, back off! This interrogation is being livestreamed!”

Leo gritted his teeth with his eyes fixed on mine.

“Where is Maya?”

I held up my hands, letting the handcuffs clank.

“No idea. Since you were smart enough to hunt me down, I’m sure you’re smart enough to find her.”

“Clara!”

Leo’s eyes burned red with rage.

“Maya treated you like her best friend! When you were bullied in school, she stood up for you!

“When your mother fell ill, she pulled strings at the hospital to get a bed. She took care of her every single day!

“When you couldn't pay the medical bills, she drained her savings to help you!

“Is this how you repay her?!”

On the large screen displaying the livestream feed, comments flooded in at lightning speed.

[Wait, isn't Maya the doctor from Saint Jude's Hospital?]

[I remember her! She was an absolute angel. My dad was sick and we couldn't afford medicine, so she bought it for us out of her own pocket.]

[Why do bad things happen to good people? That murderer needs to burn in hell!]

I let out a cold laugh at the accusations and turned my head away, refusing to look.

My reaction snapped Leo's restraint.

He snatched a protection charm dangling from Maya’s phone key chain and slammed it down in front of me.

“Years ago, Maya only talked to me a few extra times because of your mother’s treatment! But you became paranoid, accused her of trying to steal me, and stabbed her!

“I detained you, but Maya felt guilty and signed a waiver so you wouldn't be charged! And what did you do? You ran off and vanished! Maya couldn't even sleep at night worrying about you!

“This charm? Maya climbed nine thousand steps on her knees at the mountain shrine just to get it for you!

“She prayed every day for your safety. And you repaid her by killing four people and targeting her!”

Leo screamed, his breath ragged, staring at me as if he wanted to tear me apart.

“Do you have any idea that your mother passed away while you were in custody?

“Maya ignored her own stab wound to lead the emergency team! Twelve straight hours in surgery without a drop of water!

“When your mother couldn't be saved, Maya broke down in tears, and she paid for the entire funeral herself!

“She blamed herself all these years! She takes leave every year on your mother’s death anniversary to visit her grave.

“She did everything for you, and this is how you repay her!”

At the mention of my mother, tears finally welled in my eyes.

Seeing my reaction, Leo relaxed his fists.

The hand that had once knelt to put an engagement ring on my finger now rested on my shoulder.

“Clara, where did you hide Maya?

“If you confess now, I can talk to the prosecutor. I can get you a lighter sentence.”

I raised my head, wiping away a tear as I laughed out loud.

“A lighter sentence?”

“Leo Davis, you’re a cheating piece of trash. When have you ever tried to save me?”