My Heart Was Wounded Deep
Chapter 83's

Rey watched Kikan for a few seconds, then frowned as if she herself was hesitant. "Maybe you better wait out here. I don't know what they're gonna tell you. I can't stop them from talking and I don't want to see you hurt. I'll call you in if I can help."

" no. I've come this far. Let's see if Via can lie like before, now when I'm no longer an eighteen-year-old girl, pregnant, frantically facing a long prison sentence."

Kikan got out of the car, and Rey took his hand as they walked closer to the house.

" You don't have to hold on to me" Kikan said.

" I know," said Rey, but did not let go of his grasp.

They're not late, but everyone has been inside. It felt as if their enemies had gathered first in order to be able to carry out a joint attack.

Although his words sounded stern, Kikan realized he was clutching Rey's hand a little harder.

All eyes suddenly turned towards him. Kikan ignored the malice emanating on Logan's face and the gloomy expression of the others. He ignored Rey's mother. He is only interested in Via, who looks up but does not want to look into Kikan's eyes.

" Thank you for coming," Helen nodded towards Kikan in a stiff yet polite greeting.

Kikan nodded back but did not speak. "You both certainly remember Via" Helen gestured the tall and thin-skinned woman several seats from their seats. "I suggest we get started, get this over with as soon as possible."

Lori's mother took on the role. "Via, I know it must be hard to retell what you've been through. We've been crying over Lori on the phone together, but Helen's right. We better open it all up."

They treated Via so gently. Lori killer! Kikan couldn't believe the irony...

Via cleared his throat and shifted, but still did not speak. So Lori's mom pushed him again. "Can you tell us what happened the day my son was killed?"

Although barely visible, Kikan felt he saw Via shudder before straightening his shoulders.

" Just like I said before, in court. Nothing has changed."

Kikan had hoped to feel confident, feeling as normal as he left the security of the trailer. But all of that was lost when he observed the Via. This is the man who caused him to spend seventeen years in prison for a crime he never committed, which cost him that long with his son. While Via can waltz away without feeling the consequences of his actions, but there is a nuance of despair in Via, as if the situation is even worse than Kikan since the last time they met.

Wh why? What why? Via is still rather attractive, with long brown hair and high cheekbones. She's also well dressed. A long skirt with slippers and a beautiful blouse, whose thin arms are waving. That outfit looks still very new, which gives Kikan the impression that Via is deliberately dressing up for this meeting.

Or that he's dressed....

Kikan's thoughts go back to his belief that the Lori family paid Via to come. There must be something promised for him in this. It is not a matter of justice, it is the one who runs away from justice.

" Can you tell us the details?" ask Lori's mother. "Tell it back in order." she continued speaking in a soft voice, as if she was facing a frightened child. That way is effective enough to convince Via to tell a story . Seeing that hurt Kikan.

As soon as Via started talking, he basically told the same story he had told at the trial. Only, he did not look at Kikan while telling a story. He stopped many times, and Lori's family had to persuade him again to continue. Soon, she became so agitated that she bit the skin around her fingers and stopped asking how long she should be here before they drove her back to the airport.

"Why do you think Kikan wanted to harm Lori?" Ask the mother, once again trying to keep Via focused.

"Kikan hates Lori." It sounds like a robot. Kikan suspects he has trained in this role. "She's jealous of Lori. He wants Rey for himself."

It was the same motive that people here believed, the motive that he said prompted the murder, because everything was presented in court. Via did not add to the original story, not fabricating dialogue since they were in the car, as the Lori family had hoped. But that's all they can get from him.

Bringing Via here doesn't seem to add anything new. That's why Helen seemed frustrated when taking over. "To be fair we must also listen to Kikan's version of the story." He nodded reluctantly towards Rey. "Is there anything you want to say?"

"That's a lie, "sergah Kikan. "I don't turn the steering wheel. Via did it, and he knows it."

Via did not jump as furiously as he did in court. He's snuggled up in place.

" Why?" Helen asked. "Why did Via turn the steering wheel?"

" Let's ask him" said Kikan. "Via why did you do that? and why did you let me go to jail?"

While fidgeting, Via seemed to lose consciousness, as if he was just wasting time, and once again gave no clear answer.

" Via?" Helen urges.

Via frowned, looking a little fierce. "I didn't do it. I don't care what people say. Why would I want to hurt someone else. I'm not hostile towards Lori."

" I'm sure you didn't mean to hurt anyone" Kikan said. "It was an accident, wasn't it? What a ridiculous thing you're doing to be funny. And it turns out it's tragic."

Via shakes. "No, of course not! You wrong. He's lying" he said, showing Kikan. "I told you, he's accusing me recklessly."

Rey opened her voice. "All we want is the truth."

Via stood up unsteadily, and nearly fell down before regaining his balance. "I'm telling the truth. I can't believe you guys questioned my honesty. I don't have to sit here. I'm done. I came and told my story, just like you said. Now, who's gonna drive me back to the airport?"

" Wait," said Rey, raising her hand. "My story? That's interesting, isn't it?"

" I mean that story," Via corrected, looking a bit confused.

Rey squinted her eyes. "of course. Then maybe you wouldn't mind answering a few questions."

Via's gaze turned quickly towards Mother Lori before returning to Rey again. "What questions? I've said everything. You can't keep me here against my will!"

" We paid for your trip" Lori's mother said. "And we paid for your time, because you said you should get a job."