The flight was delayed again and again due to the heavy rain.

I changed my phone number and finally got to reach Jeff.

"Jeff, Spike is my younger brother."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line, and then he said, his voice indifferent, "Ella, think before you lie."

"I'm not lying." I tried to steady my breath. "A week ago, I made a reservation at a restaurant just to tell you that I had found my brother. I wanna talk to you about holding a..."

"You really have to go all out just to deal with Kay?" he interrupted me coldly. "Ella, be kind, OK? You're a mom, too, and you have a daughter. Don't you know how unfortunate it is for a girl to experience such a thing?

"The abuser should be punished by law, no matter how old he is, how good he is in school, and how bright the future is, still, it cannot hide the fact of his crime."

I listened to his increasingly angry tone, pinching my palm.

"What right do you have to convict him? What evidence do you have to prove it? Are you going to reverse right and wrong based on a few words from Kay and Ava?"

"No girl will falsely accuse someone at the cost of her reputation, let alone Ava.

"The law will do her right.

"Whether he's your brother or not, it doesn't change anything. Stop wasting your time."

His cold voice made me instantly speechless. I couldn't utter a word at all.

I looked at the scars on my palm that hadn't completely healed yet.

I actually forgot the pain before the scars healed.

Why am I still thinking about going to Jeff?

Because he's my husband?

Because we've been together for so many years and are family?

No. None of these are important.

What's important is his client is Kay, the one he loved when he was young.

I know what he did for her back then.

I can't believe I still have hope. I think that given we've been married for years, at least he will be fair and impartial.

I'm so delusional.

Of course, he's gonna seek justice for his Kay. Of course, he believes in Ava, her daughter. Of course, he will do everything for them.

He has promised Kay.

Spike Wade, my brother, will rot in jail.

He's a top lawyer who has never failed, and I'm sure he can do it.

But Spike doesn't deserve it.

He is such an outstanding young man.

He works so hard, and he is so excellent, sensible, and kind.

Why should he be sacrificed just so Kay can be with Jeff?

Kay wants Jeff, doesn't she?

Fine. She can have him!

I called Kay.

I told her that as long as she withdrew the lawsuit, I'd divorce Jeff.

She could be his wife.

"Ella, what are you talking about?" Kay said righteously, "Ava is the victim. I won't accept any exchange conditions.

"You got me and Jeff wrong. He is my lawyer.

"Ella, I know you don't have confidence in your marriage, but can you look at yourself for reasons? Stop thinking the worst of me again and again. I've got limited patience, you know. I'm not some pushover.

"I'm just asking Jeff to help me with the lawsuit. Please, Ella, I..."

"Why are you pleading with her?" I heard Jeff's voice.

"Ella, don't make things difficult for Kay.

"Stop making things up. I know he's not your brother. And don't use this as an excuse to obstruct justice. And don't harass my client time and time again.

"Ella, this is my final warning. If you cause trouble again, I will show no mercy. I will get back at you with the law."

"Jeff, this is the first and last time I warn you. Keep your hands off Spike, or I will never forgive you!"

Jeff seemed stunned, and I hung up the phone first.

I suddenly felt dizzy.

Overwhelming despair engulfed me, and I couldn't suppress the panic no matter what.

I knew what Jeff was capable of.

He could break down a criminal's psychological defense with his words.

He could use various inducements to make one fall into his trap.

But Spike was just an innocent teenager.

His foster parents were an honest and kind rural couple. All he wanted in life was to study well and earn money to pay for his mother's medical treatment.

I knew why he was falsely accused.

He took away Ava's opportunity to study abroad.

And Kay wanted to become Mrs. Burke.

Both Kay and Ava would be beneficiaries.

Yet Jeff was suddenly no longer that professional lawyer. He chose to take Kay's side because she was the one he loved.

The plane finally could take off.

I boarded the plane with a high fever, and all the way, I was in a daze, with a strong palpitation.

A bad feeling kept me frightened and uneasy.

I had a nightmare.

In the nightmare, Jeff was cunning and treacherous, with a sharp tongue, pushing Spike into a desperate situation, and in the end, Spike couldn't even speak incoherently.

Spike's face turned pale, and large beads of sweat rolled down. He was staggering.

Kay and Ava sat in the audience, feeling relieved and vindicated.

Jeff took advantage of his victory and continued to ruthlessly question Spike.

Spike was pushed to the point of emotional breakdown, and he confessed.

Jeff loosened his tie and looked at Kay in the seat.

Their affectionate eyes met.

The judge found Spike guilty of aggravated assault and sentenced him to life in prison.

"Jeff, thank you," Kay said with red eyes. "I'm so grateful to you."

"Mr. Burke, thank you. My mom and I want to invite you to a meal," Ava said.

Jeff smiled and agreed.

At the same time, Spike jumped down from the roof.

The scream got stuck in my throat, and I opened my eyes abruptly, drenched in cold sweat.

It was a dream.

Fortunately, it was just a dream.

I found a lawyer who was more famous than Jeff. His name was Alban Castro, and he had arrived in Seattle and had met Spike.

He said he was very confident about this case.

Maybe everything would work out for the best.

I kept comforting myself.

But the fear deep in my soul kept overwhelming me.