Todos los capítulos de When He Finally Believed Me: Capítulo 1 - Capítulo 9

My daughter Tess Rowse's small body hit the ground from the third floor. I thought that finally, we would be together again.But they rushed her to the hospital, and the heart monitor that had nearly flatlined flickered back to life."This is how you watch a child? You just stood there and let her jump?"Amelia Shortle, the officer in charge, looked furious as she questioned the group.My parents' faces turned stiff and ugly. My brother, Edward Wells, ran a hand through his hair, irritated."How was I supposed to know she'd suddenly lose it and jump? She learned that from her mom. Always making a scene over nothing."He looked like he had more to say, but my ex-husband, Hanson Rowse, cut him off."She's awake."I rushed to Tess's side, watching her look around, dazed and small, her eyes searching. I knew she was looking for me. My chest tightened as I reached out and brushed her hair.Hanson frowned as he studied her face, now starting to grow into its features. He lifted a ha

"Mommy's not a bad person…and I'm not trash…"Tess's voice pulled me back.I looked at her stubborn little face; something seemed to be crushing my chest, squeezing the air right out of me.I drifted closer, eyes burning, and gently brushed her cheek.If I hadn't let go of her in the water, if I had just held on tighter, she wouldn't have been swept away. She wouldn't be here alone, getting blamed for everything.My tears fell without a sound, landing on her arm.She seemed to feel something. Suddenly, she yanked free from Amelia's grip, grabbed a fruit knife off the table, and drove it toward herself.Amelia didn't react in time. She let out a gasp.Blood hit the floor.I froze, staring at the knife just inches from sinking into Tess's stomach.A hand clamped down around the blade, and blood poured out instantly.It was Hanson.At the last second, he caught the knife meant for her.For a split second, I was pulled back into the past.Back when I was younger, a man had fo

The voice over the radio came through, loud and clear.Hanson froze where he stood, his face going pale.My mother swayed a little, then she clutched my father's arm. "Could it be Melody…"My father patted her hand, forcing calm into his voice. "Don't jump to conclusions. There's no way it's her.""Exactly," Edward cut in, his voice suddenly louder, a hint of panic creeping through. "She's probably in some guy's bed right now. There's no way that body's hers."I hovered above them, watching, my chest tight with something I couldn't name."You'll know whether it's her once you identify the body," Amelia said, frowning."Actually, the school called me just now," Julia spoke up all of a sudden, letting out a soft sigh. "They said they found Melody. She was at a bar."She shook her head lightly. "I can't believe after five years, she still hasn't changed. She even threw her own daughter into the ocean and ran off to drink."Lies!Every word out of her mouth was a lie.I rushed

My mother let out a sharp, broken scream."Melody! Darling!"My father stared at my ruined body, his face drained of all color. His mouth opened like he wanted to say something, but nothing came out. He just stood there, frozen.Edward looked like he was falling apart. He shook his head over and over, refusing to accept what was right in front of him.Watching them like this, something inside me loosened. All that bitterness I had been carrying finally cracked."No… That's not my sister. Melody's still alive," Edward muttered, as if he was trying to convince himself.Suddenly, his eyes lit up."Julia said she's at the reform school. That body can't be Melody. I want a DNA test!"His voice shook as he yanked out a strand of his own hair and shoved it at the officer.At Amelia's signal, the officer took it, then carefully collected a sample from my body and sent it off. An hour later, the officer came back.Before he could even speak, Edward grabbed the report out of his hands.

Hanson's words seemed to push Julia over the edge.She burst out laughing, wild and sharp."Hanson, stop pretending you're so devoted. You say you loved her? If you did, how could you be stupid enough not to see I was setting her up?"I barely had to try, and you believed she was sleeping around and even had someone else's child behind your back."You're just as stupid as the rest of the Wells family!"She screamed at him, every word cutting deep.Hanson didn't flinch."You're right. I was stupid. I let my anger take over. All I could think about was being betrayed by the person I loved most. There wasn't room for anything else. That's why you got your chance."He paused, his voice steady."But it doesn't matter now. Once Tess is strong enough to stand on her own, I'll apologize to Melody myself."After that, he had Julia locked inside an iron cage.There were already people inside.Some were missing arms or legs. Others couldn't see or hear.I recognized them. They were t