“What did we do to him? What else? We sent him to the police station, of course. How dare he destroy the entire place and cause trouble for us, huh? He will pay the price for his rash actions!” the man huffed angrily.
The other staff in the bus station nodded furiously as well.
Susan was stunned.
It took her a few seconds before she regained her senses.
The police station? How could that be? Didn’t I receive a text saying he has arrived safely? Why is he in the police station?
She shook her head, trying to make sense of the situation. No, that text must be fake. If someone had picked him up from the station, his dad would’ve sent me a text personally. I received the text from an unknown number. I didn’t receive any text from Sebastian yesterday.
Comprehension dawned, and her mind went blank. Without hesitation, she ran onto a bus.
“Quick, take me to town!” she said.
“Miss, the bus runs according to the schedule. It’s not your personal ride. You can’t just ask us to leave as you like,” the ticket seller reminded her.
Bursting into tears, Susan pleaded, “How much do I need to pay you? I’ll pay for the ride. Please, ma’am. I really need to go to town. Someone’s life is at stake. Please leave right now. I’ll pay you any amount you want!”
She emptied her pockets and offered all the money she had to the ticket seller.
The ticket seller was dumbfounded.
In the end, the bus roared to life and drove all the way to town.
On the way there, Susan sent a text to Vivian.
Susan: Vivi, did Ian tell you anything?
Vivian: No. He didn’t even contact me.
Susan: Did your dad tell you that he’s going back?
Vivian: No. Oh, I think I heard Daddy calling Mommy yesterday. He said Ian’s coming home soon, but Mommy told me later that he isn’t coming back.
Susan: What?
Vivian: Yeah. Don’t you know? Mommy didn’t even seem disappointed. Aunt Susan, is Ian enjoying his time with you? So much so that he had no intention of coming home?
Vivian was still as tactless as usual. She had no idea what had happened.
After reading her replies, Susan pocketed her phone. Her heart was aching, for she knew it was all her fault. He’s stubborn. I should’ve realized something was off yesterday when he took off. The calmer he looked, the worse he was doing. There was no way he’d go home obediently.
Susan arrived in town in record time and went straight to the police station.
“Officer, I need to find out if you’ve brought a young man
from Xendale here after he caused trouble at the bus station.”
“Yes, the young man is here. Who are you?” The police officer at the police station replied in the affirmative as expected.
Susan’s body shook slightly. She grabbed the edge of the table to steady herself before pleading, ‘Tm his aunt. Can I talk to him?” Her voice was trembling.
“You’re his aunt?” the police officer repeated doubtfully.
After confirming her identity, Susan was allowed entry. More than ten minutes had passed since she entered the police station.
“He’s eighteen. The law states that those who commit the act of vandalism will be detained for fifteen days. Tell him to be honest so we might reduce his sentence.”
“Yes, of course,” Susan responded hastily before rushing away.
Inside the cramped and dark holding cell, she saw a young man wearing a white shirt sitting on a chair.
He was staring at the ceiling blankly. The sight of the wounds on his handsome face caused her heart to constrict in anguish.
‘Tm so sorry, Ian”
She stood outside the holding cell and broke down after saying that.
This is all my fault. Ian was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He was adored by his family and never had to suffer. What have I done to him?
She blamed herself for being the reason he got arrested by the police. He’s an innocent young man but ended up in this state because of me.
Susan wailed her heart out. “Ian, I’ll bring you home right now.”
With that said, she left to talk to the police.
When the police entered the holding cell, he asked, “Is she your aunt?”
“I don’t know her,” the young man answered indifferently.
Susan was rendered speechless.
Her face pale, she stared at him incredulously. Even her tears had dried up.
There was nothing more despairing than his hurtful words.
He used to rely on her so much and would listen to her obediently. Alas, he was claiming that he had no idea who she was right now.
Susan couldn’t help but quiver slightly as realization struck her.
