Chapter 3

I hadn't expected Mr. Nixon to say something like that. The moment he did, Camille's story was all but sealed.

Whispers rippled through the crowd at once, and a few people even started speaking up for Camille.

"What woman would joke about her own virginity? And Camille's always been kind. She wouldn't lie."

"Everyone's seen what's been going on between you and Camille. If you did it, then you need to admit it!"

"Our village won't put up with this. You two should pick a date and have the wedding."

In just a few sentences, I was standing alone.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a faint smile on Mr. Nixon's face. I suddenly remembered that he'd always been close with the Salters.

The Salters were from the city. Mr. Nixon said they weren't used to rural life, so he looked after them at every turn, and any kind of special treatment went to them first.

Mr. Nixon didn't think I'd make it through the college entrance exam. More than once, he'd told me to focus on the work and stop thinking about other things.

He wouldn't have brought it up out of nowhere if he didn't already know about Howard and Camille.

He'd probably taken some kind of payoff, which was why he showed up with a group to box me into confirming the accusation in public.

There was no way I could take on a whole group alone, especially when it was true I'd gone to Camille's place.

I almost laughed at the irony. If I'd really been given a second chance at life, why hadn't it come earlier, when I still had a way out?

With the crowd backing her, Camille broke into sobs and started threatening to kill herself. "I'm done living. It already happened, and Dexter still won't admit it. I should just jump into the river!"

Bertha panicked. "Cammy, don't say that. Don't worry. Today, I'll make sure he marries you!"

Camille put on a show, saying, "Dexter's about to head off to college. Do you honestly think he'll come back after he gets to the city? Mom, don't stop me. Let me die with the bastard inside me."

Bastard? I hadn't expected to hear that word from her.

In my past life, she didn't really take care of the child, but she did indulge him. For the most part, she gave him whatever he wanted.

She kept yelling that she wanted to die, but she didn't actually do anything. I even caught myself thinking about helping her along.

"Suit yourself. That kid isn't mine. Even if you abort it right now, it's still got nothing to do with me."

What I'd said hit a nerve with Bertha and Camille.

Bertha lunged at me, going straight for my face. "Everyone knows it's true, and you're still trying to deny it? You cold-hearted bastard! If you don't marry Cammy, I'll fight you to the death!"

Mr. Nixon blocked the villagers as they moved forward to pull us apart.

"What proof do you have that the kid isn't yours? Camille has all of us as witnesses. What do you have?"

I didn't even get a word out before a woman's voice cut in from the edge of the crowd, cold as ice.

"I can prove the baby she's carrying isn't Dexter's. It's Howard Salter's!"