Chapter 3

Every word Cade spoke was so clear yet so painful.

Everyone hid the truth about my mother's death from me, including Cade, whom I trusted unconditionally.

Back then, I ran to the police station in the rain, and Cade got into a car accident while chasing after me.

He climbed out of the car with difficulty, gripped my ankle with a bloody hand, and said, "Jodi, go home. Leave the rest to me."

I naively believed he would seek justice for my mother and me, because I never believed that my mother would abandon me.

But to my dismay, both my father and my husband betrayed me.

The next day, I appeared at Summer's birthday party in a disheveled state.

Summer intimately held Cade's arm while enthusiastically showing off the heirloom jade ring he gave her, as if she truly was Cade's wife.

When I entered, everyone's eyes fell on me, some with disdain, others with mockery.

Cade looked relaxed, assuming I was going to beg for forgiveness like before. He spread his arms towards me.

Unfortunately, he would be disappointed this time.

"Cade, it was Summer who killed my mother, wasn't it? And you're her accomplice, aren't you?"

His breath caught, yet the guilt in his eyes vanished almost instantly.

"Today is Summer's birthday. Don't make a scene!"

Even my father rushed up to me and slapped me hard.

Seeing the warning glances from both of them, I finally accepted reality.

The content of that video was real.

Summer rushed over crying, looking like a pear blossom in the rain.

"Jodi, I know Aunt Mary wished she could kill me when she was still alive, but we only have each other to rely on now. Please don't hurt me anymore… I'll forget about all those times you abused me. I'll be obedient."

As she spoke, she inadvertently displayed the scars on her arms, looking pitiful.

Seeing that, Cade frowned as if it pained him. His eyes were filled with disappointment when he looked at me.

"Jodi, she's your sister! How could you do this to her?!"

Gasps filled the surrounding crowd and they whispered among themselves.

"So Jodi's mother tried to murder Summer but ended up killing herself. Wow, good riddance."

"I didn't know Jodi was so shameless. She's actually making false accusations to compete for favor. Old virgins like her always like to cause trouble."

"Like mother, like daughter. Both of them are bullies. They're both low-class trash after all. A leopard never changes its spots."

Insults and accusations rained down on me.

The scene of my mother's fall raced through my mind.

I couldn't stand it any more. By the time I came to my senses, my hands were already wrapped around Summer's throat.

"I want you to pay with your life!"

Summer struggled in my grasp. The next moment, a powerful force pushed me away.

Cade raised a trembling hand and slapped me on the face without hesitation.

"What do you think you're doing, Jodi? I want you to clarify right here, right now, that your accusation was false and that you and your mother abused Summer, or I'll…"

His voice suddenly dropped low; gentle yet cruel.

"Or I'll flatten your mother's grave. Today is her death anniversary, isn't it?"