Caught on Camera

I forced myself upright and stumbled the whole way to the television station where Crystal worked.

Crystal stood there in a tasteful, understated work outfit, giving an interview.

"What happened to my sister breaks my heart. As a reporter, I intend to report thoroughly on this case and make sure she gets justice."

She covered her face and sobbed, as if she were truly innocent.

Zeke murmured something to comfort her, then turned to face the cameras.

"My fiancée is the victim here. I'm asking everyone to give her space and let her put this behind her. I also hope you'll all support Crystal's work."

Applause broke out from the crowd.

I braced myself against the wall, my stomach churning so hard I nearly threw up. They'd sacrificed my dignity and reputation, all so my sister could make a name for herself with one story.

I couldn't stand it anymore. My eyes burning, I shoved the door open and walked in.

Every pair of eyes in the room snapped toward me.

Zeke stared at me, stunned. "What are you doing here? Your wounds haven't even healed. What if they reopen?"

He grabbed my arm to drag me back to the hospital. I wrenched my arm free.

"Stop pretending! I heard everything!"

Seeing me in tears, Zeke froze. "How can you understand French...?"

I hadn't understood it before. I used to ask them, like a fool, what they were talking about, and all I ever got back was a dismissive "nothing."

I didn't want to be shut out anymore. I didn't want to keep being the fool. So I'd thrown myself into learning French, planning to surprise them one day.

I never expected what was waiting for me instead: a hideous and cruel truth.

Crystal hurried down off the stage, her eyes red, and grabbed my arm. "Lizzie, don't get the wrong idea. We were only trying to help you."

Crystal and I had grown up together in the same orphanage. She'd worked her way up to become a reporter so she could track down the parents neither of us had ever met.

"You're the sister I love most," she'd told me once. "I can manage growing up on my own, but I can't stand the thought of you growing up without parents too."

The sister who had once made me so proud was now lying through her teeth.

I couldn't accept it. I shoved her away, hard.

She stumbled, and Zeke caught her instantly. Then he rounded on me.

"Is it really so much to ask, helping your sister out for once? She raised you singlehandedly. She's already given more than enough. And it's not like we think you're dirty!"

"Well, I think you two are the ones who are filthy!" I said, nearly spent.

Zeke and Crystal both froze.

The day he proposed, he'd cried as he promised that he'd never let me shed another tear. Now the person who hurt me most was the very same one who'd sworn to protect me.

Watching the two of them stand there, so perfectly in sync, made my stomach turn all over again.

I couldn't hold on any longer. The last thought that crossed my mind before I blacked out was: I wanted nothing more to do with either of them.