5

Celia Winters leaned against the wall for a few moments, trying to catch her breath.

Her legs were trembling from exhaustion, while the bitter taste of alcohol still burned her throat.

She closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

"It's over... all that's left is to go to the hospital tomorrow."

She tightened her grip on the check inside her pocket, as if it was the only thing giving her strength to continue.

Then she began to walk slowly down the hallway leading to the exit.

On the opposite side...

A group of men and women were walking inside the club laughing loudly.

And in the middle...

Was a woman wearing an expensive white dress, a diamond necklace hanging from her neck, while clinging to the arm of an elegant man.

She was smiling proudly, as if she were the queen of the place.

As soon as Celia raised her head, her steps froze.

Her eyes widened in shock.

Evelyn Winters.

Her half-sister.

The woman who stole everything from her.

The family...

The name...

Then her life.

As for Evelyn, she didn't notice her at first, as she was busy hearing congratulatory phrases.

One of the ladies said with a wide smile:

"Congratulations on your engagement, Miss Winters."

And another man added:

"We heard your fiancé is one of the most famous businessmen in the city."

Evelyn smiled with fake modesty.

"Thank you... we are still at the beginning of the road."

The congratulations rose again.

As for Celia, she only wanted to escape.

She lowered her head, and started walking along the wall, trying to pass without anyone noticing her.

But the dizziness caused by the alcohol made her steps unstable.

And at the moment Evelyn turned to thank one of her friends...

Her shoulder collided with Celia.

The latter lost her balance.

And fell hard to the ground.

At the same moment...

The check and several banknotes slipped from her coat pocket, and scattered on the floor.

Silence prevailed.

Evelyn looked at the scattered banknotes, then at Celia sitting on the ground.

At first...

She didn't recognize her.

For the young woman in front of her no longer resembled the dazzling girl she knew.

But when she heard the whisper of one of the employees:

"Isn't this Celia...?"

Her features suddenly changed.

A cold smile appeared on her lips.

Then she said in a loud voice, so everyone could hear:

"Oh my God... Celia?"

Celia slowly raised her head.

She wished the ground would split open and swallow her.

She stood with difficulty, then bent down to quickly collect the money.

But Evelyn beat her to it, and picked up one of the banknotes between her fingers.

She looked at it with contempt.

Then she said in a voice carrying clear sarcasm:

"Where did you get this money from?"

Celia didn't answer.

She continued collecting the papers in silence.

Evelyn came a step closer.

"Don't tell me... did you start stealing after getting out of prison?"

Celia's hand trembled.

But she continued collecting the money.

She didn't want trouble.

Not tonight.

Not after she finally got the price of her mother's treatment.

But her silence seemed like a confession.

Evelyn raised her voice more:

"Manager!"

The club manager came out quickly.

"Is there a problem, Miss Winters?"

She pointed to Celia saying:

"This woman bumped into me, then I found a large amount of money with her."

She pretended to be worried before adding:

"I'm afraid she stole it from one of the guests."

The attendees began to whisper.

"Isn't she the one who got out of prison?"

"Then it's not strange that she returns to stealing."

Celia felt the words pierce her heart.

She finally raised her head and said in a weak voice:

"This money... is not stolen."

Evelyn laughed sarcastically.

"Really? Then tell us... who gave a waitress like you this amount?"

Celia was unable to answer.

She couldn't utter Junior Hamilton's name.

And at that moment...

The sound of the private room door rang behind them.

And Junior came out with his friends, without knowing that the truth he had been searching for for three years had begun to reveal itself before his eyes, step by step.

The club manager stood in front of Evelyn with a respectful bow.

"Miss Winters, did something happen?"

Evelyn pointed to Celia who was still bent over collecting the banknotes with trembling hands.

Then she said in a tone full of fake regret:

"This girl used to live in our house before."

She paused for a moment, then sighed.

"She got out of prison just a few days ago... and it seems she hasn't changed."

Whispering prevailed among those standing.

"So she is the owner of the prison case..."

"I thought the rumors were exaggerated."

"No wonder she carries all this money."

Celia heard every word.

But she didn't raise her head.

She continued collecting the papers in silence, as if she heard nothing.

Evelyn approached her, then stepped with the heel of her shoe on one of the banknotes.

Celia stopped.

She raised her gaze to her for a moment.

Evelyn smiled a cold smile.

"You haven't answered yet."

"Where did you get this money from?"

Celia answered in a faint voice:

"It's my money."

Evelyn laughed mockingly.

"Really?"

"And who gives a waitress who has only been working for a few hours all this money?"

Celia didn't utter a word.

She knew well...

If she mentioned Junior Hamilton's name, no one would believe her.

But perhaps they would think she was lying to exploit his name.

So she preferred silence.

But her silence was exactly what Evelyn wanted.

She turned to the manager and said:

"Call the police."

Celia's body trembled violently.

Her breath stopped for a moment.

The police...

Just hearing this word made the world spin around her.

The sound of the iron cell door closing returned to her ears.

The screams of the female prisoners came back to her.

And the smell of dampness.

And the guard's voice saying:

"Take her to solitary confinement."

She stepped back while shaking her head quickly.

"No..."

She barely whispered.

"Please..."

But Evelyn interrupted her coldly.

"If you are innocent, why are you afraid of the police?"

Tears began to gather in Celia's eyes.

She was not afraid of the investigation...

But she was afraid of returning to any place resembling prison.

The manager approached her.

"Miss, it's better that you wait until the police arrive."

Celia suddenly raised her head, and signs of panic were clear on her face.

"No..."

"Please..."

"This money is not stolen."

But no one believed her.

But some of those present began to look at her with contempt.

One of the women said:

"Criminals don't confess easily."

And another man added:

"She should have stayed in prison."

Celia felt the ground shifting under her feet.

She put her hand on her chest while trying to catch her breath.

Her whole body began to tremble.

And she didn't notice that one of the employees approached her.

The manager said sternly:

"Since you are accused of theft, you must return the club's work uniform before leaving."

Celia froze.

She looked at him without comprehension.

"What...?"

He said coldly:

"The uniform belongs to the club."

"Take it off now."

Her eyes widened.

She looked around her.

Dozens of people were standing watching her.

She felt the heat of shame sting her face.

She whispered in a trembling voice:

"I can return it tomorrow..."

But the manager interrupted her:

"Now."

She hesitated for moments.

Then she closed her eyes.

Her dignity had been stripped away years ago...

And she had nothing left to lose.

She placed her trembling hand on the buttons of her jacket, and began to unbutton it slowly amidst everyone's gaze...

And at the same moment...

A strong hand extended from among the crowd, and grabbed her wrist before she took off the first piece of her clothing.

Celia froze in place.

As for those present, they all turned towards the owner of that hand.

Junior Hamilton was standing directly behind her.

And his cold eyes were fixed on her without uttering a word.