Chapter 3

A boom went off in my head, like fireworks exploding inside my skull and blasting my mind blank.

"Who did you say it was? Zoey Hudson?" I demanded.

"Yes. She provided proof of her relationship to you and reported that your medical records are fake. Our platform is currently verifying the claim. Until the information is confirmed, the donations you've raised cannot be withdrawn."

I could hardly believe it. It felt like being plunged into ice water.

"My medical records came from a top-tier hospital. There's no way they're fake!" I blurted out. "She has a grudge against me. She can't wait for me to die—"

"Please calm down, sir," the representative cut me off, then repeated, "We're verifying it now, so don't worry. Once we confirm everything is real, the funds will be released to your card right away."

My whole body was shaking, but I knew there was no point in arguing with customer service.

As soon as I hung up, I called Zoey, realizing that at some point, she'd unblocked me.

The second the call connected, I shouted, "Zoey Hudson! Why did you tell the RainDrop Fund I was faking my illness? Do you have any idea—"

"Aren't you?"

Zoey cut me off, her tone as casual as anything. There was even a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Chase, I know how stubborn you are. You can't bring yourself to come home, so you're pulling this stunt to make me cave first."

"How about this?" she went on, sounding magnanimous. "Come home and apologize, and I'll pretend none of it ever happened."

Her voice continued in my ear, but all I could feel was my heart sinking like a stone straight into a well.

So that was the kind of person I was in her eyes.

I tightened my grip on my phone, suddenly at a complete loss for words.

In the silence, Andrew's voice drifted through the line. "Zoey, is that Chase? Just let him come home. Honestly, I stopped blaming him for what happened three years ago."

Zoey's tone hardened. "I know you're the bigger person here, but Chase needs to understand what he did wrong. He's my brother, and I won't let him get away with behavior like this."

Though the words were spoken to Andrew, I knew they were meant for me.

A cold laugh escaped me. Then, slow and deliberate, I said, "Zoey, I did nothing wrong. He framed me. And I'm not faking anything now. Every single one of my medical records came from a top-tier hospital."

Refusing to give in, I added, "I will never apologize. Even if I die, I won't admit to something I never did!"

"You—"

Before she could get another word out, I hung up.

When she immediately tried calling back, I simply ignored it.

The sudden flare of emotion was too much. My chest heaved as a sharp pain spasmed through my lungs.

A moment later, a text from Zoey came through.

"Chase, I'm very disappointed in you."