Filed to story: The Daughter in the Shadows (Yunice) Book by Una Norris
Startled, Owen and Elsie rushed out of the study just in time to see Lily stumbling up the stairs, with two officers flashing badges behind her.
Lily ducked behind them as the police stepped forward and said, “We’re enforcing a court ruling. Ms. Lily has been sentenced to one year in prison.”
“Please come with us.”
“I’m not going to jail! I didn’t do anything! Just said a few words-why should I go to prison?!”
Owen hadn’t expected this to escalate so quickly. He tried to bribe the officers. “Please, officers, can’t we talk about this-“
One of them cut him off. “The prosecution already offered a chance for Ms. Lily to make amends. You refused to issue a public apology.”
They hadn’t thought the court would actually follow through with sentencing.
“I’ll apologize now, okay? Right now!” Lily shrieked.
But the officers gave her no chance to cause a scene. They firmly restrained her and hauled her away.
Lily screamed, “Owen! Elsie! Help me! Please, help Mommy!”
Both Owen and Elsie stood frozen, their faces pale with shock.
Only after the police car drove off did Elsie clutch Owen’s arm, voice hoarse with panic. “Owen, do something…”
Owen stood there, stunned. He had nothing. No plan. No way out.
‘s Convenience
Back when the family faced troubles, things had never gotten out of hand-at least not while Elsie was still dating Paul. If anything went wrong, a few sweet words from her would have Paul bending over backwards to solve it.
But now, freshly recovered from illness, Elsie didn’t dare face Paul. With her out of the picture, all the family burdens-big and small-fell squarely on Owen.
And Owen, proud as ever, wasn’t the kind to bow his head and beg anyone.
Elsie sobbed, “Then go find Oscar! Mom’s not just our mom-everyone needs to help!”
Right. Lily wasn’t just their mother. Oscar and Yunice should take responsibility too.
With that thought, Owen headed to Oscar’s office, hoping to persuade him to talk Yunice into asking Wyatt for help.
If Wyatt pulled some strings, Lily’s sentence could be lessened-or even wiped away entirely.
Still wearing his lab coat, Oscar didn’t even pause from his work. His tone was frosty. “I already told you – I’m done getting involved in your mess.”
Owen snapped, “Mom’s not just my mom! You’re the eldest! She raised you the longest-how can you just abandon her?”
“I gave you advice,” Oscar said flatly. “You refused to take it.”
If they’d apologized when they had the chance, this wouldn’t have escalated into jail time.
Owen trailed behind him, raising his voice. “So now you’re playing the wise man after the fact? It’s already happening-shouldn’t solving the problem be the priority now?!”
Oscar swirled a test tube, unfazed. “If you think the court was wrong, file an appeal. If you think it’s unfair, go protest. But don’t shout at me – I’m not a judge or a billionaire. I can’t help you.”
“…” Owen avoided the test tube Oscar was carelessly waving and insisted, “Fine. I’m not asking you to do much. Just call Yunice. Maybe she’s changed her mind.”
“I’ve already tried. Can’t get through.”
Oscar glared at him for half a minute, realizing that if he didn’t cooperate, Owen would wreck his lab just to make a point.
With a sigh, Oscar shook off Owen’s grip and dialed.
Owen leaned in eagerly to listen.
The line rang a few times before someone picked up.
Oscar cut straight to the chase. “Yunice, Owen insists on talking to you. Want to take the call?”
Without waiting, Owen grabbed the phone from him and blurted out, “Yunice! Mom’s been taken by the police. They say she’s been sentenced to a year in prison!”
“You’re her daughter too. You know Dad loved her the most when he was alive. If he could see how cold you’re being to your own mother, how disappointed do you think he’d be…”
A cold chuckle interrupted him from the other end – Wyatt’s voice. “Funny how she’s ‘your mom’ when it’s convenient. The moment something goes wrong, suddenly she’s just her mom. Real clever.”
Owen froze the moment he heard Wyatt. His voice stiffened. “I was trying to reach Yunice.”
“She’s busy,” Wyatt said coolly. “You can talk to me.”
“… Busy? Too busy to pick up a phone? Or is she just ignoring me and using you as a shield?”
Leaning against the wall, Wyatt’s smile was cold. “You really are full of yourself.”
Owen stiffened. “I’m her brother. Don’t I have the right to call her?”
Wyatt’s voice dropped. “So it’s all about rights for you? You get the benefits, but you skip out on the obligations. Is that it?”
Owen’s brow furrowed. “That’s ridiculous. I’ve tried to bring Yunice home and take care of her. She refused. Is that somehow my fault now?”
“Fake support is giving someone a meal,” Wyatt said. “Real support is understanding their pain-and helping them out of it. Have you ever done that?”
Owen felt even more baffled. “What hardship hasn’t she overcome? Yunice’s life has always been smooth. She’s had it better than any of us! Even I have to bow and scrape to her now – what struggle could she possibly have?!”
Wyatt’s tone turned icy. “Paul abused her for ten years. Did you know that?”
Oscar’s gaze shot to Owen.
Owen frowned and went silent for a moment. He recalled some of Yunice and Paul’s past, but finally said, “Paul never abused her. They were young. Maybe they crossed some lines, but it was mutual. You can’t call that abuse.”
Wyatt asked sharply, “So you do know Paul touched her?”
Owen’s expression darkened. “Everyone in the capital knows. You mean you didn’t?”
Wyatt pressed further. “Then when Yunice asked you for help, what did you do?”
Owen stared back. “When did she ever ask me for help?”
“Did she ever tell you that she never slept with Paul? That it was all just Paul spreading rumors?”
Owen sneered at the question, letting out a cold chuckle before firing back at Wyatt, “She told you that too, didn’t she? That’s Yunice for you-always saying one thing and doing another. Even if she’s done it, she’ll swear she hasn’t. She just loves playing the victim. I’ve seen her do it too many times…”
Oscar immediately sensed something was off. He snatched the phone from Owen and spoke directly to Wyatt. “Mr. Wyatt, what exactly are you saying? Is there more to the story? Did you find something?”
Wyatt’s voice was sharp and cold. “Shouldn’t you brothers know best if there was more to the story?”
Oscar’s voice darkened. “Mr. Wyatt, I mean it-I want to know. Please tell me.”
Wyatt answered flatly, “If you want the truth, ask the man himself. You’re all so close, right? If you can get a straight answer out of him, maybe we can talk about Lily’s case.”
Before either of them could respond, Wyatt ended the call.
Then he turned toward the exam room door.
A moment later, Joe stepped out. “Sir.”