"Leslie, the case is closed. It's all over. The evidence has been presented. No one will ever know it was your brother who tried to molest Laura."
"It's okay if you can't come today. Laura will be home soon, and the meal won't go to waste."
The phone call felt like a bucket of icy water dumped on my head. My blood ran cold. Every word he said was like a sharp blade, crushing my last hope.
***
I stood frozen in the doorway, a file containing the medical reports of my brother who was severely injured yet he had to be dragged into the prison, fell off the floor.
The abrupt sound drew Julian's attention at me. He looked at me with an expression that seemed more like of guilt, which soon disappeared as he walked up to me.
“The evidence against your brother was strong, darling. There was nothing that we could do," He had said, his voice calm, as if he were discussing the weather.
“He tried to defame Deccan after being caught. It’s a fact. I know you loved him, but you must accept the truth.”
He was completely unaware that I had overheard his conversation with Leslie.
"No," I felt a surge of nausea, the word a fragile defense against his accusation. "No, he didn't. He couldn't have."