GRETEL slept well that night as she looked forward to meeting Alexander once again. She was thinking of what to give him tomorrow. Maybe he likes sweetened banana or sweet potato.

She woke up early and swept their yard while her mother prepared their breakfast. A familiar carriage stopped outside their gate, followed by another one that belonged to the sheriff.

Gretel stopped and clutched the broom with her hands. Mr. Martinez got down first, and Javier followed, arrogant as always in his elegant clothing. They entered the gate along with the sheriff and another officer.

“Miss Gretel, I know it’s not the perfect timing to greet you a good morning, but—”

“What do you mean, Mr. Martinez?” She glanced at Javier, who donned a blank face.

“The other night, there was a robbery at my master’s mansion. Some of his important collections, which were kept in the basement, were stolen. I’m sorry to say that your brother is one of the suspects.”

“N-no! My Hansel can’t do that!” Glenda cried from the doorway.

Gretel gasped in shock to find her mother already standing there. Behind her was fear-stricken Hansel.

Gretel hated that her intuition was right. Her brother could not be a thief!

“I’m sure it wasn’t him. Did you go to Dario and Jones’ place? If there’s someone capable of doing that, it’s them!”

“We could not find them anymore. They seemed to have escaped along with their belongings. We don’t intend to accuse your brother right away, so we are here to find evidence first,” Mr. Martinez said calmly.

“I believe that was the cart they used to escape that night,” Javier said, gesturing at the cart in the corner.

“We will check it, then.”

The officers moved to oversee the cart.

Gretel glanced at Hansel. His head was down the whole time. She did not want to admit that her brother was guilty. She was disappointed and heartbroken at the same time. She already warned him about Dario and Jones. Why did he not listen?

Her mother began to cry on the corner. Gretel withdrew her gaze from the heartbreaking sight.

“We found something!” The sheriff pulled something from under the seat.

He rushed back to them, carrying a small golden figure in his hand.

“Does this belong to you, Mr. del Mundo?”

“Indeed, that is mine,” Javier confirmed in a cold tone.

Gretel dropped the broom as she felt her body weaken.

“Mrs. Hemosa, I’m sorry, but we have to take your son to the station for further questioning.”

“Hansel, you did not do it, did you? Tell me!” Glenda was crying hysterically.

Gretel rushed to her mother’s side as tears began to stream from her eyes.

“I’m sorry, Gretel. I’m sorry, Mother,” Hansel said as the officers handcuffed him. He could not look at them straight in the eye.

GRETEL knelt beside the stream and washed her face. She was already tired, but she still had tears left to shed.

They followed Hansel to the station. He confessed that his only participation was to drive for Dario and Jones while they steal. He felt guilty, so he initially refused his share. But he was not expecting that Dario would leave a valuable object they stole in his cart. That was also the reason why he forgot to pick her up from Lady Arcie’s mansion.

Of course, it was not in his brother’s nature to steal. 

Gretel glanced behind her as she heard footsteps on the grass. It was Alexander. He came!

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Gretel took a deep breath after telling him the whole story. They sat under the mango tree, just like the previous night.

“I don’t know what to do, Alexander. We don’t have that much money to get him out of prison. My brother is innocent. He was just with the wrong people.”

“You know I fight off people who take advantage of other people, right?” he said. “But if you say that your brother isn’t like that, I believe you.”

“R-really?” Gretel sobbed. “Thank you. I wished Javier del Mundo knew that. I hated him, but I can’t blame him this time.”

“Why do you hate him?”

“Because he’s proud and arrogant. He thinks he can buy anything he wants.”

Alexander chuckled at once.

“Why are you laughing?”

“Because… you’re cute.” He cupped her cheek. “I think I hate that guy, too. Do you want me to teach him a lesson?”

“No, don’t do that. I don’t like him, but he was the victim here.” Gretel caught his hand on her cheek and closed her eyes. “I feel better now that you’re here.”

“What do you want me to do, Gretel?”

“Nothing. Just stay here with me for a while. I’ll do everything I can to get my brother out of jail. Whatever it takes. I can’t let my family fall apart anymore.”

“Please don’t ever put yourself in danger.”

WHEN GRETEL finally returned home, she found her mother doing the dishes in the kitchen. She was not in her usual self. Her mother looked weak and seemed to be lost in thoughts.

“Mother, let me take care of that. You should go rest, instead.”

“I can’t believe Hansel would disobey me. I failed as a parent. Do you think he would end up like this if your father was alive?” Glenda asked bitterly.

“No, Mother. Hansel was only a victim here. He wanted to give us a bright future, and Dario took advantage of it. He set Hansel up.”

“I know. But it’s too late now.”

“No, Mother. I’ll talk to Javier del Mundo tomorrow. I’ll convince him to withdraw the case against Hansel. I’m sure he’ll listen to me.”

“Gretel, do you think you’re only making things more difficult here?” Glenda sighed.

“I can’t let Hansel suffer for something he did not do. We can’t pull him out of jail, but Javier can release him if he wishes. Everything will be all right, Mother.” She wrapped her arms around her.

“Gretel…” Glenda’s body began to tremble once again. “Your poor brother…”