CHAPTER 1: Crushed Hope

Riley's pov

I bit my lower lip as the cold air nipped at my skin. My knuckles throbbed from knocking for the third time.

“Is she not home yet?” I muttered, considering whether to crawl through the window, when I finally heard the soft shuffle of movement inside.

A grin spread across my face. My fingers curled tightly around my phone, barely containing the urge to bounce like I’d been doing all the way home.

The door swung open.

“Mom!” I cried, flinging myself into her arms.

A tear slipped down my cheek.

Finally, there was hope.

But she stood stiff in my embrace, and didn't hug me back.

Of course she was shocked, after leaving like I was off to commit murder.

“You’re killing me,” she whispered weakly.

I pulled back instantly, remembering her fragile heart.

“You won’t believe this, Mom.” I shut the door behind me and took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside me. “I feel like I just hit the jackpot.”

She chuckled lightly and adjusted her glasses, the kind of chuckle that didn't quite reach her eyes. Then she walked slowly toward the couch, the familiar purple throw blanket draped over the armrest. A half-empty mug of tea sat on the side table, still letting off steam. She must’ve just settled in.

I stood with my hands on my hips, practically bouncing on my feet.

“Well,” she said, sitting with effort and a knowing smile, “did you?”

I slumped a little. “No, Mom. But trust me… this is bigger than you think.”

She grinned. “Drama queen.”

I twirled like I was on stage, then plopped down beside her and took her hands in mine.

“Just guess.”

Her brows pulled together instantly. She hated guessing games.

“It’s easy, Mom,” I squealed. “Just think of what we’ve always wanted and boom, that’s it.”

She gave me that warm, tired smile I’d missed so much.

She dragged her a finger slowly down her jaw, then a soft nod followed. “ Mhmm.. okay. I've got something too.”

I leaned back, raising a brow. “Ohh, I’m loving where this is going.” I winked, and we both chuckled.

“So, Mom—guess. Just one.”

“Hmm... your college fund?” she said, trailing off, her lips pressing into a thoughtful line.

I frowned slightly as she searched my face for confirmation.

“Mom…” I drawled, trying not to sound annoyed. “That’s not it.”

How could she forget? It’s only been five years.

“I mean... I could be wrong, but you look so happy.” She shrugged, turning toward me again. “Then what else could it be?”

I let out a shaky breath. “Mom, I can’t—”

Then her eyes lit up like something clicked. “Oh! I’ve got it now.”

She beamed, and I did too.

“You’ve got something saved up... for my transplant?”

I bit my lower lips hard. I’d forgotten about that.

Her eyes dimmed a little as she saw the hesitation in mine. She gave a small sigh.

“You really didn’t have to worry about that, Riley,” she said softly. “I already have a solution.”

My eyes widened. “A solution?”

She inhaled deeply, holding the breath like she was steadying herself before letting it out in one slow exhale.

“I told you I've got something too,” she said with a smile. The type I haven't seen since dad left.

I nodded slowly, but I let a slow smile form. “Someone agreed to testify.”

Slowly I watched her face lose the little curl it had.

The smile I had missed.

And I waited.

Waited for the outburst.

Waited for the scream.

For the tears of joy.

But nothing came.

She just looked away

“Mom?” I said softly, tapping her lightly.

She blinked rapidly, like her brain was trying to reboot.

It must be the shock.

I reached for her hands resting in her lap and shook them gently.

“I know you're shocked. I was too.” I said softly, remembering how I almost started dancing on the street.

"But like I told you, when there's life, there's hope.” I turned her to face me by her shoulders. “ We need to celebrate.”

This snap out is taking too long .

She stared at me for a long moment, then her fingers lightly brushed mine, then raised her eyes to meet mine.

“We have to let go now, Riley.”

I forced a chuckle, “ What are you talking about mom? Why would you say that?”

She sniffled, brushing away a tear. “It's been years, baby. We have to move on.”

My chest tightened, as I stared into her eyes. There were tears.

She can't—

Mom!?”

“We can’t spend the rest of our lives chasing this, Riley. We have lives to live. You need to be in college, I need a—”Her voice cracked.

She meant it. She meant what she was saying.

“Riley, your dad wouldn’t want this. He wouldn’t want us to keep suffering like this—”

My vision blurred.

“Now he’s just my dad?”

I roughly wiped off a tear.

“Your husband was crushed in cold blood by a drunk bastard, and you’re okay letting that go because he was just a dad?” I queried, my voice rising.

Her shoulders dropped and she let out a long sigh.

“We have to stop this. It’s been years. Every time someone comes to us with promises, they just want to take what’s left. And we fall for it. Every single time. We need to live again.”

I scooted closer and took her hands back.

I should try again.

“I get it, Mom. I really do. But this time is different. It’s not some guy making fake claims, it's something real.”

I inhaled deeply.

“She’s an old woman. She runs a store near the intersection where it happened. She was there, Mom. She saw everything. She even has a flash drive from her shop’s security camera. Dad wasn’t drunk. He wasn’t jaywalking. The driver was the one who was drunk.”

Mom exhaled slowly.

“Does this person want money?”

I curled my fists and toes. “You don’t have to worry about that, Mom. I’ll work for it. I’ll do whatever I need to. The only thing that matters is…” I breathed slowly. “We’re finally getting justice.”

“Aren’t you tired, Riley?” She snapped. “Do you think that’s how the world works—that we have to pay humans like us to tell the truth?” She met my gaze, eyes watery and lips trembling. “There’s no justice. There’s only survival. And that's all we can hope for.”

“You’ve given up,” I croaked, pulling away when she tried to reach for me.

"Your dad was drunk, baby. He crossed the street without looking—"

"That’s a lie!" I shouted, jabbing a finger at her.

"You were there! Everyone testified—the DRIVER was drunk! Just 'cause he had money and bought off the cops doesn't change the truth!"

I grabbed my boots and shoved my feet into them.

"No amount of dirty money is gonna rewrite history."

Hot tears streamed down without restraint.

“Dad must be disappointed in you.” I spat.