Regret Came Too Late

Grace arched an eyebrow, realizing Maria was just another person Alice had deceived.

After Maria finished speaking, she sank back into her seat, her voice trembling. "Alice was always such a shy girl. When she lived with us, we cared for her, especially Taylor. But for reasons we never understood, the other girls never liked her. So we did everything we could to protect and keep her happy."

Tears began to fall as she continued, "Taylor might not have been the sharpest, but he was kind and pure-hearted. He'd fight anyone to protect Alice, often coming home bruised and battered. Six years ago, he was injured protecting her and fell unconscious. Alice blamed herself and said she would take on multiple jobs to make things right.

"Then, somehow, the Lamberts took her in. At first, we were so relieved for her, but things soon fell apart. My husband, Randy, got caught up in it all and was sentenced to 20 years. I begged the Lamberts for help, but they turned their backs on us. They wouldn't even let Alice see us.

"She snuck out a few times and gave me 20 thousand dollars. She cried, saying there was nothing more she could do for us. She was barely twenty-how could I place all that burden on her?

"I searched for evidence that Randy was innocent, but every step I took, someone was there to stop me, to hurt me. These past five years, I've been barely surviving. Later, I found out Taylor had been brought to this hospital, and I've come by to see him several times."

don't know who brought Taylor here, so I've been waiting nearby. When I saw you, I couldn't believe you were the

cut ties with us for

on, "That's why I've been hiding. I was afraid you'd stop helping Taylor if you saw me. But I'm out of options. Randy's been locked up for five years now. He says it's unbearable. He's constantly beaten and doesn't know how much more he can take. He asked me to

dropped to her knees again. Blood dripped from them, but she didn't hesitate. Her determination was clear as she said, "Ms. Grace, you're helping Taylor,

called the police. No one can explain how his DNA ended

desperate cries. She reached out to stop her and gently helped her to her feet. "Ms. Vickham, do you really see Alice as an

a good kid. She gave me 20 thousand dollars to get through the hardest times. I couldn't find work-no one would hire me. I had no choice but

had just taken Alice in, and right after that, someone set up your husband. And just like that, they cut ties with your family. But if Alice is behind it, everything