Chapitre 12: Her reaction
Caleb had expedited the court hearing, which had been scheduled only a few days after their appeal was accepted. The court proceedings were quite different from what they had experienced before. Alex had skillfully rendered Amber's confession useless due to her underage status, and a petition had been made to amend Lilian's punishment. Since this was her first offense, her criminal record couldn't be wiped clean, but the punishment had been modified to a six-month house arrest since the victims hadn't been physically harmed.
The courtroom atmosphere had been straightforward, with Alex expertly controlling the proceedings. He had transformed the courtroom into his domain, leaving the prosecution no chance. Within just four hours, the judgment had been changed, and they were headed home. The condition was that Lilian's house arrest would be at Caleb's mansion, where it was easier for the government to monitor her. An ankle monitor had been fitted to track her movements, and periodic visits from the police were scheduled to ensure she followed the rules.
However, Lilian's face didn't reflect the relief that might have been expected under these circumstances. Her expression was devoid of joy and emotion. It was evident that her thoughts were preoccupied, and her heart weighed heavy with worries about her sister. Caleb watched her closely, concerned about her fragile appearance.
"Is she home, at your place?" Lilian asked, her voice almost monotone.
"Yes, she is," Caleb replied, feeling the distance between them. "She should be with Cole now. She's excited for you to come home."
"Oh," Lilian responded, but her response lacked the warmth or enthusiasm that Caleb had hoped for. The silence between them grew uncomfortable as they continued their journey.
Caleb couldn't help but ponder the fragility of the sisters' relationship. It had once been strong and seemingly unbreakable, but now, it felt strained and uncertain. He knew that Lilian was angry, though her anger simmered silently beneath the surface.
As they arrived home, the tension lingered. Caleb knew that healing the wounds between the sisters would be a complex and painful process. Their bond had been shattered by recent events, and he hoped that time would eventually mend what had been broken.
...
Lilian's return home was marked by a sense of numbness. The courtroom proceedings had left her feeling detached as if she had been there in body but not in spirit. She recalled the events with a distant sense of detachment as if they had happened to someone else in another world.
The sentencing had been announced, and yet Lilian had given no reaction. Her mind had been a blank canvas, her heart aching within her chest. The wedge driven between her and Amber by that fateful day seemed insurmountable. She didn't harbor hatred for her sister, couldn't bring herself to, for Amber was her blood, her family. Nevertheless, the pain ran deep.
Amber, on the other hand, stood in a realm of emotional confusion. Seeing her sister standing before her, a mixture of happiness and guilt churned within her. She longed to embrace Lilian, to welcome her home with open arms, but the recent turmoil had left their relationship fractured.
Amber had depended on Lilian for support, for laughter, for tears, and for the comforting presence of a loving sister. But now, their bond had been altered, tainted by recent events. As Lilian stood before her, Amber didn't know how to bridge the chasm that had grown between them. An awkwardness hung in the air, a stifling silence.
Silently Lilian went to her room without uttering a word to her sister.
The closed door of Lilian's room loomed like a barrier between them, symbolizing the divide that now existed. Lilian's decision to ignore her sister and retreat to her room only deepened the emotional rift. They had always shared the same room at Caleb's apartment even when they had different rooms.
Caleb, who had witnessed the scene, offered words of encouragement. "I'm sure she will forgive you. She doesn't know why you did it. You just have to explain it to her."
Amber's eyes glistened with a mix of gratitude and pain. "Even if I do that, our relationship can never be the same. There are fractures and cracks now."
"You're very mature, much more than your age group," Caleb acknowledged.
"We can get through this, and it will be fine. I'll be with you every step of the way."
Unbeknownst to them, Lilian listened from her room, her emotions a maelstrom. It wasn't just about forgiveness; it was about the deep-seated hurt and betrayal she felt. Logical reasoning told her that Amber wouldn't have hurt her intentionally, but her heart and soul were wounded. She sobbed quietly, curled into herself on the floor, a profound sense of devastation weighing her down. It was a long, exhausting cry, the release of pent-up emotions that had festered during her absence.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone