(People In Their Lives)

Mariana sobbed uncontrollably, collapsing into her car. The raw agony of her grief resonated deeply in Caitlin's ears. Caitlin, her personal assistant, felt a wave of helplessness wash over her. Despite Alton's strict prohibition against contact with Calum, she was compelled by Mariana's distress, her hand instinctively reaching out to comfort her. She gently stroked Mariana's back, drawing her head to her shoulder, whispering soothing words intended to quell the emotional storm engulfing her friend. The intensity of Mariana's anguish was evident in the cascade of tears streaming down her face.

"Mariana… it's alright, it's alright," Caitlin murmured softly, her voice a soothing counterpoint to the turmoil.

Mariana's words were laced with bitterness and betrayal. "He's a monster, Cait. How could he? How could he deceive me, make me believe in his love, in my love for him? He's a liar! A despicable liar!" Her sobs intensified, her body wracked with emotion as she clung to Caitlin's arm.

Mariana's distress was a chaotic blend of emotions. She wasn't sure what fueled her tears; a mixture of hurt, confusion, and profound sadness. Her mind felt numb, empty, yet her heart ached—a painful fullness born of the insidious lies that had nearly convinced her of his veracity.

Caitlin's voice, though tinged with sadness, held a resolute tone of reassurance. "He won't escape justice, Mariana. He will answer for his actions. Please, try to stop crying. You're being too harsh on yourself. That man, that villain, doesn't deserve your tears. We should be celebrating his capture, laughing, rejoicing! You're getting married; we have so much to be thankful for. I can't bear to see you suffer like this. I want you to find peace."

Caitlin's own emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Witnessing Mariana's slow unraveling was agonizing. She yearned to instill hope, to offer the assurance that brighter days lay ahead, that there was much to anticipate with joy.

Mariana sat up straighter, finally dabbing away her tears. "Our wedding's been postponed, Cait," she said, her voice still shaky but gaining strength. "Alton and I decided to postpone it until after we resolve the case concerning my kidnapping and ensure that wicked man is imprisoned for life."

A sense of calm began to wash over Mariana. Caitlin's words had kindled a spark of hope. She desperately needed things to improve, to reclaim her sense of self before despair consumed her entirely. The ordeal had been crushing, but with Caitlin's support and care, she felt a flicker of resilience emerging from the depths of her despair. The future remained uncertain, but Caitlin's steadfast presence, and the promise of justice, offered a fragile yet vital lifeline to Mariana.

After Mariana left, Calum remained in the room. The police were doing nothing to return him to his cell, seemingly waiting for someone. Calum was certain his next visitors would be the Director or the Director's best friend, Trae—not exactly a welcome prospect. He might like it more if the police simply forgot he was still there, as he wasn't in the best state to speak to anyone, especially those two.

His sadness and disappointment lingered; in fact, they had never truly subsided. The silence in the room only intensified his pain. He had once loved silence, but now the quiet only amplified the sound of his own heart breaking, his spirit crumbling.

His outward appearance remained unchanged, but internally, a chaos of unwanted emotions raged. Mariana's words, tears, and presence earlier were the cause. She was the reason he looked like such a fool, a role he hadn't chosen. While he was lost in these thoughts, he heard the door open again.

He heard Trae and Jack talking as they entered and stood before him.

"Oh, hey there, buddy!"

Trae grabbed his shoulder and shook it, a gesture that seemed both happy and angry. His father merely watched; they were never that physically close to do the same thing Trae did.

"I've spoken to the judge and the attorney," Jack said, clearing his throat.

"The trial will go as planned. Calum, just cooperate and deny the kidnapping. We'll give you a script to memorize. Unfortunately, Morant's attorney is proving impossible to bribe."

Trae's laughter interrupted Jack.

"I'm pretty sure Morant paid his attorneys enough to bribe yours."

He laughed maniacally, continuing, "You have a formidable love rival, Calum. He's incredibly wealthy! God damn it!"

Jack turned to Trae, tapping his shoulder.

"I get it, Trae. That's funny."

Calum couldn't deny their shared dislike of his father and that's Trae's laughter; they always made the same face in response—a face of annoyance.

"If I weren't friends with the jury, they might have been bought off, too," Jack added after Trae's laughter subsided. Alton was indeed both wealthy and ingenious.

"This case shouldn't be bothering us; it's a minor issue. I don't understand all the drama. I never knew you were this foolish when in love, Cal."

Trae laughed again, while Calum and Jack stared at him, annoyance etched on their faces.

"What?" Trae asked, noticing their expressions.

"Nothing, you never change. You still annoy me from head to toe," Jack said, a genuine smile on his face. It was good to see his friend hadn't changed, despite everything they'd been through.

"The only person who's changed in this room is this man," Trae said, pointing at Calum, who simply shifted his gaze between his father and Trae. Calum wasn't happy about his involvement.

"Damn, he was so in love! Look, he wouldn't have dared wear that beautiful bracelet unless he willingly did so after meeting that woman," Trae said, his smile widening as he enjoyed teasing Calum, referring to the handcuffs as his bracelet.

Calum was far from amused. He stood, walked near the door, and shouted, "Hey, cops! Get me out of here!"

It was almost a plea to escape those two men, whose constant presence made his blood boil. They were adding to his already unbearable emotional burden. He couldn't take it anymore. Trae laughed continuously, and his father chuckled along, seemingly amused by his friend's humor.

***