CHAPTER 4: THE FAMILY THAT CHOSE A LIAR
While officers escorted Preston away...
My father suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Evelyn."
"Don't do this."
I stared at him.
"Don't do what?"
"He's your brother."
I looked toward the police car outside.
"He stopped being my brother..."
"...when he chose my daughter as his victim."
Mother reached for my hand.
"We can fix this."
"You always forgive."
Those words hurt more than anything.
Because they were true.
I always had.
I paid Preston's debts.
Covered his mistakes.
Skipped college so my parents could fund his business.
Worked two jobs while he vacationed in Europe.
Every sacrifice had been called...
"Supporting family."
Until tonight.
I slowly pulled my hand away.
"No."
"This ends here."
Father's expression hardened.
"If you testify..."
"You'll destroy this family."
I looked toward the ambulance carrying Sophie.
"You already destroyed it."
"You just expected me to keep pretending."
Madison quietly removed her wedding ring.
The reception hall watched in stunned silence.
She placed it in Preston's empty champagne glass.
"I won't spend my life married to a man who framed a little girl."
She walked away without looking back.
The violinists packed their instruments.
The florist quietly began removing decorations.
The wedding ended before the first dance.
May you like
Not because of me.
Because truth finally arrived.
