Perhaps out of guilt, my mother organized an extravagant funeral for me. Just as she was about to deliver her speech, a group of police officers suddenly burst in.
They marched straight towards Alice. Then, the lead officer flashed his badge and said, “Miss Alice, you are suspected of murder, conspiracy, and solicitation of murder. Please come with us.”
My mother was stunned and frantically rushed down from the stage to block the officers. “Excuse me, there must be some mistake! My child is very well–behaved!”
I looked at Alice in disbelief.
A young police officer overheard my mother’s comment and raised an eyebrow. Then, he rolled his eyes and said, Madam, there’s a high possibility that she is the one who killed your daughter and grandchild. You’re not only obstructing justice but also protecting a suspect.”
Then, he glanced at my black–and–white photo displayed prominently and said pitifully, “It’s tragic that you don’t care about your own daughter but are so eager to protect her murderer.”
“Mind your words!” The lead officer shot a warning glance at the younger officer.
I was shocked when I heard those words.
Everyone fell silent and was looking at them in confusion, waiting to understand what was happening.
My mother seemed to be dumbfounded by the young officer’s words. Her voice trembled as she stammered, ” What did you just say?”
The lead officer continued, “Ms. Summer, you are suspected of hiring a hitman. There is substantial evidence of financial transactions between you and the driver involved in the incident.
“It has been confirmed that Miss Alice paid the driver 30 thousand to cause the car accident that resulted in the death of Vanessa. The evidence is irrefutable, so please do not interfere with law enforcement.”
My mother suddenly slapped Alice in a fit of frenzy. Then, she lunged at her and screamed. “You b*tch! How dare you harm Vanessa? Haven’t I treated you well enough?”
The scene was in chaos as the police struggled to separate the two.
“How could you be so heartless, Alice? Didn’t we treat you well as a family?” my mother shouted hysterically, still questioning her.
Alice looked disheveled, with scratches on her face. At that moment, she seemed to stop with the act as she laughed maniacally. “How ridiculous of you! When your daughter was alive, you scolded her and never believed her. A single lie from me had you beating her senseless!
“For years, she never lied or did anything wrong at home. Yet, in your eyes, she was still a wicked person! Now that she’s dead, you come to mourn her. I bet she died happy.” Alice’s expression twisted with malice as she glared at my mother, her eyes red with rage.
When she noticed that my mother was trembling, she said with vindictive satisfaction. “Maybe she wanted to die all along! After all, what was there to live for?”
Then, her gaze swept over my mother, father, and even Liam, who was still in shock.
“A mother who always favors one child, a father who never speaks up, and a husband who likes someone else. I did this for Vanessa’s sake! What was there for her to live for? Why should she have to endure these hardships?
