SOPHIE'S POVI stormed down the hallway with my heart pounding with frustration and resentment. I have always resented Tristin, my half-brother, for the way he had treated me when we were growing up. He was the golden child, always favored by our parents, while I was the afterthought, the child from our father's second marriage that never quite fit in.I entered my room and I slammed the door shut, trying to block out the chaos brewing in the house. I paced back and forth, my mind racing with conflicting emotions. Tristin's arrest had sent shockwaves through their family, but for me, it was more than just a shock—it was a vindication of everything I have felt about him.Sitting down on my bed, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my thoughts. I knew my parents were blinded by their love for Tristin, but I couldn't ignore the evidence staring them all in the face. Tristin had always been reckless, impulsive, and capable of anything when he was younger. Could he really have committed
SOPHIE'S POVBut then, a flicker of doubt crossed my mind. Could Tristin really be capable of murder? Despite their rocky relationship, I have never seen him exhibit such violence. Memories of their rare moments of being real siblings flashed before me— a shared laugh at a family gathering, a genuine compliment he had once given me on my achievements.I clenched my fists, torn between loyalty to my family and the unsettling doubt in my heart. "What if I'm wrong?" I whispered, feeling a pang of uncertainty.My phone buzzed with a text from my best friend, urging me to meet up. Taking a deep breath, I wiped away a stray tear and replied with a quick "On my way." I needed to clear my head, to sort through the chaos of emotions swirling inside me.As I stepped out of my room and passed by the study door, I hesitated. Through the crack, I could hear murmurs of strategizing, voices filled with determination. My parents were standing by Tristin, ready to fight for his innocence.I closed my
SOPHIE'S POV"You think that's clouding your judgment?" Eva asked gently."Maybe," I admitted reluctantly. "But I can't shake this feeling that there's something we're missing, something that could prove his innocence."Eva nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Let's keep digging. Maybe there's a detail we've overlooked, a lead we haven't followed up on. Together, we can figure this out."I nodded gratefully, a flicker of determination sparking inside me. "Thanks, Eva. I needed to hear that."We spent the next few hours huddled over Eva's laptop, poring over news articles, witness statements, and any other information they could find. As we sifted through the details, I felt a sense of purpose rekindled. I might not have all the answers yet, but with Eva by my side, I was determined to uncover the truth— whatever it might be.As me and Eva sifted through the information late into the night, we discovered a discrepancy in the timeline presented by the prosecution. A witness statement the
SOPHIE'S POVDays passed with me and Eva tirelessly combing through information, following leads, and questioning anyone who might have a connection to the crime. We spoke to witnesses, reviewed security footage, and even dug into Tristin's past for any potential motives or enemies. Despite their efforts, concrete evidence remained elusive."I don't get it," I muttered, frustration evident in my voice as we sat in Eva's apartment, surrounded by scattered notes and half-empty coffee cups. "There has to be something we're missing."Eva leaned back in her chair, her brow furrowed in thought. "I know. It's like we're so close, yet every lead turns into a dead end."I rubbed my temples, trying to ward off the growing headache. "What about the night of the murder? Did anyone see Tristin there? Anything unusual?""We've interviewed everyone who was at the party," Eva replied, flipping through her notebook. "No one saw Tristin near the scene of the crime. But that doesn't change the fact that
SOPHIE'S POV"Eva, do you think this will be enough?" I asked, breaking the tense silence in the car.She glanced over at me, her eyes reflecting the same mix of uncertainty and optimism. "It's strong evidence, Sophie. This witness and the security footage could be exactly what we need to cast doubt on the accusations."I nodded, my fingers tapping nervously against my knee. "I just hope the lawyer sees it that way."We arrived at the lawyer's office and rushed inside, breathless but determined. Tristin's lawyer, a sharp-witted woman named Ms. Collins, greeted us with a raised eyebrow as Eva handed over the folder. She wasted no time in reviewing the contents, her expression growing more serious with each page she turned."This changes things," Ms. Collins finally said, looking up at us with a hint of cautious optimism. "If we can verify this witness's account and authenticate the security footage, we might have a solid alibi for Tristin."A wave of relief washed over me, tears threat
SOPHIE'S POV"Were planted," Ms. Collins interjected firmly, her gaze unwavering as she explained the evidence in detail.Mr. Thompson scrutinized the documents, his expression unreadable. My heart sank as moments stretched into eternity, fearing he might dismiss our efforts despite the compelling evidence."This changes things," Mr. Thompson finally conceded, handing back the folder. "But it doesn't prove innocence."Eva spoke up, her voice steady with conviction. "We're asking for a fair investigation. The evidence suggests someone framed Tristin. We need time to uncover the truth."Ms. Collins leaned forward, her tone earnest. "Give us that chance, Mr. Thompson. If you proceed without considering all the facts, you risk an injustice."Silence filled the room, tension thick in the air as Mr. Thompson deliberated. My breath caught in my throat, praying silently for a chance to prove Tristin's innocence."I'll review the evidence," Mr. Thompson finally relented, his tone cautious yet
TRISTIN'S POVEva stood beside them, her eyes bright with unshed tears. She approached me with a tentative smile, reaching out to take my hand in hers. "Welcome back, Tristin," she said softly. "We did it."I nodded, overwhelmed by the sight of my family and Eva standing together, their unwavering support a beacon of hope throughout the darkest moments of my life. "Thank you," I managed to say, my voice catching with emotion. "I couldn't have done this without all of you."Ms. Collins, my lawyer, approached with a stack of paperwork in hand. "Tristin, we have some formalities to take care of," she said with a small smile. "But then you're officially a free man."I nodded, following her to a quiet corner where we completed the necessary paperwork, signing my name with a renewed sense of purpose. As I handed back the pen, the weight of false accusations and imprisonment lifted off my shoulders, replaced by a newfound determination to reclaim my life.Stepping back outside, I took a deep
TRISTIN'S POV“I think she’s supposed to be a cat?” Eva guessed, holding her sides.Sophie froze mid-pose, glaring at us. “I’m a lion, obviously.”“Well, that’s not what it looked like,” I said, wiping tears of laughter from my eyes.“Next time, I’ll just stick to something simple,” Sophie grumbled, though she couldn’t hide her smile.As the evening drew to a close, I felt a deep sense of contentment. The past few weeks had been a nightmare, but tonight, surrounded by laughter and love, it felt like a distant memory.“Thanks for everything, guys,” I said, my voice sincere. “I couldn’t have gotten through this without you.”Mom pulled me into another hug. “We’re just glad you’re home, Tristin.”“Yeah, even if you do have terrible taste in music,” Sophie added, her teasing tone softened by the warmth in her eyes.I grinned. “I missed you too, Soph.”The next morning, I woke up early, the familiar buzz of anticipation filling me. Today, I was returning to work. It felt surreal, stepping