A'ishah's POV

Two days before Maxine's judgement.

The next day, I found myself standing in front of Nicole’s grave.

The cemetery was quiet, the kind of silence that felt heavy rather than peaceful. A cool breeze swept through the air, rustling the leaves above me, but I barely noticed. My eyes were fixed on the name carved into the cold stone in front of me.

Nicole Mendoza



I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing out a breath. “Hey, Nicole.” My voice was softer than I intended, almost hesitant. “It’s been a while.”

I crouched down, tracing the edges of the marble, letting my fingers rest against the letters of her name. The weight of her absence settled deep in my chest, as heavy as it had been the day I found out she was gone.

“I could really use your help right now.” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “You always had a way of fixing things, of keeping me from screwing everything up.” I let out a humorless laugh. “But now, I’m just… lost.”

The wind picked up, brushing against my skin, and for a second—just a second—I almost felt her there. Like if I closed my eyes, she’d be sitting beside me, nudging my shoulder with that knowing smirk of hers.

I exhaled shakily, pressing my fingers against my forehead. “Maxine’s trial is in two days, Nicole. Two days, and I still don’t have enough to clear her name.” My throat tightened. “If you were here, you wouldn’t let this happen. You’d fight for her the way you always fought for me.”

I let my hand drop, staring at the gravestone as if it could somehow answer me.

“I miss you.” I admitted, the words slipping out like a confession. “More than I ever let myself say.”

Nicole had been my anchor. The one person who had stood by me through everything, who had never once doubted me even when I doubted myself. Losing her felt like losing a part of my own soul, and no matter how much time passed, the ache never really went away.

“I wish I could talk to you. Really talk to you.” I whispered. “Because I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing anymore. I don’t even know if I have the right to fight for Maxine after everything I’ve done.”

The wind blew again, softer this time, almost like an answer.

I closed my eyes, gripping the fabric of my coat. “I know you’d tell me not to give up.” I murmured. “I know you’d tell me to keep fighting for her, no matter what.”

A shaky breath left me as I stood, looking down at her grave one last time. “I just wish you were still here to tell me yourself.”

I wiped at my face quickly, clearing my throat. “I’ll figure it out, Nicole.” I promised. “For you. For her. Just… keep watching over me, alright?”

The silence that followed wasn’t empty.

Somehow, it felt like she was listening.

I let out a slow breath, my fingers brushing the edges of Nicole’s gravestone one last time before I straightened up. The air felt colder now, or maybe that was just the weight of everything pressing down on me.

“I’m going to visit your parents after this.” I told her, my voice quieter now. “I just… I want to check on them. Make sure they’re okay.”

I exhaled sharply, my hands clenching into fists before I forced them to relax. “They miss you, Nicole. So much. Every time I see them, I can feel how much they’re hurting.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “And I feel like I’m lying to them.”

My chest tightened with guilt.

“They think I’m doing everything I can to get Maxine convicted.” My voice wavered, and I closed my eyes for a second, gathering the strength to say what had been eating at me for weeks. “But the truth is… I know she’s innocent.”

I looked up, as if I could see Nicole standing there, arms crossed, giving me that unimpressed look she always did when I took too long to say something obvious.

“I’m not doing this for Maxine.” I added quickly, as if that made it any better. “I mean, I am, but—” I sighed, shaking my head. “I’m doing this because it’s the right thing. Because the real person who did this is still out there, and they need to pay for what they did to you.”

My voice cracked at the last part, and I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my emotions in check.

“I just… I need you to guide me, Nicole.” I murmured. “Because I feel like I’m betraying your parents. I know they want justice for you. I know they’re hurting. And it kills me that I can’t give them what they think they need.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, hard.

“But I can’t let an innocent person take the fall. Even if it’s what everyone else wants.”

The wind rustled the trees above me, and for a fleeting moment, I swore I could hear Nicole’s voice—calm, steady, the way she always was when I was spiraling.

“You’re doing the right thing.”

I exhaled shakily, nodding to myself. “I hope so.”

I took a step back, glancing at the grave one last time.

“I’ll see you soon, Nicole.”

The moment I stepped onto the familiar front porch of the Mendiza household, the door swung open before I even had the chance to knock.

"A'ishah!"

Nicole’s mother, warm and familiar, pulled me into a tight embrace. I barely had time to react before she held me like I was her own daughter, her arms wrapped around me with a desperate kind of relief.

“Oh, sweetheart, it’s been so long.” She murmured, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m so glad you came.”

I swallowed hard, pushing down the lump in my throat.

I shouldn’t be here. Not when I was lying to them.

But I hugged her back anyway, squeezing her gently, inhaling the scent of home-cooked meals and the lingering perfume Nicole’s mom always wore. It reminded me too much of Nicole. Of those months I lived with them, late-night talks, and the way she used to roll her eyes whenever her mom doted on us.

Nicole’s father approached next, his face lighting up with an unmistakable warmth. “Look at you.” He said, his voice carrying that deep, fatherly tone I had always found comforting. “Still working yourself to the bone, I bet.”

I forced a small smile. “You know me, Tito.”

He patted my shoulder firmly. “It’s good to see you, hija.”

The affection in his words made my stomach twist painfully.

They didn’t just see me as Nicole’s best friend. I was family to them. And yet, here I was, deceiving them, allowing them to believe I was building a case against Maxine when, in truth, I was trying to clear her name.

Because Nicole wouldn’t want this.

Because I knew, deep down, that convicting an innocent woman wouldn’t bring their daughter back.

But I couldn’t tell them that.

So instead, I gave them the only truth I could offer.

I stepped back, looking between them with a steady gaze, despite the guilt clawing at my chest.

"Everything’s going to be alright," I promised softly. "I’ll make sure of it."

Nicole’s mother cupped my face gently, her eyes searching mine. “You’ll get justice for her?”

I placed my hand over hers, my grip firm.

“I’ll serve the right justice for Nicole.” I said, my voice unwavering.

It wasn’t the answer they wanted.

But it was the only one I could give.

Nicole’s mother smiled at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face, her touch so tender it almost broke me.

Her father, ever the quiet and steady presence, reached out and patted my head. A small, familiar gesture he used to do when Nicole and I were younger, whenever we did something right, whenever we needed reassurance.

As if he was telling me it was okay.

I forced another smile, though it felt weak. “I should get going.” I said softly, stepping back.

“Oh, stay for lunch, sweetheart.” Nicole’s mom said quickly, gripping my hand. “It’s been so long since we’ve had you over. I can cook your favorite—”

I shook my head gently, squeezing her hand before letting go. “I wish I could, but I have something important to do.”

She looked disappointed, but she nodded, understanding.

Nicole’s father simply said, “Take care, hija.”

I swallowed the guilt rising in my throat and gave them one last look before I turned and walked away.

I didn’t dare look back.

Because if I did, I wasn’t sure if I could keep pretending I wasn’t betraying them.

The moment I stepped into the Board of Pardons and Parole office, I forced myself to keep my composure. This was my last shot. If they rejected the petition, I’d lose a crucial piece in proving Maxine’s innocence.

I presented my case again, my voice steady, my arguments sharp. I emphasized Alverson’s behavior, his cooperation, and the inconsistencies in his past conviction. I laid everything out, every single reason why he deserved another chance, why his release wasn’t just fair but necessary.

The room fell silent as the board members deliberated. My hands curled into fists under the table, nails digging into my palms as I fought the anxiety creeping into my chest.

Then, finally, the chairman spoke.

“After reviewing all the necessary documents and considering the arguments presented, the board has reached a decision.”

I held my breath.

“We approve the parole request for Mr. Alverson Miranda. He is scheduled to be released tomorrow.”

A rush of relief flooded through me, but I kept my expression neutral, only allowing a slow nod. “Thank you.”

As I walked out of the room, my heart pounded. This was a win, but the fight wasn’t over.

Tomorrow, Alverson would walk free.

And with him, the truth would finally come to light.

The night was quiet, but my mind was restless.

I sat by my office’s window, staring at the city lights, fingers wrapped around a cup of tea that had long since gone cold. The thought had been lingering in my mind since I left the Board of Pardons and Parole… should I see her?

Maxine.

I wanted to. God, I wanted to. Even just for a second.

But would she even want to see me?

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head at my own foolishness. Of course not. She hated me. I made sure of that. I let her believe I betrayed her, left her when she needed me most. It was the only way to protect her from the weight of my own decisions.

Yet, despite everything, I still wanted to go.

Just to see if she was okay. Just to hear her voice, even if it was full of anger.

My hands trembled as I placed the untouched tea on the table. I could go now. I could slip into the night, find my way to where she was being held, and just… be near her.

But what would I even say?

Would she even look at me?

I sighed, leaning my head against the window. Maybe it was better this way. She was safer hating me. Safer believing I was the villain in her story.

And yet, my heart ached with the urge to see her just one more time.

Oh, fuck it!

I should see her.

The thought dug into my mind, relentless and unshakable. It was reckless, maybe even selfish, but I couldn't ignore it anymore. Tomorrow, everything will change. Alverson would be free, and Maxine’s case would take a turn. But right now? Right now, she was still locked inside that goddamn cell, and I needed to see her.

I didn't even realize I had grabbed my coat until I was already stepping out of my office, heading straight for the prison.

The moment I arrived, my nerves hit me full force.

I had fought criminals in court, stared down arrogant prosecutors, and handled cases that had the weight of life and death in my hands. And yet, standing in the visitation area, waiting for the guards to bring Maxine out, my hands wouldn't stop trembling.

What was I even supposed to say?

Sorry? Would that even be enough?

Before I could spiral any further, a loud commotion erupted from inside the main hall. Shouting, the sound of trays crashing.

“Si Colonel na naman ‘yan! Putangina, ang hilig makipagsuntukan!” One of the Jail Officers yelled, irritated.

My blood ran cold.

Maxine.

I didn't think. I didn’t hesitate. I just ran.

The scene before me made my breath catch in my throat.

Maxine was on the ground, blood dripping from her mouth, her jaw bruised. A man stood above her, fists clenched, ready to strike again.

I saw red.

I moved before I even processed it.

“Maxi!”

Her name left my lips like a prayer, frantic and desperate. She turned her head, her hazel eyes locking onto mine, wide with something I couldn't decipher. Surprise? Pain?

I stood frozen just outside the cell block, my breath uneven, my fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms.

A woman. Tall, confident, moving with familiarity toward Maxine. She knelt beside her, touching her shoulder, whispering something too soft for me to hear. And Maxine, gosh! Maxine let her. She leaned into that touch, her gaze softening just enough to make my stomach twist with something ugly and bitter.

Jealousy.

I knew I had no right to feel this way. I was the one who left. I was the one who let her believe I betrayed her. And yet, the sight of another woman close to her, tending to her, caring for her the way I used to, it cut deeper than I expected.

I forced myself to move, stepping outside the prison, the cold night air hitting me like a slap. I paced the length of the sidewalk, hands shoved into my pockets, my mind in turmoil. I shouldn't be here. I should leave before I did something reckless.

But I couldn’t.

I stopped in front of the entrance, staring at the ground, heart pounding. I needed to see her again. Even if she hated me. Even if all she had left for me was anger.

So I turned back.

I asked to see Maxine, knowing damn well that this would be a mistake. And it was.

The moment she stepped into the visitation area, I could feel the weight of her fury. She didn’t even need to speak; it was written all over her face, in the tight clench of her jaw, the coldness in her hazel eyes.

And then I told her.

Alverson was being released tomorrow.

Her reaction was immediate. The anger that had been simmering beneath the surface exploded. She lashed out, not physically, but her words cut just as deep. She accused me, demanded answers I couldn’t fully give, and accused me of playing games with her life.

I wanted to explain. I wanted to tell her that this was the only way to prove her innocence, that I was doing this for her.

But she didn’t see it that way.

To her, I had just handed freedom to the man she despised most.

Her anger burned into me, and I took it. Every word, every accusation, every ounce of resentment she threw at me, I accepted it all.

Because I deserved it.

Because I knew this moment would come, and still, I had chosen to face her anyway.

But that didn’t make it any easier.

By the time she stormed out, leaving me alone in the cold, sterile room, I felt hollow. Like I had just carved out a piece of myself and left it there with her, knowing she would never take it back.

I had expected her anger. I had even prepared myself for it. But knowing it would happen didn’t make it hurt any less.

And as I finally walked away, I told myself this would be the last time. I wouldn't come back. I couldn’t come back.

Because no matter how much I wanted to be near her, no matter how much it killed me to see her like this… Maxine didn’t need me anymore.

The next day came like a storm I wasn’t prepared for.

One day.

That was all the time Maxine had left before her judgment. One day before the court decided whether she would walk free or be condemned to years behind bars.

And I wasn’t about to waste a single second.

I arrived at the prison before dawn, the cold air biting at my skin as I leaned against my car, waiting. The sky was still dark, the world quiet, but inside, my thoughts roared like a restless tide.

I had no time left. Maxine had no time left.

I shoved my hands into my coat pockets, forcing myself to stay composed as the heavy gates groaned open. Then, finally, Alverson walked out.

He moved with a lazy confidence, stretching his arms as if savoring his first breath of freedom, before his sharp gaze landed on me. His smirk was immediate, smug and knowing.

"Attorney. Didn’t think I’d get a personal escort."

I ignored his teasing, keeping my expression blank. This wasn’t the time for games. Without wasting a second, I turned on my heel, motioning him toward the car.

"Get in. We’re going straight to the Intelligence Group’s office."

Alverson chuckled, but to my relief, he didn’t argue. He slid into the passenger seat, settling in like he had all the time in the world, while I took the wheel and drove.

Inside the car, he didn’t stop talking. Teasing me about my serious demeanor, making comments about how I should at least act happy that I got him out. But I wasn’t in the mood to entertain his nonsense.

I kept my grip firm on the wheel, my gaze locked on the road ahead.

I didn’t care about his freedom. I only cared about what he knew.

And I was going to make sure he spilled everything before it was too late.

The moment we stepped into the Intelligence Group’s headquarters, all eyes turned to us. Officers, analysts, and agents paused what they were doing, their gazes flickering between me and Alverson.

I expected it.

What I didn’t expect was Gwyneth storming toward me, her brows furrowed in both confusion and suspicion.

She didn’t even greet me before cutting straight to the point. “Why the hell is he with you?”

I didn’t answer immediately. I didn’t have time for explanations. Without breaking stride, I kept walking toward Jana’s office, motioning for Alverson to follow.

Gwyneth wasn’t done. “Where’s Jana? Does she even know about this?”

Her tone carried clear distrust, and I couldn’t blame her. Alverson wasn’t just some random ex-convict. He was deeply tied to the very case that had led to Maxine’s arrest, to the Miranda case, to the tangled mess of secrets we were all trying to unravel.

I kept my expression composed, my steps quick and purposeful as we made our way through the hall.

That was when I noticed it.

Alverson had gone silent.

I glanced at him from the corner of my eye and caught the way his entire posture had shifted—tense, alert. His usual smugness was gone, replaced by a sharp glare directed at someone ahead.

Following his line of sight, I saw John and Jeremy.

The twins stood near one of the briefing rooms, their conversation pausing as they locked eyes with Alverson. Their expressions mirrored his—cold, guarded, and laced with something deeper.

And not in a way that spoke of mere familiarity.

The air between them was thick with unspoken tension, something unrelenting and edged with old wounds.

I almost asked.

Almost.

But I brushed it off just as quickly.

Of course, there was tension. John and Jeremy had been involved in the investigation that put Alverson behind bars. Whatever grudge they had against each other was tied to the past, and right now, I couldn’t afford to focus on that.

I have a mission.

And I wouldn’t let anything, not old grudges, not suspicions, not even my own emotions get in the way.

The moment Jana looked up from her desk and saw who I had brought with me, her brows shot up in surprise.

I had expected that.

She knew I had fought for Alverson’s release. Knew that I believed his testimony was the key to uncovering the real story behind Maxine’s case. But knowing it and seeing it happen were two different things.

Still, it wasn’t just Alverson’s presence that made her tense, it was what I said next.

I wasted no time. “He’s going to use the metadata from the Intelligence Group’s body cams, the ones I requested days ago.”

Jana blinked, processing my words.

Then her expression hardened. “You’re letting him access classified information?”

The disbelief in her voice was obvious. And I understood why.

Even though Alverson had been granted parole, he was still, at least in their eyes, a criminal. A son of one of the leaders in the Cobra Organization with a past too dangerous to ignore. Letting him anywhere near such critical evidence was a risk.

I met Jana’s gaze head-on. “He knows better.”

She didn’t look convinced.

Alverson, on the other hand, looked amused. He leaned lazily against the edge of her desk, crossing his arms. “You wound me, Lieutenant. After all we’ve been through, you still don’t trust me?”

Jana shot him a glare. “Damn right, I don’t.”

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. We didn’t have time for this. I understood her hesitation, but we needed answers, fast. Maxine’s judgement was tomorrow.

I was about to argue further when something shifted in Alverson’s expression. His teasing demeanor vanished, replaced by something sharp and focused.

He had noticed something.

Following his gaze, I turned to the corner of Jana’s desk, where a small, polished piece of wood rested beside a stack of case files.

It was the piece of wood I recovered from the Cabin. Even Jana wasn't sure what it was. But Alverson?

The second he laid eyes on it, he stiffened. His fingers reached out, tracing the smooth surface with a familiarity that made my stomach twist.

Then he spoke, voice lower than before. “This isn’t just a random piece of wood.”

Jana frowned. “Then what is it?”

Alverson let out a breath, his expression unreadable. “It’s a knife handle.”

The air in the room shifted.

Jana and I exchanged glances, but before either of us could speak, he added something that sent a chill down my spine.

“Not just any knife. This is custom-made, specifically for a leader of the Cobra Organization.”

Jana stared at him, then at the handle, as if seeing it for the first time.

And me? My heart pounded.

Because if what he was saying was true… then this case was far bigger than we had ever imagined.

~~~

Thank you for reading! 💛

AN: Again, I will publish another chapter later at 7 PM to make it up to you for not publishing last night. ☺️