A week earlier, the prison authorities had informed the Lawson family about her release date.
Back then, Daniela still carried a small hope. No matter how much the Lawson family despised her, she thought they might show her a little dignity because they shared the same blood.
Reality proved otherwise. Not a single member of the Lawson family had appeared.
A trace of coldness settled in Daniela's eyes as she accepted that no one was coming for her.
In the Lawson family's eyes, she was nothing more than a convenient scapegoat. Why would anyone be waiting to welcome her home?
Just as she was about to head back toward the city, the deafening roar of an engine suddenly sounded behind her.
A bright red Lamborghini approached her like a raging flame. With a sharp screech, it came to a stop directly in front of her and blocked her way.
Slowly, the tinted window lowered. The face that came into view had appeared in her dreams countless times over the years. Now, however, it only filled her with fear.
It was Erik Oliver. The man who had once been her fiance.
A pair of sunglasses covered his eyes, while a dark and cold expression rested on his face. "Get in," he said in a low voice.
Daniela's heart slammed against her chest.
She never imagined that Erik would personally come to pick her up.
Throughout those five years, he had never once visited her. Not a single letter she sent ever received a reply. Because of that, she had always believed he despised her completely.
Could his appearance today mean he was finally willing to hear her side of the story?
Her hands shook as she pulled open the car door. In a raspy voice, she asked, "How is Madeline?"
Five years ago, Khloe Lawson, the non-biological daughter raised by Daniela's parents, had caused a traffic accident while driving at high speed. Madeline Oliver, the niece Erik cherished the most, had been injured because of it. In the end, Khloe pushed all the blame onto Daniela, the biological daughter the Lawson family had only recently found.
Without warning, the car surged forward. The force threw Daniela hard against the seat.
"And you still have the audacity to bring up Madeline?" Erik's voice cut through the air like a freezing winter wind. Every word carried deep hatred. "Daniela, five years have passed. Don't tell me you still refuse to admit what you did."
The speedometer climbed higher and higher.
Color drained from Daniela's face as she gripped the handle beside her tightly. "Erik, please slow down. Just listen to me. I wasn't responsible for what happened that day. Khloe was the one behind it. She tricked me into..."
"Enough!" Erik suddenly turned toward her. "Khloe almost died trying to save Madeline! And what did you do? You hit her and ran away. You destroyed Madeline's future! She's still lying in the ICU like an empty shell, yet you're still trying to blame Khloe for everything?"
"I'm telling the truth! There weren't any surveillance cameras there that day. They worked together to frame me!" Daniela's eyes reddened as she desperately tried to defend herself.
"Frame you?" Erik let out a mocking laugh. "Everyone witnessed what happened, and you're still trying to deny it?" With a sharp movement, he jerked the steering wheel. The car immediately drifted across the highway.
Daniela's head struck the window with a heavy thud.
Erik saw how miserable she looked, but not a trace of sympathy appeared in his eyes. "Daniela, do you really think I came here today because I still have feelings for you? I'll make you understand one thing. A murderer like you doesn't deserve a second chance."
Ignoring the pain pounding through her forehead, Daniela felt dread rising inside her. "Where are you taking me?"
"Today is the day I'm getting engaged to Khloe." Erik spoke slowly and clearly, making every word hit Daniela like a knife to the heart. "In front of all the elite families in Kladbert, you'll kneel before Khloe and admit everything you've done. If your attitude is good enough, I might consider showing you some mercy and leaving you a way out."
His cruel words struck Daniela hard, and a cold feeling spread through her entire body.
She had lost five years of her life in prison for a crime she never committed. During those years, she endured endless suffering and humiliation. Yet Khloe, the person truly responsible, had taken her family and was now taking the man she loved as well.
"You're really getting engaged to her?" Daniela asked, disbelief filling her voice.
"What other choice is there?" Turning toward her, Erik looked at her with open disgust, as though she were something worthless. "Do you actually expect me to forgive you and marry someone like you? Daniela, those five years in prison were what you owed Khloe. They were also what you owed the Oliver family. And from this day forward, I'll make sure your suffering continues."