"Suggesting ideas... he told me that he suspected..." Lance's heart skipped a beat. "...he suspects Shallon Padalecki, the preacher's daughter."
"Shallon?" Lance asked. He felt somehow relieved by the response. Not back in his comfort zone, but just enough to make him feel relaxed again. "Why her?"
"During the party, Ethan said she served drinks to you and him, and he thinks that she had somehow messed with the drinks. That's why I'm asking you."
"You're saying that our drinks were laced?" Lance asked, looking confused. Pretending to look confused.
"I don't know. Because Ethan said he doesn't know how it happened but he... you know... that he did not force himself on her, on purpose at least."
"No, no, no," Lance said, shaking his head. "I was perfectly fine that day, and we both drank the same drinks from whoever served us."
"From Shallon..." Layla reminded him. "She's the one who served you."
"Whatever but no... I didn't feel anything strange that night. The drinks were okay. Layla are you sure of what you're saying?"
"I don't know Lance... that's why I'm telling you. I know my son and you have never been the best of friends, and I know it joys your heart to see him behind bars after all that has happened between you two."
"It doesn't, not at all," Lance told her, a serious look on his face.
"I'm a mother Lance, and I know what love is. As a mother and as a wife. I know you really love Elena so much and now that Ethan is out of the way, you have all the time in the world to live and love her, I know. Lance, I've known you for a long time... and I know you and Ethan... you boys, I know you have your differences, but I'm asking you today to set those differences aside. My son is in prison wrongfully and I'm coming to you today to help me to set him free."
"Set him free?" Lance asked, eyebrows conjoined in confusion. "You want me to help you set a criminal free?"
"Are you even listening to me?" Layla asked worriedly. "He says that he doesn't remember what happened. And I know you have great knowledge about biology and things related to the human body... I know you're my best shot."
"I'm not a lawyer, Mrs. Purcell," Lance told her as he walked to the gate. "Talk to your husband... and let him help you."
"You saw what happened when he tried to help Lance. You're all I have left. Shallon is your friend, help me investigate her... and if she had anything to do with this then we will bring her down, together."
Lance scoffed. "You really think I'm going to betray my friend because you have to help your son out of prison?"
"Lance please... he needs your help. He needs our help." She took his arms. "I know you hate him, and I know you don't like him at all... I know you're happily dating the woman you both fought for... I know. But he can't do this without you."
"What you're suggesting could land me and you in trouble with the Padaleckis. Are you really sure about this?"
"Yes. Let this be our thing. Don't tell anybody, yet... till we are sure. Don't tell Elena, we don't want to stress her out in the condition she is."
"The r*pe condition?" Lance asked. "So you do believe that he did rape her."
"That's not what I meant," Layla told him. "He did not rape her."
"Fine... I'll help you. But I want to know what's in for me."
"Classic Lance. Always wanting something in return." Lance smirked at her. "How about when you finish that... you'll come talk some history with me."
"Some history? What's that even supposed to mean?"
"If you really trust me... you'll come and I'll tell you something you need to know."
He sighed. "Fine... have a nice time, Mrs. Purcell."
"Have a nice time too, son."
"Don't call me son when you don't mean it," Lance told her, a cold look on his face.
Layla sighed. "Goodbye, Lance. See you soon."
As soon as he was out of the compound, Layla turned and head back to the house, her mind thrown back into the abyss of endless thoughts. She wanted to help her son as her husband was also trying his best. Paul talked with the Prison Warden in the focus of Ethan being transferred to a facility back in Seattle. But to their utmost disappointment, they found that it was going to be harder than they had anticipated. Paul had been told that Ethan needed to be in immediate life-threatening threat from Zayn for him to be considered a dangerous person. And even though they were right, a prison exchange for him was going to be hard. A lot of documentation would be needed and strict protocols would have to be followed in order for him to be granted such an opportunity. Paul had his own ways to do things, and she had her own.
When she was about the doorway, her mind came back to the present. She walked in to find Elena by herself in the large living room. She looked scared.
"Hello, there dear."
"Don't you dare dear me!" Elena responded sharply. "What are you doing here? How did you even know this place?"
"Oh, I know a lot of things Elena... believe me I do. It isn't that hard if you have the money to do so."
"Mrs. Purcell I was serious about what I told you earlier, nothing you tell me will make me think otherwise. Nothing."
"Come on, let's take a walk. It's good exercise for the pregnancy."
"What?"
"Elena, I just wanted to talk to you." Layla calmed her way into Elena's stressed mind.
"You promise you're not trying to do anything spooky to me?"
Layla laughed. "Look around Elena, I'm not the bad person here." Elena sighed as a frown formed on her face.
"Come on, take a walk with me. I'm pretty sure you haven't seen the whole compound. Your aunt surely worked on this place. Please, come on, join me."
With an uncomfortable nod, Elena stood up on her feet and followed Layla outside the house through the main door. They took a turn as they headed towards the backyard, walking at a slow pace.
"How are you, really?" Layla asked once again.
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" Layla asked.
"Yeah, I guess..."
"I know things have been on tough ends for the both of us for a long time, and I know nothing in the world can ever change what happened and led us to this moment. I know we've become more drawn apart as two families, but I want you to know this... Elena you and I are not enemies." Layla took a quick look at her. Elena was muffling her lips. "We just have a little misunderstanding."
"A little misunderstanding?" Elena responded as they came down a concrete staircase in the middle of a grass patched field. The grass was short, seeming to have been trimmed days earlier. By the far end, she could hear the sound of livestock. "Ethan raped me... and you went ahead in court trying to win over the judge with bribery, how's that a little misunderstanding?"
"I know it was horrible, I know it was. And everything that followed that horrible night. But if we hold onto our past to define ourselves, of what good does that makes us. Of what good does that make you and I?"
"Sometimes holding onto the past can help us be hopeful and prepare for a better future. Sometimes we just need to be glad for what happens and be prepared for tomorrow, for who knows what good things it might bring?" She said as she placed her hands on her belly. She was now approximately six weeks pregnant. The swollen bump wasn't there yet, but she could feel the child in her filling her up with energy and love, life not to be forgotten too.