A Theory

Chapter 5: A Theory

Aurora

The idea that my husband might still be alive haunted me for days, weeks, even. Damon had been in and out of the prison cell, preparing for the appeal. He hired a private investigator to look into the city where the supposed murder happened.

I didn’t want to believe Bryan was alive. There was no way he would let me go through everything I went through. It was simply impossible.

So today, as I waited for my meeting with Damon, my heart was racing. When the time finally came, I hurried to see him.

“You look like you have a lot to say,” Damon said, his eyes scanning my face.

“I do,” I replied quickly. “I don’t think Bryan is dead. I refuse to believe Bryan would let me go to jail for a murder that didn’t exist. I know you may not like him…”

“Why wouldn’t I like him?” Damon cut in sharply. “I’m here as your legal advisor, not as your ex-boyfriend. I’m only doing my job.”

I paused, biting my lip, then continued. “Whatever theory you have that he’s alive is obviously not possible…”

“Did you see your husband’s body?” he interrupted again. “Or did you just assume he was dead because it was all over the news?”

“I…I…uhm…” My voice faltered. “I couldn’t see it because of the Wolfes’ attitude towards me, but it was everywhere on the news. I’m sure if there was no solid case, the police would never have made it one. And the judge…”

“Firstly,” Damon leaned forward, his voice firm, “anything can happen in a corrupt system. The Wolfe family works with the government. Anything can happen. I have to prove either he’s alive or you didn’t do it. It has to be one of those two.”

“It’s the other,” I said quickly. “Bryan wouldn’t do that to me. He loves me so much, and I know he would never do anything to hurt me…”

“Hmm…” Damon smirked faintly. “So…do you know about his relationship with Amara?”

“What relationship? They work together. She’s his creative director. I know about that.”

He gave me a long, hard look. “You are so naïve. That’s why you’re so easy to mess with.”

“Look…” I snapped. “Are you here to insult me or play mind games with me?”

“He’s been having an affair with Amara for a long time now. And I have evidence, just a little I got from my digging.”

“No way…” My hands shook as I opened the envelope he slid across the table. Inside were pictures, Amara and Bryan wrapped in each other’s arms. Some were at family events I wasn’t allowed to attend. These pictures were taken long before his death.

“How did you get this?” I asked in a trembling voice.

“I have my ways,” Damon said coolly. “That’s why I keep saying, i am the only one who can help you out of the shackles of the Wolfe family.”

“Today’s meeting is over,” I whispered. Standing up quickly, I walked back toward my cell. I didn’t want Damon to see me bawling my eyes out.

The moment I stepped inside, I threw myself on the hard prison bed. My heart shattered into pieces. I wanted to stop crying, I really did. I wanted to hold myself together but everything was falling apart.

“Your visitor has a message for you,” the guard announced loudly.

“Aurora! Your visitor has a message for you!” he repeated.

I dragged myself up, wiped my tears, and took the folded note. It was from Damon. I opened it and read:

“You have to keep emotions aside if you actually want to leave this place. I can’t say what I’m not sure of. The possibility of Bryan being alive is 89%, and you should be happy,because if he is truly alive, that automatically means you’re free to go. You can sulk for as long as you want because of this discovery, but get a grip because your appeal is in two weeks. If my team and I can’t set you free, with the influence of the Wolfe family, you’ll be spending the rest of your life here and you won’t watch your son grow. Pull yourself together.”

I crushed the paper in my hand and tossed it aside. I could feel Damon’s attitude through his words, but he was right. The circumstances around Bryan’s death had always felt strange. Everything happened so fast.

But…it’s been six months. If he were alive, there’s no way he’d still be hiding. That was impossible.

“Bryan isn’t alive,” I whispered to myself. “That’s impossible.”

I kept on saying that to myself until I fell asleep, my world was finally quiet again .

The next morning, I didn’t get out of bed. I had no motivation to move; my mind was clouded with thoughts. I picked up my phone and called my mom, asking her if Amara could pay me a visit.

“I want to speak to her…” I said softly.

“Why? She’s a lost cause. It’s sad we had to find out the hard way that she isn’t on our side,” Mom replied bitterly.

“Amara and Bryan were dating while he was alive…” I whispered, my voice trembling.

“What! Who told you that?” Her tone shot up in shock.

“Damon… who else? We’ve been meeting for a while now while he prepares for the appeal. He’s been saying a whole lot of crazy things.”

“Like what?” Mom pressed, her voice sharp with curiosity.

“I can’t say it, Mom… it’s just some stupid stuff. But can you pass a message to Amara?”

“I haven’t seen her for a while. I heard she’s out of the country. I don’t give a damn about her… our focus should be getting you out of here,” she said firmly.

“Mom… how is Jake? Have you been able to speak to him or contact him? I really want to see him. He hasn’t visited me since I left home,” I said, choking on my own tears.

“He’s a child… he’s obviously influenced by them,” she said, her voice softer now.

“So you’re saying my son thinks I’m a murderer?” My voice cracked as I asked.

“Rora, honey… he’s still a child. He’s just four. He doesn’t hate you! Don’t think about it too much.”

“Mom… would it sound crazy if someone said Bryan is alive?”

“Why do you say that? That’s ridiculous!” she snapped.

“Damon has a theory…” I murmured, my voice was barely a whisper and that was because even I was still finding hard to believe.

“What theory?” my mom asked , she didn’t seem like she wanted any suspense and I needed to speak immediately.
I swallowed hard before leaning closer to the glass, lowering my tone, I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
“He thinks…” I paused to study her expression .
“ He thinks what ?”
“ He thinks Bryan might be alive “ I finally said .
Her eyes widened, but only for a second before she shook her head.
“Rora, I know… I know it’s hard to be in a place like this. I know you’re being bullied and treated like trash, and it breaks my heart. I know you want to see your son, but that doesn’t mean you should start making up crazy stories.”