Justice Over Blood

On New Years Eve, the police came for me.

Outside, fireworks lit up the night sky.

My fathers star protg, Liam, had just posted online: Thank you, Professor Redding. For choosing justice over family, for not shielding your own daughter.

I thought it was a joke.

In the holding cell, bruised and desperate, I gripped the bars. Dad, I didnt push her. I was framed. Youre the best lawyercant you defend me?

A cold voice came through the glass. Aurora, youre grown. Face what youve done. The victim is Liams mother.

My father spoke calmly, without warmth. I am a leader in law. As my daughter, I cannot appear to favor you. If I defended you, what would people think?

He paused. Ive already agreed to serve as Liams counsel. I will ensure you face the consequences and reflect on your actions.

I looked down at the indictment. I understand. I wont trouble you any longer.

My voice was empty. Ill confess. Then you wont have to worry about appearances.

In the interrogation room, I signed the confession.

This time, I didnt tarnish the gavel of his justice.

New Years Eve.

Two officers escorted me from the house. The front door of our villa stood open, my father, Arthur Redding, framed in the doorway. Liam stood beside him, clutching his sleeve.

Professor, Im sure Aurora didnt mean it, Liam pleaded, his voice thick with false concern. Its New Years Eve, dont let them take her away like this

Arthur shook Liams hand off and looked at me, his face a mask of stone. That is precisely why she needs to learn a lesson she wont forget.

He gave a sharp wave of his hand.

Take her away.

An officer shoved me forward, and I was bundled into the back of the police car. Just before the door slammed shut, I saw my father clap Liam on the shoulder and turn back into the warmth of the house.

Thirty minutes earlier, Liams mother had lunged, her head cracking against the corner of a table. I had reached out to catch her, but Liam screamed that I had pushed her.

My father didnt even look at the security footage. He just called the police.

As the car pulled away, I looked back. The lights of our home vanished into the darkness.

In the detention center, I curled into a corner, a searing pain in my chest. My congenital asthma flared up, each breath a blade scraping against my ribs.

The other inmates were gossiping about the trending topics online.

Check this out. The great Arthur Redding, turning in his own daughter.

Yeah, wouldnt even shield his own kid. Sent her to prison himself.

Justice? Sounds more like cold-blooded to me.

What do you know? Thats what you call a pillar of the law.

Someone held up a phone. Liam just posted again.

She read it aloud. Thank you, Professor, for choosing justice over family. My mother was harmed by my senior, but the professors impartiality has shown me the true warmth and strength of the law.

The comments were a flood of praise for Arthur Reddings integrity and unwavering principles.

A tickle started in my throat, and I coughed up a spray of bloody foam. I grabbed the bars and shook them with what little strength I had left. Guard I need a doctor.

The guard ambled over, nightstick in hand. You again? Trying to get special treatment?

My ribs are broken cough asthma

The guard sneered. We just got a call from Mr. Liam.

I froze.

He said youre good at playing the victim. Told us to ignore you, the guard continued. Mr. Reddings orders are to let you reflect. A little hardship will teach you a lesson.

He turned and walked away. Stop faking it. Any more trouble and its solitary for you.

I slid to the floor.

Liam.

The pain in my lungs was excruciating, my breathing ragged and shallow. I pulled out my necklace, opening the locket to the tiny photo of my mother inside.

Mom I whispered. Dad for the sake of his reputation, for Liam hes really abandoned me.

My consciousness started to fade, replaced by a desperate, rasping struggle for air.

The next day, Arthur came.

He sat on the other side of the glass, immaculate in his tailored suit, his hair perfectly coiffed. A document lay on the table before him.

I was half-carried, half-dragged to the chair by two guards. I lifted my head, my prison uniform soaked in cold sweat, my hair plastered to my forehead.

Dad I didnt push her. Theres security footage at the house. My voice was a broken whisper. Just look at the camera in the living room

Arthurs brow furrowed, and he slammed his hand on the table.

Aurora!

The sharp sound from the receiver was like a spike in my eardrum. You are a grown woman! Have the courage to admit what youve done! Liams mother is still in the ICU. Hes collapsed from grief multiple times. And all you can think about is saving your own skin?

He pointed at the document. I am a pillar of the legal community. I despise deceit. You are my daughter, which means I must be even more scrupulous! If I defended you, if I went looking for footage, what would people say? That I fabricated evidence for my daughter? If I showed favoritism, how could I maintain my standing?

He pressed the document against the glass. I have accepted the prosecutions request to act as Liams legal counsel. I will personally see to it that you have time to reflect. This is a confession. Sign it, and you might get a lighter sentence. Dont force me to testify against you in open court.

I stared at the confession form. Every word on it had been drafted by my own father. To avoid impropriety, he was nailing the crime to his own daughter.

Dad. I tried to smile, but a trickle of blood ran from the corner of my mouth. If I sign this, your reputation is safe? You wont be in a difficult position anymore?

His jaw tightened. Thats not your concern. You made a mistake, and you will pay the price. That is the principle.

Fine.

I picked up the pen, my hand trembling as I wrote my name: Aurora Redding.

As the last stroke fell, a sudden emptiness hollowed out my chest. A mouthful of blood erupted from my lips, spattering the confession and the glass partition.

Arthur recoiled, his face a mask of disgust. Stop the theatrics. Save that act for the judge.

He collected the blood-stained document, wiped his hands with a handkerchief, adjusted his tie, and turned to leave. Reflect on what youve done. Dont contact me before the trial.

I watched his retreating back as my vision faded to black.

That night, the heating in the detention center was shut off.

I curled up on the cot, clutching my locket. I heard a guards voice outside the door. Mr. Liam said a little cold would clear her head.

The chill seeped into my bones. The broken ribs felt like they were piercing my organs. My breathing stopped.

I remembered when I was a child, being bullied in the schoolyard. Arthur had stood in front of me, a towering shield. Dont be afraid, Aurora. Daddy is a lawyer. I will always protect justice, and I will always protect you.

Liar.

You protected justice. You just murdered me to do it.

My hand went limp. The locket slipped from my fingers, clattering onto the concrete floor.

Dad, this time, I wont make things difficult for you. You dont have to worry about appearances anymore.

My consciousness sank into darkness.

And then, I was floating. I saw the girl named Aurora, curled up on the cot, completely still. Her eyes were open, staring at the door. I tried to close them for her, but my hand passed right through her body.

Oh. Im dead.

It wasnt cold anymore. It didnt hurt.

I floated in the air, watching as the guard kicked my corpse. Hey, get up! Stop playing dead!

He checked for a pulse, then scrambled back, falling to the floor in terror. Shes shes dead!

I watched the scene unfold with a strange sense of calm.

See, Dad? I wasnt acting.

The first day of the New Year.

The lights were bright in the legal news channels studio. I floated behind Arthur as he walked onto the set. He sat under the spotlights, his expression grave.

The host began. Mr. Redding, on New Years Eve, you personally handed your daughter over to the authorities. It caused quite a sensation. Did you struggle with that decision?

Arthur adjusted his glasses. Before the law, all are equal. Even if she is my daughter, she must be punished for her crimes. As a legal professional, I cannot undermine the integrity of our justice system. That is a line I will not cross.

The audience erupted in applause.

I hovered above his head, watching him bask in their admiration, the irony a bitter taste in my non-existent mouth.

Liam was sitting in the front row, wearing a new navy-blue suit. It was a New Years gift Id bought for myself with three months of internship savings. Id never even had a chance to wear it.

Now it was on him, a perfect fit.

After the interview, Arthur walked out with Liam.

Liam smoothed the cuffs. Professor, this suit is a perfect fit. He sighed dramatically. Aurora always had good taste. Its a shame that now shes

Arthur snorted. Dont mention that ungrateful girl. The suit looks much better on you. If only she were half as sensible as you are.

I stood there, watching my father adjust Liams collar. A sour feeling churned inside me. I used to ask him to fix my collar, but he would always push me away. Dont be so familiar. We must maintain a professional distance. I cant have people thinking I spoil my child.

I see now. He didnt hate spoiling a child. He just hated spoiling me.

Back at the house, Arthur called for the housekeeper. Clear out Auroras room. Make space for Liam.

The housekeeper hesitated. Sir, what about Miss Auroras law books, her trophies where should I put them?

Arthur loosened his tie and sank onto the sofa. That was all for show. Shes in prison now, whats the use of keeping them? Throw them in the basement.

A triumphant smirk flickered across Liams face.

The housekeeper sighed and returned with trash bags. I followed her into my room. Liam was already there, rifling through my bookshelf.

A copy of Criminal Law Theory fell to the floor, a bookmark slipping out. It was a gift from Arthur ten years ago. On the flyleaf, he had written: May my daughter, Aurora, always be a partner to justice.

Liam picked it up, glanced at the inscription, and sneered. A partner to justice? How ironic. He tossed the book carelessly into a trash bag.

I stood beside the bookshelf, watching him throw my life away, piece by piece. I wanted to scream, to push him away. But my hands passed through him, creating only a faint breeze.

He shivered. Why did it suddenly get so cold?

On the sofa, Arthurs phone rang. The caller ID was the detention center. He glanced at the screen and declined the call without a second thought.

Its from Auroras facility again, he said to Liam. Shes probably demanding to see me, or faking an illness to get medical parole. He shook his head. Ignore it. She was spoiled rotten. A little hardship is what she needs.

At that exact moment, at the City Third Detention Center, an ambulance had arrived. A doctor examined my body and shook his head. Time of death is over four hours ago. Cause of death appears to be a tension pneumothorax from a rib fracture, leading to asphyxia and cardiac arrest.

The warden was sweating. Mr. Redding isnt answering his phone The inmate is dead, the family has to be notified!

Keep calling! the chief guard roared. And call Liam! Hes a party to the case, call him!

Liams phone rang. He glanced at the screen and stepped out onto the balcony to answer. I floated after him.

Hello? What? In shock? Sent to the hospital? Liams voice was low, then he deliberately raised it. Officer, my professor is in the middle of a major case. Hes very busy. Please dont bother him with trivial matters. Theres no need to send her to a major hospital, shes just faking it. She faked fainting during her last physical assessment, too. Just splash some cold water on her face, shell wake up.

He hung up and deleted the call from his history.

Returning to the living room, he poured Arthur a cup of tea.

Who was that? Arthur asked.

A telemarketer, Liam said smoothly.

Arthur nodded and took a sip of tea. Then he dialed his financial manager. Freeze Auroras supplementary credit card and her study abroad trust fund. All of it. Not a single cent. I want her to learn that without me, she is nothing.

Yes, Dad. Without you, I really am nothing. But its okay. I dont need any of those things now.

Outside, firecrackers popped and fireworks bloomed across the sky.

And I was lying in a cold drawer in the city morgue.

Dinner was served. Dumplings. Liam placed one in Arthurs bowl. Professor, have a dumpling. Happy New Year.

Arthur smiled. It was the first genuine smile Id seen from him in days. Happy New Year.

I watched, numb, and whispered to the empty air.

Happy New Year, Dad.

Liam moved into my room. He found the box in my drawer. Inside was my mothers last gift to me: a vintage, leather-bound law codex. It was a family heirloom Arthur had entrusted to my care.

Liam took it out, snapped a picture, and posted it. The master passes the torch. I will cherish it. The responsibility of justice is now mine to carry.

The likes poured in. Liam, youre incredible! Looks like Professor Redding sees you as his successor!

Half an hour later, our family friend, the lawyer Mr. Davies, burst into Arthurs office.

Arthur looked up from a brief, annoyed. Frank, youre old enough to know better than to barge in here.

Mr. Davies slammed a phone on the desk. Then he pulled a thermos from his bag and slammed that down too.

Arthur, are you insane? Sending Aurora to jail is one thing, but youre giving away her mothers keepsake to an outsider? He pointed to the thermos. Do you even recognize this? Aurora bought it for you with her first months internship pay! She said you had a sensitive stomach and went all over town to find it!

She texted me saying her ribs hurt! I tried to visit, but you signed a no visitation order! I couldnt get in!

Arthur glanced at the thermos, his gaze flickering for a second before hardening again. He stood up, smoothing his cuffs. You dont understand. When I was young, I was accused of favoritism in a case involving a relative. It nearly destroyed my career. I will not allow the same thing to happen a second time. Especially not because of my own family.

His voice was like steel. To avoid impropriety. I am Liams counsel. Letting Auroras friend visit her? What would the media say?

Mr. Davies was trembling with rage. To hell with your impropriety! Arthur, youre a murderer! Aurora would never push anyone! Did you check the dashcam? Wasnt your car parked in the driveway?

Arthur froze. His car had been parked facing the living room window. The camera would have captured everything. But hed never thought to check. Liam had already provided the video evidence.

I floated behind him, screaming into his ear. Check it! Dad, Im begging you, check it! The truth is right there! Just press the button and youll know Im innocent!

Arthurs fingers hovered over his car keys, rubbing the fob. The evidence is conclusive. Frank, please leave. If you persist, Ill call security.

Mr. Davies pointed a trembling finger at him, his eyes red. Fine. Arthur, you remember this day. Dont you dare come crying to me when youre on your knees.

He stormed out, slamming the door.

Arthur sat back down, staring at the ceremonial gavel on his desk. He picked up his keys and went to the garage.

Inside the car, his finger rested on the button for the dashcam footage. One press, and the truth would be revealed. I sat in the passenger seat, my entire being focused on that finger.

Liams call came through the cars speaker. Professor, Ive revised the indictment. Is there anyone else we need to add to the guest list for the celebration dinner tonight?

Arthurs finger paused mid-air. He pulled his hand back and started the car. No, thats everyone. Im heading back to the firm now. Lets not talk about unpleasant things anymore.

The car rolled out of the garage.

In that moment, my heart turned to ash.

The fourth day of the New Year.

The chief medical examiner, Dr. Peterson, was an old classmate of Arthurs. The moment he saw my body on the autopsy table, his scalpel clattered to the floor.

Aurora?!

He immediately called Arthur. No answer. He tore off his white coat and raced to the villa. After ten minutes of ringing the bell, Liam opened the door.

Dr. Peterson grabbed him, his eyes bloodshot. Wheres Arthur? Get him out here! Dont you know someone is dead?!

Liam averted his gaze. Uncle Pete, the Professor is preparing for a major case and isnt seeing anyone. Whats wrong?

Aurora is dead! In the detention center! Dr. Petersons voice shook. Get your professor and come with me to identify the body!

Liams face paled, but he quickly composed himself. He leaned in close. Uncle Pete, thats not a funny joke. My senior just called and screamed at me a little while ago. She sounded full of energy.

Impossible! The body is at my morgue

It must be someone with the same name, Liam insisted, pulling out his phone and playing a recording.

My voice filled the air. Liam, you just wait! When I get out of here, Ill kill you and your mother!

It was a line from a play we had rehearsed years ago, which he had secretly recorded.

Liam sighed. You hear that? Does that sound like a dead person? My senior is just trying to force the Professor to see her. If he finds out you were fooled, hell be angry.

Dr. Peterson listened, stunned. He let go of Liam. Alright. As long as shes okay. Just have your professor call me back.

Liam closed the door and sagged against it, gasping for breath. He ran upstairs and knocked on the study door. Professor, Uncle Pete was here. He said Aurora sent a message with him. Said shes dying in there and wants you to save her.

Arthur was writing a closing argument. The nib of his pen tore through the paper. He took off his glasses, rubbing his temples. Pete is falling for her games too? I knew she was faking it. Shes been using that trick since she was a child. Now shes using death to manipulate me? Outrageous! he fumed. Ignore her. Let her stay there until she learns her lesson.

He took a fresh sheet of paper and continued to write, adding another line to the list of my alleged crimes.

I floated in the corner of the study, watching him. A laugh almost escaped my lips.

Dad, even in death, you wont believe me, will you?

The fifth day of the New Year.

Unclaimed bodies are cremated after the legal deadline. Dr. Peterson looked at the tag on the morgue drawer that read Aurora Redding and sighed. If Arthur said it was a fake, then it must be someone with the same name.

Proceed with the cremation, he said, signing the form.

I was wheeled towards the incinerator.

The flames roared to life, consuming my body.

It was so hot.

But I felt nothing.

I was Aurora, but I wasn't her anymore. I was just a wisp of consciousness, attached to a package that had just been mailed.

At a grand hotel, Arthur was hosting a charity gala for his legal aid foundation. Liam, wearing my suit, adjusted his tie in the mirror and smiled.

Dont blame me, senior. Youre dead anyway. It would be a waste to let these opportunities go.

A package arrived at the front desk. The sender was me. I had mailed it three days before I died. Inside was a backup of the dashcams memory card and a letter for my father.

Liam glanced at it and tossed it into the pile of corporate gifts.

At 7 p.m., the ballroom was filled with guests. Arthur entered with Liam on his arm, graciously accepting compliments. The large screen behind the stage lit up, ready to play the promotional video.

Deep within the pile of gifts, my package lay in waiting.

I floated above it, watching everything unfold.

Dad, this is the last gift Ill ever give you. Youd better be ready to receive it.