Mistakenly Married by You

It was the first time Lucille had encountered the police seeking her out. Though internally gripped by fear, she fought to maintain composure. Clenching her fist, she took a deep breath, attempting to steady herself.

"I am Lucille Powell, Officer. May I ask why you are looking for me?" she managed to utter, her voice tinged with a tremor. She dug her nails deep into her flesh, desperate to remain composed despite the mounting dread.

The police officer explained, "We are here to investigate a report that suspects you may be connected to a pre-murder case. We kindly request your presence at the station to assist us in our investigation."

The news struck Lucille with disbelief, leaving her momentarily stunned. She could only stare at the officers in shock, the weight of the situation threatening to overwhelm her. Eventually, her legs gave way, but Ethan swiftly caught her before she hit the ground.

Wearing a stern expression, Ethan addressed the police, "Officer. I believe there must be some misunderstanding here. Lucy is a compassionate doctor. How could she possibly be involved in a murder case? Spreading such allegations would irreparably damage her reputation. I urge you to conduct a thorough investigation."

Before the police officer could respond, a shrill voice pierced through the air, interrupting their conversation. "They are not mistaken! She is a murderer!"

Lucille's gaze shifted forward, and her heart sank as she saw Claudia and Lucas stepping out of the elevator, striding purposefully toward them. Their faces were contorted with disdain.

Claudia stopped in front of Lucille, her eyes bloodshot with anger, and delivered a sudden slap without warning. Stunned and still feeling the effects of her injury, Lucille failed to evade the blow, staggering backward and clutching her cheek in confusion. Gasping, she held her reddened cheek, her mind racing with bewilderment. 'Why is she accusing me of something I didn't do?'

Reacting swiftly, Ethan caught Lucille as she almost fell, preventing further harm. Anger surged within him as he observed the palm print on her cheek and the trace of blood at the corner of her mouth. He glared at Claudia, swiftly positioning himself protectively in front of Lucille.

Consumed by fury and devoid of rationality, Claudia was determined to make Lucille suffer. She lunged toward her, intent on inflicting more harm. However, before her hand could reach Lucille's face, Ethan seized her wrist and forcefully pushed her back, using all his strength to keep her at bay.

Claudia stumbled and fell to the floor, her expression one of disbelief. Lucas rushed to her aid, glaring at Ethan, who remained unfazed by his presence.

Ethan's face, usually composed, darkened like charcoal, his jaw repeatedly clenching in anger. "Mrs. Reed, let me remind you that we are in a hospital. I can file a lawsuit against you for assaulting one of our esteemed doctors. While the Reed family may be one of the most affluent in this city, your current behavior does not befit your background. Do you really want to become tomorrow's headline?"

Claudia bit her lip, realizing the consequences of her actions. She suppressed her seething anger, mindful of her social standing. However, it didn't stop her from issuing a warning to Lucille.

"Merely being protected by someone won't shield you from legal consequences, Lucille. I will ensure that you rot in hell!" Claudia's eyes blazed with intense hatred as she glared at Lucille, wishing to tear her apart.

"Mom, you know me well! How could I possibly have killed Grandpa Ricky?" Lucille gasped, unable to comprehend the accusation from the woman she had considered her mother for the past three years. Although she and Lucas had recently divorced, it didn't negate their three years together. How could they brand her as a murderer without conducting a proper investigation?

Instead of softening her stance, Claudia's anger intensified, her ears buzzing at the mention of 'mom.'

"Don't call me mother! You are no longer my son's wife, and I refuse to acknowledge a murderer like you as my daughter-in-law! You are vile! Why did you kill him? He showered you with love, and you repaid him by poisoning him to death!" she bellowed.

Lucille felt a piercing pain in her heart as she heard hatred in Claudia's words. Tears welled in her eyes as she realized they didn't believe her innocence. Trembling, she turned to Lucas, her voice quivering as she asked, "Do you also believe that I killed Grandpa?"

Desperate to know if there was still a glimmer of trust in Lucas, Lucille searched his eyes, hoping to find some belief in her innocence. She valued his opinion because, despite the false pretense of their marriage, her feelings for him had always been genuine. The memories they shared couldn't simply vanish overnight. She hoped that he would at least have faith in her even if he didn't love her anymore.

But Lucas responded with a disdainful snigger, his gaze ice-cold as he looked at her tear-stained face. There was no trace of pity in his eyes; instead, deep-seated loathing and disgust emanated from him.

"I wouldn't have thought you capable of such a thing, but the evidence was undeniable," Lucas said, his voice filled with contempt.

Confused and desperate to defend herself, Lucille tried to speak up. "I don't-"

But Lucas cut her off, gripping a white bottle tightly as he sneered. "There's a video of you poisoning Grandpa. This bottle was found in your room, and the toxin identified matches what was found in Grandpa's body. Now, how can you expect me to believe in your innocence?"

His words echoed through the entire lobby, drawing the attention of onlookers. He pulled out his phone and played the surveillance video, further shattering Lucille's faith in herself.

Lucille refused to accept the truth of Lucas's accusations. She knew deep down that she had done nothing wrong. However, doubt began to creep in as the video played before her eyes. She watched herself surreptitiously open the bottle, take two white pills, and mix them into a glass of water, which she then gave Richard Reed. The serene expression on his face quickly turned into agony, and he collapsed, unconscious.

Shock paralyzed Lucille as her pupils dilated. She moved closer to the screen, desperately searching for any sign that someone else was impersonating her in the video, but there was nothing to suggest otherwise. The woman in the video was undeniably her.

'How is this possible?! I have no recollection of it! How could I have done such a thing?' Her mind screamed in denial, refusing to accept the horrifying truth. "No, it can't be... I didn't do it," she murmured, shaking her head in disbelief. The evidence was irrefutable, but she couldn't reconcile it with the person she knew herself to be.

Anxiety and confusion overwhelmed her, causing her legs to weaken, and she collapsed to the floor. Everything felt like a nightmare she couldn't wake up from. Just moments ago, she had discovered Lucas's affair with her sister, and now she found herself accused of a murder she had no memory of committing. Tears streamed down her face as she yearned for it all to be a figment of her imagination. She buried her face in her hands and wept silently, hoping everything would return to normal when she looked up.

But no matter how desperately she wished for it, the reality before her eyes remained unchanged. The weight of it all crushed her spirit.

Impatience flickered across Lucas's face as he observed Lucille's broken figure on the floor. His voice turned icy as he declared, "You're wicked. You killed Grandpa, who only ever showered you with love. The only way to atone for your sin, Lucille, is with your own life."

His words jolted Lucille out of her grief-stricken trance. She stared at him in disbelief, unable to fathom that he could desire her death. A lump formed in her throat, making it difficult to breathe.

"Lucille Powell, you are under arrest for the murder of Mr. Richard Reed," announced the police officer as he restrained her with handcuffs.

Lucille didn't resist, as if her spirit had been drained from her. Her eyes were empty, clouded with self-blame and confusion. "How could I have killed Grandpa?" she repeated in a dazed and broken voice.

Meanwhile, a man stood silently, observing the unfolding events at a distance. Henry's brow furrowed as he witnessed Lucille's vacant expression, her life force seemingly extinguished. A profound glimmer of determination flashed in his eyes.