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Chapter 4

Author: Reading Lamp
Before I could react, her nails dug straight into my wrist.

Everything froze. My mind blanked. My limbs went numb. My heart slammed so hard it felt stuck in my throat.

Dying does that. It flips a switch.

I kicked.

My foot barely brushed her before she clutched her stomach and dropped backward like her bones dissolved.

"Ah! It hurts!"

"Juliet Bowen! Are you insane?" Hampton shoved me aside and scooped Lily up. "Bullying her in front of everyone?"

My back smashed against the metal edge of a chair. Pain detonated under my ribs. My vision went black. I couldn't breathe.

In his arms, Lily whimpered, "My ribs... I think they're broken. Does Juliet hate me? She didn't have to kick me that hard..."

Hampton turned and kicked my shin.

"Stop playing dead. Get up and apologize."

The crowd lost it.

"She seemed so gentle."

"Didn't know she was this vicious."

"Competing with a freshman like this? Trying to ruin her?"

"Lily's crying and she's pretending to faint?"

My heart still wouldn't steady.

After a few ragged breaths, I forced the words out.

"She... She dug her nails into my wrist..."

Lily's sobs shot louder, drowning me.

"I was just helping you relax! How can you accuse me? Did I upset you? I'll change, okay? I'll change!"

Hampton's face tightened. "Juliet, you've really disappointed me. I even adjusted the program schedule for you. And now you're strong enough to kick someone across the floor? You've been faking it this whole time."

One of his dorm bros piped up, "Mr. Thompson's here! Perfect. Kick her out—she's killing the mood."

The pacemaker shrieked again. Louder.

3 percent.

My eyes burned. I ignored everything and grabbed the nearest guy's pant leg with shaking fingers.

"Michael... my pacemaker's dying. Please... help me find a battery..."

Michael. Our class rep.

He yanked his leg away like I'd stained it.

"Stop acting, Juliet. Everyone saw you kick Lily so hard she can't stand. You don't get to play helpless now. Just admit you were wrong."

He shook his head. Disappointed.

My hand dropped to the cold floor.

A tear slid from the corner of my eye.

It's over.

"What's going on? Why's everyone crowded here?" The voice cut through the noise—Mr. Thompson, the student affairs advisor.

I jerked my head up, nails digging into my palm to stay awake. "Mr. Thompson... help me..."

He froze when he saw my face—white as paper, hair plastered to my forehead—then rushed over and caught me.

"What happened? Why are you this pale? Someone call 911!"

I opened my mouth. Nothing.

Breathing alone drained whatever I had left.

Through the chaos, one sharp, wounded voice rose above the rest.

"Don't crowd me... my ribs..."

Hampton stepped in front of Lily like her personal bodyguard, blocking everyone out. Then he looked at Mr. Thompson.

"Sir, don't worry about Juliet. She's faking it. Trying to scam Lily with this stunt."

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  • The Swap That Sentenced Them   Chapter 26

    Leo blinked, surprised—then smiled. "That's actually amazing. I'm sure they'll agree."We talked a little longer and planned to volunteer at the hospital next week to help other heart patients.When I got back to the dorm, there was a small box on my bed. Inside— a delicate bracelet with a tiny heart charm."What's this?""A gift from the class," Rainie said. "They regret not helping you. They hope you'll forgive them."I held the bracelet. My feelings twisted. Forgive them? Maybe.But I'd never forget that night. Not one person stood up for me."You don't like it?" Rainie asked, nervous."It's not that. I was just thinking how weird people are." I set it back in the box. "They were ice-cold then. Now they're suddenly warm.""That's people. They love you when you're winning. When you're falling? They help you drop." She sighed. "At least they know they messed up."I nodded. Didn't say anything else.That night, Dad texted me.[Juliet, Hampton's mom came to see me. She asked

  • The Swap That Sentenced Them   Chapter 25

    Lily went sheet white. Her attorney's jaw tightened."The court finds the defendant, Hampton Finch, guilty of intentional assault. He is hereby sentenced to five years in state prison."The court also finds the defendant, Lily Rowe, guilty of intentional assault. She is hereby sentenced to four years in state prison."The second he finished, Lily screamed, "No! I refuse to accept this! I'm appealing!"Bailiffs rushed in and grabbed her.Hampton didn't move. Just stood there and took it."In addition," the judge said, "the court orders the defendants to jointly pay restitution to the victim, Juliet Bowen, in the amount of five hundred thousand dollars for medical expenses and related losses."When it was done, I exhaled.The nightmare was finally over.Outside, reporters charged us again."Miss Bowen, are you satisfied with today's verdict?""Will you forgive Hampton and Lily?""What's next for you?"I stopped and faced the cameras. "The law delivered a fair verdict. I hope

  • The Swap That Sentenced Them   Chapter 24

    Low laughter rippled through the courtroom.Then Hampton took the stand.He laid it all out. The plan. Lily pushing him to "teach me a lesson." Him taking my power supply and medication—knowing exactly what my heart condition meant.When I begged for help, he didn't just refuse. He blocked anyone else from helping, too."I know I was wrong. I'm willing to accept punishment." His head stayed down, voice thick. "But Lily knew exactly what she was doing. She doesn't have any mental illness."The trial dragged on all day.By the end, the judge adjourned. Verdict in one week.When we stepped out of the courthouse, reporters swarmed us again.This time, I didn't dodge them."Miss Bowen, how do you feel about today's hearing?""I trust the law will deliver a fair verdict," I said, steady. "I hope this case reminds people that heart patients' lives matter. They're not something you get to mess with."When we got home, I finally exhaled and dropped onto the couch."Tired?" Dad hande

  • The Swap That Sentenced Them   Chapter 23

    Early the next morning, Dad picked me up.In the car, he handed me a folder. "Captain Larsen sent this late last night. They recovered the chat records Hampton told us about."I opened the folder.Printed screenshots. Clear as day.[Hampton: If something actually happens, are we in trouble?][Lily: Relax. My dad already handled it. Worst case, I'll say I'm mentally ill. No criminal responsibility.][Hampton: That really works?][Lily: Obviously. My dad knows plenty of doctors. A diagnosis isn't hard. And we're not really going to do anything to her. Just scare her.]A chill slid down my spine.They'd built their exit plan before they ever touched me. Nothing was off-limits.When we pulled up to the courthouse, reporters were already camped outside.The second they saw us, they swarmed."Miss Bowen, what do you think about Lily claiming mental illness?"Dad stepped in front of me, blocking the cameras."Please step back. My daughter needs to prepare for the hearing."Poli

  • The Swap That Sentenced Them   Chapter 22

    "I'm not seeing him," I said flatly."He claims it's important. About Lily."I went quiet. "What is it?""He wouldn't say. Insists it has to be in person."I thought for a few seconds. "Fine. I'll meet him. But an officer stays in the room.""No problem. I'll set it up."After I hung up, I exhaled slowly.Faking a mental illness to dodge consequences. Of course she would. Rock bottom clearly had a basement."What happened?" Rainie asked, catching my face.I told her what Captain Larsen said."That's disgusting," Rainie snapped. "She's vicious, and now she's playing crazy?""It's strategic," I said quietly. "If the judge buys the mental illness angle, she could get a lighter sentence.""So what do we do?""We prove she's lying." My voice stayed steady. "But first, I'm meeting Hampton. I need to hear what he thinks is so 'important.'"The next morning, I went to the county jail.Captain Larsen walked me in.Hampton was already in the visitation room.He looked worse than

  • The Swap That Sentenced Them   Chapter 21

    "I'll write an open letter. And decline it."Right then, my phone rang again. Unknown number."Hello?""May I speak to Juliet Bowen?" a soft female voice asked. "I'm Lena Layne from NextGen News. We'd love to schedule an exclusive interview about your experience and feelings."I hung up.Three seconds later, same number."Miss Bowen, please don't hang up. This could help expose campus bullying and raise awareness for heart patients—""Sorry. I'm not doing interviews." Click.Rainie stared at me. "You're really turning them all down? This is your chance to tell your side.""My side?" I gave a thin smile. "They don't want the truth. They want clicks. They'll brand me the tragic victim or the inspirational fighter and run ads on it.""Then what are you going to do?""Wait for the verdict. Go to class." I dropped back onto my bed and stared at the ceiling. "I just want to be normal again. Not the 'heart condition girl.' Not the girl who took down her psycho boyfriend."Rainie s

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