Chapter 3 Hasn't He Suffered Enough?

I froze for a moment before turning to my parents.

My voice trembled as I asked, "Why?"

They exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing.

Just then, Jemma walked into the chapel. She took one look at me and frowned. "Kellan, the baby's already gone. What's the point of keeping a candle burning for someone who's never coming back?"

I stared at her, unable to believe what I'd just heard.

"While you were in a coma, Jude treated Mom and Dad like they were his own parents," Jemma continued. "He looked after them for three whole years when you couldn't. What's so wrong with lighting a candle and saying a prayer for him?"

Her expression was grim. "If anything, you should be grateful to him. Instead, you're trying to tear up his prayer card! Don't you think you're taking things too far?"

Her words hit me like a punch to the chest.

I stared at the little sister I'd spoiled and protected since childhood. For the first time in my life, she looked like a complete stranger.

I clenched my teeth and spat, "If it weren't for him, I never would've been in that accident!"

Before anyone could respond, footsteps sounded at the chapel entrance. Kian walked in with Jude beside him.

"Kellan, Jude didn't mean for the accident to happen," Kian said. "He's spent the last three years doing everything he can to make up for it. Can't you just let it go?"

The way he defended Jude was painfully familiar. It was exactly how he'd stood up for me whenever someone bullied me back in school.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned to Elsie. "Was it really an accident?"

Elsie's expression faltered. Her eyes darted away, and she couldn't bring herself to meet my gaze.

That was when I realized she hadn't told anyone the truth. They all still believed Jude had hit me by accident.

I let out a bitter laugh and was about to set the record straight when Elsie suddenly grabbed my wrist and dragged me toward the chapel doors.

Her grip was surprisingly strong.

I tried to pull away, but she refused to let go. It wasn't until we reached the hallway that I caught her wrist with my free hand and forced her to stop.

Elsie's eyes were red, and her free hand was clenched tightly at her side.

"Kellan..." Her voice trembled. "You know, don't you?"

I said nothing, only staring at her.

Her fingers tightened around my wrist. "You can't tell them, Kellan. Please. If you tell them what really happened, Jude's life will be ruined."

She shook her head desperately. "Your parents, Jemma, Kian... None of them will ever forgive him."

"What about me?" My voice cracked as I stared at her through the tears pooling in my eyes. "He put me in a coma for three years and killed our baby. Do you think he should just get away with it?"

The last words came out as a scream.

Elsie immediately threw her arms around my waist. "I'm sorry, Kellan. I'm really sorry."

She repeated those words over and over, clinging to me as though she were afraid I'd disappear. I felt something warm against my neck and realized she was crying.

For a moment, I couldn't even breathe.

Then, she spoke again. "But Kellan, it's not like Jude hasn't suffered."

I went rigid.

"He's barely been able to sleep for the past two years, and the guilt has been eating him alive. He regrets what happened every single day." She pulled back slightly to look at me. "Hasn't he been punished enough?"

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I struggled to process what she'd just said. I'd spent three years in a coma, nearly lost my life, and lost our unborn child. Yet somehow, Jude's sleepless nights were supposed to make up for it all.

The absurdity of it almost made me laugh, but I was so close to tears that I couldn't even manage a smile.

Elsie reached for my hand. "Please, Kellan. Stop making this harder than it has to be."

She hesitated, then lowered her voice. "Just pretend you never found out."

Something inside me finally gave way.

I stared at the woman I'd once dreamed of spending the rest of my life with. I believed every promise she made and every tear she shed for me, even convincing myself that the three years I'd spent in a coma had only made our love stronger.

Now, I knew better.

I slowly pulled my hand from hers. "Elsie, we're done."

Her face went pale, and her breathing turned rapid.

"No, Kellan." She shook her head. "I'm not breaking up with you."

I looked at her, surprised by how calm I suddenly felt. "Then, what about Jude?"

She froze.

For a long moment, she said nothing.

Finally, she closed her eyes. "I'll send him away."