“Excuse me,” one officer said, flashing his badge. “Are you Mr. and Mrs. Thompson?” My parents exchanged a panicked look. “Yes,” my father replied cautiously. The officer’s eyes narrowed. “You’re under arrest for multiple counts of theft, including dine – and – dash and robbing customers.” He looked at me, his expression softening a bit. “Miss, I saw her patting down your handbag earlier. I think they have something of yours.” “What?” I asked, a mix of confusion and fear in my chest. The other officer, a stern – looking woman, stepped forward and opened my mother’s handbag. She pulled out my wallet. My stomach dropped as I realized the truth. Their story was just another lie, a devious plan to rob me. “No, there must be some mistake,” I stammered, even though I knew deep down it was true. “They’re my parents.” The officers exchanged a look. “I’m sorry, miss,” the woman said, “but we’ve been tracking these two for months. They’re well – known con artists.” My father’s face crumpled. “It’s not true!” he shouted, struggling against the handcuffs as the officers restrained him. “We’re innocent!” My mother’s tears turned from fake to real panic. “Please, you have to believe us,” she pleaded, but she was looking at me, not the police. “Emma, we love you. We were just trying to survive.” The officers started to lead them away, their protests growing fainter. I stood there, frozen, heartbroken, and disillusioned. Everything I thought I knew, every hope I had about my parents, shattered. Chloe rushed to my side, putting her arms around me in a comforting hug.
“I’m so sorry, Emma,” she whispered, her voice thick with sympathy. “I’m so, so sorry.” I nodded numbly, tears streaming down my face. “I just wanted answers,” I choked out. “I wanted to know why they left me.” Chloe held me tighter. “You did nothing wrong. They’re the ones who messed up, not you.” Her words were a small comfort in the storm of my emotions.
I watched as the officers took my parents out of the restaurant, their figures disappearing into the night just like they had 22 years ago. It was over. The closure I sought had turned into a nightmare. The rest of the evening passed in a blur. Chloe helped me pack our things, and we left the resort earlier than planned.
The drive home was long and quiet, my mind filled with thoughts and emotions I could barely handle. When we finally pulled up in front of my grandparents’ house, it was late. The familiar sight of their cozy home brought a bittersweet sense of relief. I walked up the path, Chloe by my side, and knocked on the door. It opened almost immediately, and my grandparents stood there, worry on their faces.