Dispatcher: 911 emergency. Can you state your emergency?

Voice: The Dragomir's are dead.

Dispatcher: Can you repeat that again miss. Whose dead?

Voice: Rhea, Eric, Andre, and Vasalissa Dragomir. They are dead.

Dispatcher: Can you tell me your name?

Voice: Rosemarie Hathaway.

Dispatcher: Are you with them? Can you tell me your location?

Voice: 2165 Evangeline Drive

Dispatcher: Can you explain to me what happened?

Voice: I'm sorry.

Dispatcher: For what? Can you explain what happened?

Call ended

Another week had passed, this time I sat in an interrogation room. I had asked them to play the tape numerous times by now. They seemed annoyed but I was in shock. That was my voice, though it wasn't me. I never made that call. I remembered everything about that day. I remembered not being able to move after being shot.

I remembered everything about that day.

"Again I'll ask you. Why did you make the call?" I raked my hands through my hair. This Natasha chica was really getting on my nerves.

"I've already told you. I didn't make that call. I was shot and fell to the ground and literally could not move. Everything happened in a matter of minutes." Natasha looked at me her smirk mocking.

"Clearly this is you. You heard it. I heard it. A lot of people heard it Rosemarie. Not only that the call came from your cell phone." My eyes snapped to Dimitri's. His posture was stiff and he refused to meet my eyes.

After dropping the bomb on me that I really was a suspect Dimitri had assured me they wouldn't just arrest me. The call proved nothing, but to me it proved that this was fully planned out. Someone or some people were trying to frame me. Maybe not frame me but at least trying to make me look somewhat guilty. That sounded like my voice but it wasn't me. As much as I tried to move after those men left, I couldn't. I remember time going by slowly, my breathing becoming hard, I remembered knowing I was dying and then passing out. I wouldn't have even been able to tell you where my phone had been. I rarely carried it on me. Especially when I was with the only people that really called me at the time. I had told the detectives this, but bitch ass Natasha was not listening, or perhaps didn't care.

"I was no where near my phone. No where near well enough to make that call. I wanted to, trust me, we needed help. But I was laying there dying." My voice rose and I tried to calm myself by breathing in deeply. "Look I know that sounds like me, but that wasn't me. I thought I was going to die there. I don't even remember the paramedics getting there. I wish I had been able to call sooner, but I didn't."

"Were you angry with the Dragomir's?" She completely ignored me and went on.

"No, never. There was no reason to ever be angry with them." I looked at her and held her icy gaze. "No matter what you or anyone thinks, I loved them. They were my family. I would give anything, my own life included to bring them back."

From beside my lawyer coughed making us all look his way. Adrain Isvashkov was young. Only a few years older than Andre at 30 years old. But he was the best there was. His family had being lawyers in their blood. Literally there wasn't one of them that wasn't practicing or had practiced. The most important part was that they were the best of the best.

"I believe my client has made herself clear time and time again. Her answers haven't changed. And honestly I don't see why she's being looked at. She was nearly killed herself. The Dragomir's took care of her, helped her. She has no motive." Natasha clearly was not done as she smirked my way and waved her hand in the air.

"I think her having half the Dragomir's fortune and company begs to differ." I growled lightly now, I wanted none of this.

"I don't want this. Hell I didn't even know I was on their will. I figured once I had enough money I would move out. Visit and always be thankful. I'm not greedy. And I would never wish someone dead simply to take from them." Dimitri stopped Natasha from speaking again as he put his hand on her shoulder. I hated that he touched her.

"I think we've asked all the questions we needed. Your client is free to go." Dimitri directed his words to Adrain but looked at me the whole time. I tried to convey how thankful I was.

During the last week Dimitri had stopped by most nights after work. He brought food every time and sat and talked to me. I knew he probably was trying to get information, learning my character. Hell I even bet he was trying to find a lie, or a slip up. But he hadn't. Because I was innocent. I myself was a victim. And after a week I had hoped he would see that too. So far he was showing to be on my side, the bad part was he seemed to be the only one.

"Thank you. If you have anymore questions you have my number?" Dimitri nodded and stood up and shook Adrain's hand. Natasha instead got up and walked out.

"Is she always like that?" The question slipped from my lips before I could stop it. I really couldn't get over how horrible she was.

"She is intense. She just takes her job seriously." Adrain snorted and tried to cover it up with a cough.

"That's more than intense. No offense but she's on a rampage. And I don't appreciate her attacking my client with no real proof." Dimitri nodded and started to walk out. But turned around last second.

"Thank you. I know it wasn't easy. And I know it seems like we aren't doing much but we are I promise." I smiled as he told me these words. The man was charming without even trying.

"It's fine. I know it's what you have to do." He nodded again and left.

"Well, that went smoothly." Adrián looked at me his emerald eyes glowing with amusement.

"I told you she was something else." He laughed and started to guide me out of the station.

"I've dealt with detective Ozera before. She's nothing I can't handle. She's just mad cause she couldn't find my last client guilty either." I looked his way a little concerned.

"Was he guilty?" He laughed outright and turned my way.

"Of course he was not." His smirk stayed as he started again towards his car. "Take care and tell me if she tries to corner you again alone. Now you have me she can't talk to you without me there. And if you can keep trying to win over that big guy. He seems to be on your side."

"I don't know what you mean." I took a step back. Could Adrián tell I liked Dimitri more than I should. The blush rising on my cheeks did nothing to help me.

"Whatever you say. His nightly visits seem to be helping you. Just be careful what you say, at the end of the day he's still a detective trying to solve a case." He came over and grabbed my hand giving it a quick squeeze.

"I'll keep that in mind."

After parting ways I asked Stan to drive me to the hospital. Lissa was still in a coma. But a week later and she really seemed to be doing much better. When I had visited her yesterday her fingers had twitched. And the brain scans had shown some major healing.

"Hey Liss." I sat by her bed like I did nearly everyday and grabbed her hand. "Doctors say you can wake up any day now. Please hurry. I miss you so much."

Her fingers curled around mine but her eyes didn't open. I knew she was in there. I just couldn't believe the state she was in. She looked like herself albeit a little paler. But she was gorgeous. Even with half her hair shaved she looked like an angel. She would always be my angel. My hand twitched as I pushed some hair out of her face.

"I went into the stationed today. With my lawyer Adrian. You must remember him, the cute guy from all the charity events and parties." I smiled a little remembering how he had tried and failed a year ago to get me to go on a date with him. "He seems to have matured in the last year. He's really good at what he does. You should have seen him today."

I earned another hand squeeze and I held her tight. I had no idea how they could think I would do this to her. I was so happy she was doing better and would wake up, but the pain she would be in when she woke and found her family gone was something I wish I could spare her from. Not only that she was probably going to need a lot of therapy. The bullet somehow only scraped her brain but it did cause damage, the extent wouldn't be known until she finally woke up.

"Miss Hathaway." I looked behind me to see Olena there.

"I told you it's Rose. I thought we knew each other well enough for that." She smiled and came in closing the door behind her.

"Sorry habit." She was always so polite.

"They said she's doing better." I smiled looking back at Lissa.

"I hate what she's going to have to deal with when she wakes up." Olena pulled up a chair beside me. Grabbing my free hand.

"She has you. And I can see how much you care. It won't be easy but having you will help." I nodded looking into her eyes.

"I know. But is it bad that I want her to wake up so she can tell everyone what happened? To tell them I didn't do this." Tears leaked from my eyes as I released Lissa's hand and grabbed Olena's with both of mine.

"No. That's not bad. That's normal I would assume. You say you have nothing to hide and sadly she's the only way to prove it." I swallowed a sob and she pulled me in.

I could imagine Lissa being a nurse like Olena. Kind, caring, compassionate. Perhaps that was why I liked talking to Olena, she reminded me a lot of my best friend. She always had solid advice. She gave great hugs, and she always made me feel better.

"Thank you again. You'll never know how much I appreciate you being here for me and with me." She smiled kindly at me while standing.

"I have to do my rounds, but I am so happy to see you doing better. Is my son still being decent?" Her tone changed one of a concerned mother.

"He's a perfect gentleman. But you should know that you raised him." She swatted at me almost embarrassed at the compliment.

"He's naturally like that. I just worry with that partner of his." I crinkled my nose in disgust.

"She's something else that's for sure." I shake it off and smile again at Olena. "Thankfully he doesn't let her bad influence get to him."

"That's good to hear. He's always danced to the tune of his own drum." I smiled at the saying, Rhea had once

said that about me. It had been one of the many reasons she had given me when telling me she loved me.

Later that evening I found myself alone in the apartment. Dimitri had texted saying he would not make it tonight, too much paperwork. It was sad how accustomed I had grown to his visits. I hated being alone. It was slightly amusing since I had spent so many years basically on my own. But after five years of constant love and attention I suppose I had been spoiled.

"Miss Hathaway." One of my security guards walking in startled me.

"Oh Spiradon you startled me." I had stood up quickly my hand over my heart.

"I apologize. There's two young men downstairs seeking a visit." I flinched wondering who the hell would be here.

"Did they say their names?" My heart hammered in my chest, fear quickly rising.

"A Mason Ashford and Edison Castile." My heart rate dropped and I actually smiled.

"Oh my god yes please let them up!"

Mason and Eddie had been fellow students at my small community college. We had only taken a few classes together but we had clicked. They were both trying to get certificates a well, Mason an X-ray technician and Eddie ultra sound. They had moved away a few cities over to get jobs at one of the better hospitals in the area. I had not seen them in a little over year, but we would shoot each other texts at least once a month. During my time at college they had hung out with me for lunch and breaks. But even though we had grown close we never hung out outside of small college campus.

The door opened and the two men walked in. One look at them and I threw myself at the first one, who happened to be Mason. Tears fell from my eyes as he held me close. I hated that I had forgotten about them lately, but I was so happy they were here. Eddie came from the side wrapping his arms around us. It had been just what I needed.

"I'm so sorry Rose." Mason's voice tumbled in my ear and a small sob left me. "I wish I had known sooner."

"It's ok I'm just so glad you're here." I pulled away slightly embarrassed wiping my tears.

"We would have been here sooner if we knew." Eddie reached out helping me wipe some tears. "We only found out because someone in the hospital mentioned it. You know us TV and newspapers aren't our thing."

I remembered a lot about them. They were best friends, from childhood, Mason was an orphan and Eddie grew up with a single mother. Mason spent most of his life in and out of foster homes, Eddie being his only constant. They were a lot like brothers. And when Eddie's mother passed they swore to do better for themselves. They got jobs saved and then put themselves through college. And from what they had told me their positions had them very stable.

"I'm so glad you came. I'm sorry I haven't contacted you. So much was happening before all this." I sighed remembering all the stuff Rhea had been up to, and of course Lissa and I had been helping.

"Don't be sorry we understand, it's almost holiday season, I know Rhea use to plan so many events." Mason's sounded sad as he mentioned my surrogate mother.

"Yes. She had already been planning." I inhaled deeply remembering that soon I would have to step up. As of right now someone else was doing Rhea's responsibilities, soon I would have to take over. They had in trusted me with part of their company and damn if I let it fall apart.

"Have you eaten?" Eddie hovered over my like a father may do to a child.

"Umm no I was just gonna eat a bowl of cereal." I felt a little ashamed. After five years of trying to teach me Rhea had all but given up on teaching me how to cook. I could boil and egg and pasta but past that I failed terribly.

"How about we order some pizza. And then tomorrow we will get groceries and I'll cook." I furrowed my brow and Eddie and he laughed. "We both took a week off to come stay with you. As long as that's ok with you?"

"Of course. My god I would love the company." I thought of what I would tell Dimitri but then shrugged it off. I needed, I wanted my friends with me.

"Alright. If I remember correct pepperoni right?" Mason was already typing away on his phone as I confirmed my order.

Having my friends here made me feel much better. Even if I hadn't thought to call them I was glad they took charge. I did really need them, especially now more than ever. I hugged them both as we took a seat on my couch. Pizza and movies and my friends, it was exactly what I needed to forget about the mess my life had become.