Chapter 4

I had just climbed into a cab when Mom called.

She yelled, "Jason, if you still think of me as your mom, then get your ass back here to sign the agreement! You ingrate, it's just a stupid pendant! Why are you so hung up over it?"

I hung up.

When I checked into the hotel, I found that all my cards had been frozen. I sat in the lobby and called my friends, but they either hung up without a word or didn't answer at all.

One of them said helplessly, "Jason, Ms. Dixon has made it clear that we are not to help you. Just admit you were wrong to her."

Jasper posted nine photos on his Instagram. They were filled with pictures of luxury goods, and the center photo showed him beaming between Bella and Mom.

The caption read, "It's obvious when someone loves you. It feels so good to have people backing me up and someone to catch me when I fall."

I spent the night at a 24-hour convenience store.

Early the next morning, two bodyguards blocked my way when I stepped out.

"Mr. Frost, Ms. Dixon wants us to bring you home."

One of them punched me, knocking me unconscious.

When I came to, Bella and Mom sat in the VIP section near the front. Jasper stood on the stage with a microphone, his portrait displayed on the giant LED screen behind him.

My heart skipped a beat as a bad feeling crept over me.

The next second, my face appeared on the screen. Those humiliating moments from my past were played for everyone to see.

I rushed over, wanting to smash the projector, but the bodyguards pulled me back.

"Is he the madman in Dr. Wilder's footage?"

"The one who wet himself? That's disgusting!"

Whispers spread through the crowd, full of undisguised contempt and morbid curiosity.

"This is illegal!" I yelled, my voice cracking from the anger and humiliation.

"Jason, have you lost your mind?!" Bella grabbed me by the collar. "It's the most important day in Jasper's life. Are you trying to ruin him?"

Mom stood up and snapped, "Jasper has spent so much effort treating you over the past year. You've already caused your dad's death and dragged Bella down with you. Now you want to ruin his life too?"

I trembled all over, my chest aching so badly I could barely breathe. My eyes reddened as I shook my head.

Jasper hurried offstage, his voice choked with emotion. "Jason is just upset. I believe he didn't mean to do this."

Bella's chest heaved. "Jason, apologize to Jasper."

I snapped, "I'm the victim! He trampled on my dignity! Why should I apologize to him?"

People began whispering and pointing at me, and Bella's expression darkened.

She ordered the bodyguards in a cold voice, "Lock him in the storage room backstage. Let him out when he realizes what he did wrong. This is very important to Jasper. I won't let anyone ruin it, not even you."

Despite my best efforts to pull free, the bodyguards dragged me into the cramped space and locked the door.

After a while, the smell of something burning drifted through the crack under the door.

I froze as my strength gradually left my body. The firelight illuminated my face, and I passed out.

…

After the forum, Bella took Jasper and Mom to the celebration banquet. By the time it ended, it was nearly midnight.

"Let Jason out. He should have learned his lesson by now," Bella said from the couch, her eyes closed.

She didn't notice the panicked look on the guard's face as he held up his phone.

"Ms. Dixon, something happened to… Mr. Frost."