Second baby

But others were suspicious, saying Arina knew something. "It's not possible for a child to walk so far alone," they murmured. It was true. How could Aurora have gone so far on her own?

"Mr. Zoe, where have you been all night?" an inspector suddenly asked, pulling me from my thoughts. His gaze was piercing, demanding answers.

I told him everything, from my trip to the hotel to my frantic attempts to reach Arina by phone.

"Mr. Zoe, we want to talk with your wife. Will you please call her here?" he requested.

I hesitated. Arina's reaction earlier had been intense, and I feared how she would respond to being questioned by the police. But I also knew that we needed answers.

I tried it a while ago but I couldn't bring her here. And I don't think so she will come now. "Sir, my wife isn't herself now, so—"

"Mr. Zoe, I know, but it's for us as well as for you. We have to talk with her now. Or let us go upstairs."

I was about to say something, but suddenly I heard Arina's voice. I looked up, and she came downstairs slowly. Everyone was shocked. How could she dress like this, wearing makeup, red lipstick, and eyeliner?

"I'm here. Ask what you want to know," she said.

That was ridiculous. I held her hand and said, "What is this, Arina?"

Arina touched my face and said sadly, "I'm sorry. I couldn't save her, Zoe."

"That was my fault. I took my baby with me because I couldn't leave her alone at home. As I was walking around, I suddenly felt someone watching me. When I was about to enter the house, someone hit me on the head, and I lost consciousness. That's all I remember. So, it's my fault. Please arrest me," she said, tears welling up in her eyes. Arina was crying and smiling at the same time. She wasn't herself. I hugged her and patted her head, "Please, Arina, stop crying."

 I told the inspector, "Sir, please... she isn't herself. You've heard everything now, please find whoever killed my daughter."

The inspector looked down and sighed. "Mr. Zoe, we will try our best."

They walked out of the room. I took Arina to our bedroom and asked her, "Honey, stop crying."

"Zoe, I killed my own daughter. Please punish me."

"Arina, relax, just relax."

I pulled her to my chest, and after a while, she fell asleep, crying. I carefully placed her head on the pillow and walked out of the room. Everyone left, and they took my baby to examine her body. I came out and went to the pond where she was found. Tears rolled from my eyes. Suddenly, someone called my name.

"Zoe."

I looked back, and Mrs. Rosalie was there. She patted my shoulder.

"Zoe, I need to tell you something about last night."

"Yes?"

"Actually, I saw the same thing that Zara saw."

My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to comprehend what she was saying.

"What do you mean, Mrs. Rosalie?"

"Last night, I went to your house after you called me. I didn't want to go there, but for you and your child's sake, I went. When I arrived, your house was completely dark. No one seemed to be there. I knocked many times, but I got no response. So, I sent Zara to the backyard. After a while, I heard her screaming and ran there. I saw someone I shouldn't have seen."

I had been listening to Mrs. Rosalie for so long, trying to process what she was telling me.

"Mrs. Rosalie, if this is true, then why didn't she harm you?" I asked her, frustration and desperation creeping into my voice.

"Because of this locket and my faith in God," she replied, clutching a small, silver locket around her neck.

"So, because of this, you and Zara were alive. What about my three-month-old baby? Why didn't He save my child?" My voice cracked as I spoke, the weight of my loss crashing down on me.

Mrs. Rosalie's eyes softened with sorrow. "Zoe, I don't have all the answers."

"Boy, you aren't in yourself now. Please listen to what I'm trying to say."

"So, you are trying to say Arina lied to us? She helped that witch, didn't she? Mrs. Rosalie, I know Arina likes to collect some weird things, but it doesn't mean she would kill or help someone to kill her own daughter," I told her angrily.

Mrs. Rosalie looked at me sadly and said, "You will know it soon. I will pray for you." Saying this, she left.

I went back home, my mind racing. Max came to see me and stayed with me all day, trying to provide some comfort.

Time does not stop for anyone. A year has passed, and I still can't get over my daughter's death. The grief is a constant, heavy presence in my life. I couldn't even consider having another child, but Arina was insistent. She wanted to have another baby, and I couldn't say no to her. Within six months, she became pregnant again.

As her due date approached, my anxiety grew. I couldn't shake the memories of what happened to Aurora, and I was determined to protect this child at all costs. 

After the loss of our daughter, I started to love Arina more than ever. I became her constant guardian, doing everything I could to ensure her safety and well-being. To provide additional support while I was at work, I hired a girl to stay with Arina and help around the house. However, after just a few days, the girl left. I hired another, but she too departed shortly after starting. When I asked why, they both said it was difficult for them to work there.

I knew that wasn't the real reason. The problem was Mrs. Rosalie. She and her caretaker were spreading rumors about our home, insinuating dark things. I understood she didn't like Arina, but that didn't give her the right to spread such malicious gossip.

Frustrated, I decided to confront Mrs. Rosalie. One night, I marched over to her house, determined to put an end to her interference. As soon as she opened the door, I let my anger spill out.