Chapter 4

"Asher, you've seen the proof! How can you still deny it?" Graham demanded.

Evelyn turned away, refusing to even look at me. Instead, she continued comforting Josh, who was still huddled in her arms. "Oh, sweetheart, you've been through so much. And to think you've kept that apology letter all these years. It must have been so hard for you..."

The insults and accusations around me grew louder. Everyone had already made up their minds that I was a bully, and I felt crushed by their judgment.

But I barely heard any of it. I was too busy staring at the apology letter in disbelief. The handwriting was identical to mine. Even the signature was a perfect match, right down to the smallest stroke.

Yet I'd never written that letter. I'd never even seen that piece of paper in my life!

I took a deep breath and stood a little straighter. "Handwriting can be forged, and scars can be explained away. But there's no faking where I've been or what I've done with my life."

Without hesitating any longer, I hit the call button on my phone. Someone picked up almost immediately.

"911? I need to report a crime," I said, keeping my voice steady. "I'm outside the exit at Eastbridge Central Station. Someone is publicly accusing me of bullying them in high school and using a forged apology letter to back up their claims.

"They're making false accusations that are damaging my reputation. I'm also being threatened, and I don't feel safe leaving. Please send the police."

I hung up, and the crowd went silent.

Graham was shaking with anger. "Asher, do you really have to drag this family's name through the mud? Is that what you're trying to do?"

I turned to Josh. "I'm not the one ruining this family's reputation. The person making up lies and forging evidence is."

A few minutes later, police sirens sounded in the distance, growing louder as they approached.

Two officers pushed through the crowd, looking stern. "Who called 911? What's going on?"

Josh recoiled, and Graham quickly moved in front of him, forcing a smile. "Officers, it's just a misunderstanding. A little family dispute, that's all..."

I stepped forward.

"I made the call," I said calmly. "Josh Ashford has accused me of bullying him throughout high school, in front of all these people. He's also produced an apology letter that he claims I wrote. None of it is true. I've never even attended high school in this country.

"I want the police to check my school records and investigate these accusations. I also want whoever made them held legally responsible."

Josh's face drained of color. He quickly grabbed my hand. "Asher, I've already forgiven you. It all happened so long ago.

"If you don't want to admit it, that's fine. Just please don't make Mom and Dad angry over something that happened between us. We don't need to embarrass the whole family in front of everyone..."

I yanked my hand away and handed my ID to one of the officers. "You're missing the point, Josh. I'm the one who wants to take this further."

I turned to the police. "I want you to investigate what happened, check my school records, and clear my name. And I want Josh Ashford held accountable for falsely accusing me and fabricating evidence!"

The two officers exchanged a look. One of them took my ID and pulled out a handheld device, entering my information to check the records.

The seconds dragged on, with nothing but the faint tapping of buttons breaking the silence.

Josh grew increasingly pale, and his trembling got worse.

After several minutes, the officer finally looked up. He glanced at me, then at Josh, who was still clinging to Evelyn.

He raised his voice so everyone could hear. "I've checked the records. Asher Vale, 19 years old. He dropped out of school in eighth grade at 14, and there's no record of him ever attending high school."

The crowd erupted in shock, everyone talking at once.