"I have proof, Laura. I saw it myself," he said, pulling a flash drive from his pocket. "See how he is fitting the camera in Lesley's bathroom. It's a shame, but it’s the truth."
"How did you get this?"
"Were it you... Who submitted the forged evidence?"
I snatched the USB drive from him with trembling hands and asked in disbelief.
Julian's face reddened, a feign rage in his eyes as he asked, "Laura, what's wrong with you? How could you put such a vile accusation on me?"
"You have turned so blind in your brother's love that you can't differentiate right from the wrong."
My blood ran cold on his response. I wondered how perfect he had been in lying that not even his eyebrows furrowed saying all this to me.
"What about me, Julian?" My voice trembling in rage, "He... He tried to touch my private parts. Do you think I'm lying to you?"
Julian’s face sank. He replied, his voice cold."Deccan was drunk, Laura. He did not intend it."
"Did not intend it?" I snapped back, "And the goons he sent after my brother, and the fake charges they put against my brother. Did they not intend it as well?"
"Stop dragging this matter too far, Laura." He said, his voice turning cold with little to no remorse.
"Lesley is already feeling guilty for you. She has invited you over dinner tomorrow. As long as you come with me to meet Lesley, apologize to her brother and withdraw the lawsuit against him, your brother will soon be released from the prison."
"Lesley is a kind woman, Laura. You shouldn't hold grudges against her."
Just then his phone rang. Lesley's name popped up on the screen with a heart emoji and a soft smile automatically appeared on his lips. The kind of smile I wished to see on his face because of me. But, it never happened.
Be it my surprise gifts to him or preparing his favourite dishes at midnght to satisfy his night cravings. He never smiled at me. I always wondered if he had so much work load that he had forgotten to smile.
But, the truth was before my eyes now. He could smile! Just not at me.
He immediately grabbed the phone, walked into his study room and shut the door behind his back.
Before walking out, he had shot a glance over the dinning table and told me as a reminder, "I have prepared dinner to lighten your mood. Eat it before it gets cooled."
I stared the carefully prepared dinner, each dishes were cooked according to Lesley's preference.