LANA'S POV
PRESENT
We spent most of the night going back and forth about how what he was about to do was reckless and would only hurt him in the long run. I tried to convince him to change his mind. I couldn't let him rot away in jail. That's not the way I want him to g
He needs to be out here with me, so I can make him pay. So I can make him suffer, slowly watch him as he crumbled into nothing, begging for death to come before I'll grant him his very wish
But I won't be able to do that if he was behind bars, in police custody "Why can't you just listen to me?"
"There's nothing else to say. My mind's already made up" He argued walking towards the kitchen to grab a drink from the fridge
"I already told you that I don't blame you for my sister's death. Mistakes happen. You don't have to throw your life away" I stormed after him
He sighed deeply, placing the bottle of water on the dining table. "You might not blame me but I blame myself. The guilt and the fact that I'm here–hiding away has been eating me alive. I've been branded a fugitive and the longer I keep running, the worse it'll get for me, for my image and my company"
"They already believe you did it. The moment you turn yourself in, they'll lock you up and you'd never get out. Why can't you see that?" At this point I was practically yelling at him
He made to speak but he held himself back. We stayed in silence watching the hours tick by till the sun rose. The light from the sun crept through the windows, casting its glow on my face. I squinted my eyes, trying to readjust the focus. I slept off on the couch after my fruitless back and forth with Xavier
He remained motionless in the couch opposite, sleeping peacefully until the knocks from outside the front door sent us both rising to our feet
"It's time" He said, walking towards the door
"You don't have to do this" I said, my voice barely above a whisper
"I actually do" He opened the door, allowing Mr Anderson in, followed by another police officer.
"Good morning Lana, Xavier. Are you ready?" Mr Anderson said
Xavier turned to face, his eyes almost teary "Yes I am" He turned to face Mr Anderson, stretching out both hands to the officer
"You're under arrest for the murder of Eva Summers. You have the right to be silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law-"
I watched as Mr Anderson read his rights while the other officer slapped the handcuffs onto his wrists. So part of me was partly satisfied with the sight of him getting arrested but it was only a temporary feeling.
I didn't want him arrested. I needed him dead
"Do you understand these rights that I've read for you?" Mr Anderson asked him. He nodded before turning to face me
"I loved Eva but I guess my love wasn't enough to keep her alive" He said to me, before he was led outside the apartment
I rushed over to the couch picking up my phone and soaking frantically
"Hello! Yes, they just took him away" I said
***
Over at the police station, I sat down at the other side of the table while I watched Mr Anderson work, typing into the computer in front of him. This table was buried with files and paper work he seemed busy attending to, instead of focusing on the issue at hand
"Gsn you tell me what we can do to get him out?" I asked calling his attention from the screen in front of him
"Well-" He started to speak but was interrupted mid sentence
"Sorry for coming in late" Lionel said, walking over to the table "Traffic was crazy"
"Nice of you to join us, Mr Cross" Mr Anderson said looking rather displeased to see Lionel "I see you're here alone"
"Terrace had to stay behind at the office to manage a couple of affairs" Lionel said, wearing a smug smile on his face "Could you please continue with what you were about to say"
"Well" He resumed "Until we can find any evidence to prove that he didn't commit the crime, he's going to remain in confinement
"Do you think he's innocent?" Lionel asked
"I want to believe he is, but then, the heart of man is naturally wicked. I've known Xavier from when he was a child and he was a very playful and honest child but I cannot use that as a yard stick to judge his character now as an adult. He claims to be innocent so the case would be reopened and further investigations would be carried out" Mr Anderson stated, stacking a couple of files to the side
"With you on the case I'm sure sooner or later we'll get to the bottom of this" Lionel said, rising to his feet "Can we see him?"
"Not right now. You can come in another time" Mr Anderson responded, rising after Lionel as they shook hands
"Why can't we see him now?" I asked looking rather confused
"Well for one he's not allowed to have any visitors. I hope you can understand" Mr Anderson said
"I'll be on my way" Lionel said turning to leave as I followed loosely behind him
He pulled out his phone, typing a text when I caught up to him "I thought you two were best friends"
"We are" He arched a brow looking at me
"You didn't seem so sad that he was behind bars" I folded my hands across my chest
"Crying won't get him out of there" He responded coldly "If you'll excuse"
He turned to leave, pulling his phone over his ear "We need to talk" I heard him say before he was out of hearing distance