C3 Chapter 3

A week had passed since the attack, and Jules was finally being discharged from the hospital. The doctors had checked her in for observation, and with her head wound healing nicely, they deemed her fit to go home.

Emily, who'd been by her side throughout her stay, helped Jules get dressed in the comfy clothes she'd brought from home. "You sure you're okay, love?" Emily asked, adjusting Jules's bag with her things.

Jules nodded, waving off the concern. "Yeah, Mom, I'm fine. Just wanna go home."

Emily smiled, relieved. "Alright, let's get you home then. We'll take it easy, okay? No school for a while."

Jules rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Deal."

As they walked out of the hospital, Emily checked her phone. "The detectives said they'd come by the house later to update us on the investigation."

Jules nodded. "Any news on Lia?"

Emily shook her head. "Not yet, but they said they're looking into it."

They got into the car, and Jules leaned back against the seat, closing her eyes. The thought of Lia sent a shiver down her spine. What had Lia been thinking, attacking her like that?

At home, Emily got Jules settled on the couch with a blanket and a cup of hot tea. "You rest, okay? I'll get you some meds for the pain."

Jules nodded, snuggling into the couch. As she drifted off to sleep, the doorbell rang. Emily got up to answer it - it was the detectives.

Detective Thompson and Detective Rodriguez walked in, their faces serious. Emily got them seated in the living room while Jules woke up from her nap, curious.

"We found Lia," Detective Thompson said, getting straight to the point. "She's been staying in a house in Suna district since the incident. It took us a while to track her down, but she's been arrested."

Jules's eyes widened. "Lia's been caught?"

Detective Rodriguez nodded. "Yes. She's been charged with assault. We'll need you to come down to the station to give a formal statement, Jules."

Emily nodded, putting a hand on Jules's shoulder. "We'll do that, detective. Is...is she saying anything about why she did it?"

Detective Thompson shook his head. "Not yet, but we'll get a statement from her. Do you feel up to talking about it, Jules?"

Jules took a breath. "Yeah...I want to know why she did it."

The detectives nodded, taking notes. "We'll keep you updated, then."