Chapter 10

Too much had happened during the trip. After burying my parents, I was completely worn out. I turned off my phone and went straight to sleep.

When I woke up, everything had changed.

My phone showed dozens of missed calls. Some were from my relatives, while others were from Charlie and several unfamiliar numbers. When they couldn't reach me, they'd started flooding my phone with text messages instead.

Still half asleep, I opened one of the messages from Charlie.

He'd forwarded me a news report with a shocking headline. "Souza Heiress Accused of Setting Fire to Century-Old Church!"

I was stunned by the headline. When I opened the article, I was horrified to discover that the church where my parents' bodies had once been kept had been completely destroyed by a fire.

But the church had been perfectly fine when I'd visited to pray.

I barely had time to process the news before I scrolled down to read more. According to the report, the fire had broken out on the very night I'd gone there to pray.

The article even included a photo of me walking through the church with prayer beads in my hands, looking solemn and devoted. It claimed that I was the only person who had visited the church that night and that the fire had started shortly after I left.

I couldn't believe what I was reading. Fear and panic swept over me.

I knew for a fact that I hadn't started the fire, but I also knew that no one would believe me.

I couldn't help wondering what Silas would think of me if he saw the news.

Without thinking, I answered Charlie's call. The moment I came to my senses, I rushed to explain, "Charlie, I didn't start that fire!"

His voice was calm and steady. "I know. Don't worry. I've already paid to have the church repaired."

I hadn't even had time to breathe a sigh of relief when he continued, "Josie, I've arranged a press conference for you the day after tomorrow. All you have to do is admit that you made a mistake by accident. I'll take care of everything else afterward."

His words sent a chill through my entire body. Even my voice began to tremble. "What do you mean?"

Charlie paused before answering. "Josie, Alya was the one who accidentally started the fire."

He explained that Alya had still been inside the church after I'd left that night. She'd been so angry that, on her way out, she'd accidentally knocked over a candle. The flames had spread to the things inside the church, setting the entire building on fire.

She was too scared to tell anyone what she'd done, so she'd simply left. That was how the church had ended up in ruins.

I completely lost control of my emotions. "Why are you making me take the blame for this? Charlie, you know the truth! Why are you letting the media make up lies about me?"

He waited until I'd finished shouting before speaking in his usual calm voice. "You're the daughter of the Souza family. The media is going to make a big deal out of this no matter what. You have the resources to deal with the consequences, but Alya is just an ordinary girl. If she has to take responsibility for this, she'll never be able to recover."

He paused briefly before continuing. "Once the press conference is over, we'll have our wedding. I'll still marry you, but Alya will be left all alone with no one to protect her. Josie, can't you just let this go? Don't hold it against her."

He wanted me to let it go.

But Alya was the one who had made the mistake. Why should I be the one to pay for it?

I was so furious that my whole body trembled. Tears streamed down my face, and I couldn't stop crying. Charlie hung up without saying another word. A moment later, he sent me the time and location of the public apology press conference.

It was scheduled for nine the next morning. He'd already informed the media and posted the announcement online.

He hadn't even given me a chance to refuse.

I sat on the cold floor, exhausted and lost, staring out at the glittering city lights beyond my window. My heart hurt so much that, in the end, I couldn't feel anything at all.

Once again, Charlie had chosen Alya over me.