Katelyn leaned back on the bench, her hands gripping its edge as her thoughts tangled into knots.
“I can’t wrap my head around it. What could Lise have said to make Zoey go along with this? She’s not a child. Didn’t she think about what jumping off that building would mean?”
“If this doesn’t get sorted, your career is done. Everywhere you go, people will call you a murderer.” Vincent spoke, letting the words settle before continuing, his tone growing colder.
“And it could get worse. If they find hard evidence against you or things escalate further, you could face jail time. That’s how quickly this can spiral.”
Katelyn clenched her eyes shut. Her hands balled into fists on her lap. The sense of helplessness tightened its grip, and her chest felt heavy.
“I made a mistake,” she said finally, her voice tight with regret.
“I saw how greedy Zoey’s family was, and I didn’t walk away. I kept helping them because I couldn’t be firm.”
Ten long years of giving and sacrifices. Yet, in just a few short days, everything had come undone. And now, Katelyn was being vilified for it.
Her lips twisted into a bitter smile.
“I was wrong,” she muttered.
“Next time, I’ll make sure no one gets the chance to hurt me.”
Vincent stepped forward, his voice softening as he rested a hand on her shoulder.
“You weren’t wrong to care, Katelyn. Your kindness isn’t the problem. The problem is giving it to people who don’t deserve it.”
Katelyn looked at him, forcing a small smile.
“I’ve learned my lesson.”
As the words left her lips, the distant sound of footsteps broke the silence, echoing down the corridor.
The individual at the forefront of the group was dressed in black and appeared to be in his fifties. A bald patch marked his head, and his skin bore the darkened shade of someone long accustomed to outdoor labor.
Several others followed behind him, all dressed alike and sharing the same complexion, but each one wore a look of anger.
Katelyn immediately recognized the man leading. It was Zoey’s father, Zayden Powell.
Zayden moved with a fierce glare fixed on Katelyn.
“You drove my daughter to jump from a building, you heartless villain! Do you realize the dedication it takes to raise a child?”
Close on Zayden’s heels, Zoey’s mother, Wrenley, followed.
“You murderer, return my daughter to health! Should she come to any harm, I vow revenge upon your family!”
Vincent rose swiftly, stepping in front of Katelyn to protect her from their wrathful stares.
.
.
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