Chapter 5

"We're not pursuing this any further," Roslyn snapped. "Close the case immediately!"

Sierra's brow furrowed, and she turned to me. "What do you want to do?"

I hunched my shoulders and lowered my head, letting a tear fall onto the floor right on cue.

With Roslyn and Benson interfering, it would be hard to get Matthew convicted even if I pursued the case. Besides, I'd already achieved my goal of completely humiliating him in front of the whole school. Quitting while I was ahead was the smart move.

I clutched the corner of my jacket and said in a trembling voice, "Officer Chase, thank you… But if Mom and Dad say so, I'll… I'll drop the case. I don't want to make things hard for my family."

Sierra sighed in frustration, clearly disappointed. But with the victim backing down, all she could do was put away her handcuffs and leave with a cold expression.

Matthew obviously couldn't show his face at school anymore, so my parents rushed him home.

I walked back to the classroom with blood seeping through the bandage on my forehead.

The second I stepped inside, the classroom fell silent, and then everyone swarmed around me.

Some handed me tissues, while others brought me warm water. Their eyes were full of sympathy for me and contempt whenever Matthew was mentioned.

Of course, I had no qualms about playing the fragile victim.

…

When I got back to the Gould residence after evening study hall, I heard smashing and crashing coming from the second floor before I even stepped inside.

Matthew had locked himself in his room, his screeches piercing through the house.

"I don't want to live anymore! Aaron made a total fool out of me in front of the entire school! Unless he kneels outside my door and bows to apologize, I'm going to kill myself right now!"

Roslyn was pacing anxiously outside the door, while Benson wept until his eyes were swollen red.

The moment they saw me come up to the second floor, they looked like they'd found a target for their anger.

"Are you satisfied now? Do you really have to throw this family into chaos to be happy?" Roslyn roared, pointing a finger straight at my face. "Go apologize to Matthew right now! Beg him to forgive you!"

Benson grabbed my arm in a death grip, his face twisted with venom. "Aaron, you've already taken Matthew's biological parents away from him. Why do you keep pushing him? Can't you be a little more generous? Just give in this once. Consider this me begging you!"

I looked at this sickeningly biased pair of parents, and the last ripple of emotion inside me finally went still.

Fine. Then we would settle this blood debt once and for all.

I lowered my eyes, hiding the chill behind them, and made my voice sound obedient. "All right. I'll apologize."

Roslyn and Benson visibly relaxed.

I walked up to Matthew's door and softened my voice. "Matthew, I'm sorry. I was wrong today. Open the door. I'll get on my knees and apologize."

The smashing inside the room stopped instantly.

With a click, the door swung open.

Tears covered Matthew's face, but his eyes gleamed with triumphant smugness and madness.

He raised his chin high and pointed at the carpet in the hallway. "Kneel! Bow your head to the floor three times and say you're a—"

Before he could finish, my hand shot out and seized him by the hair in a tight grip.

Before Roslyn and Benson could even register what was happening, I dragged him toward the end of the hallway.

"Aaron! What are you doing?!" Roslyn gasped in horror.

"Let go of Matthew!" Benson screamed, lunging forward.

But it was too late.

I stood at the edge of the stairs with a cold smile tugging at my lips, then raised my foot and kicked him hard down the stairs.

"There. Now that we're even, Mom and Dad can't play favorites, right?"