3

Elara looked out of the expansive bay window in her apartment, watching the lively city below. The Manhattan skyline, once a source of familiarity and energy, now appeared distant and overwhelming. The city that had once represented her achievements now felt unfamiliar and filled with obstacles.

All that she had worked for seemed on the verge of collapse. Despite her efforts to reach her current position, she felt a sense of impending failure.

Her phone’s endless beeping pierced through the silence, pulling her from her thoughts. She ignored the calls, unwilling to speak with anyone. Each ring felt like a reminder of the chaos swirling around her life.

When the phone buzzed for the tenth time, she finally walked to the nightstand. Her heart sank at the sight of her mother’s name flashing on the screen. Of course, she’d seen the news, and could be deeply worried.

Since her father’s death, her mother had struggled with both grief and health issues, unable to cope with the loss. Memories of a simpler time flooded Elara’s mind—her family once happy and whole, her father’s laughter filling their tiny home.

Her early life was filled with hardships but also with moments of joy. Despite being poor, they lived happily without greed. They were content with whatever they had until their father fell ill and needed money for surgery. But because they were so poor and couldn’t afford it, they lost their beloved father to the cold hand of death. The death of her father left the family in a state of deep sorrow and financial instability.

As her mother’s health declined rapidly, their struggles increased with mounting medical bills and emotional stress. Elara, feeling the burden of responsibility, became determined to turn their fortunes around and prevent such a tragedy from happening again. She made a vow to never be poor again. Little did she know that they would set her up.

The ringing phone brought her back to the present. She hesitated before answering. “Hello, Mother?”

“My beloved Elara, you must be suffering so much.” Her mother’s voice was soft, filled with concern.

“You must have seen the news, mother?”

“Yes, my daughter. I have seen it. Everything,” she answered gently.

“Mother, do you believe me?" Elara’s voice trembled, the pressure of the situation threatening to overwhelm her. “That I didn’t do it.”

“Of course I believe you. I know my daughter would never do something like that. Someone else must be behind this. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Mother. Trust me. I will get to the bottom of this matter,” she said, trying to reassure both her mother and herself.

“I trust you,” her mother said with a sigh. “Don’t let the news get to you too much. You’ll get through this.”

Hearing her mother say this made her want to cry. She clenched her teeth. Whoever was behind this should hide themselves well, or else, if she caught them, they would suffer and regret ever crossing her.

“How is James?” she asked, changing the topic.

“He’s fine, but he’s worried about you,” her mother replied.

“The firm is doing everything in its power to clear my name,” she assured her ailing mother. “Please, try not to worry.”

“I’m glad to hear that. Take good care of yourself, dear.”

“I will, Mother. Goodbye.”

Elara hung up and set the phone down, exhaling slowly. Before she could fully compose herself, it rang again. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the caller was from an unknown number.