Chapter 4

What hurt the most was Jared’s behaviour.

Since my parents stopped standing up for me, he became the person I trusted and cared about the most. I told him everything, and he was the only person I had ever sent this video to.

Back then, Jared was just an amateur hiker who had gotten caught in a sudden storm. He would have died had I not risked my life to save him.

Since that incident, Jared never left my side. He would look at me as if I had hung the stars in the sky, hoping I would accept his love.

“Be my girlfriend, Charlie! I won’t stop pestering you until you do!

“I can see that you’re going through a lot. Let me share your burden.”

Seeing his consistent efforts, I accepted him and told him everything that was happening at home.

In the beginning, he would comfort me and promise me a future with a family and a home of our own. However, somewhere down the line, he started getting closer to Jenny.

I realized too late. Before I could confront Jared, he and my parents forced me to be Jenny’s scapegoat.

The video killed whatever remaining shreds of love I had for him.

Jared returned at night. When he saw my injuries, he rushed over worriedly. “What happened? Come on. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

I shrugged him off coolly. “Why does she have the video?”

Jared paled. “Jenny wasn’t doing very well mentally in the beginning. You don’t know what that trophy means to her. I only sent it to her because I didn’t want her to hurt or kill herself. You can’t hike anymore, so it probably doesn’t mean anything to you anyway.”

“How are you so sure it means nothing to me?”

Only then did Jared look remorseful. He came to stand in front of me and held my shoulders. He explained gently, “I didn’t think too much about it at the time. We can go to whatever mountain you want, okay? I’ll film a new video for you.”

Looking into his eyes, I felt conflicted, and my mind was a mess.

Then, my parents suddenly rushed inside.

“Jared! Jenny’s hurt!”

Jared let go of me and rushed out, while my parents glared at me for doing nothing.

“You don’t even care if something’s happened to your sister, do you? I already know you’re behind this.”

They ran out too.

As I prepared for bed, I received a call from Jared. He was silent for a long while before he finally spoke grimly. “Come over, Charlie. They found new evidence on the case. I think it might prove your innocence.”

I did not fully believe him, but the chance was too important to ignore, so I rushed to the location he had sent.

When Jared saw me, he averted his gaze and bit his lip nervously.

I was about to ask him what was going on when my father hit my good leg with his hiking pole. I fell to my knees, and I heard my calf bone crack.

I shuddered at the pain.