Chapter 5

Caroline POV

Hospital corridor. The lights shone on my face, unable to illuminate any trace of color.

Gavin appeared at the end of the corridor with his assistant.

"I can pay for Jason's surgery."

Gavin stopped in front of me, tone businesslike. "And I can drop the criminal charges against him."

I raised my head, eyes filled with desolation. "What are the conditions?"

This man never made a losing deal.

Gavin pulled out a document and handed it to me.

"Tomorrow night, Ruby is hosting a charity gala against cyberbullying. I want you to attend and publicly apologize."

I opened the document, my fingertips trembling.

The agreement stated I must admit that I had slandered Ruby out of jealousy by claiming she faked her suicide attempt, and confess that I had bullied Ruby for an entire year.

"I didn't do those things."

I closed the document, voice hoarse. "Black can't become white."

"Is that so?"

Gavin laughed coldly, pulling out an injury assessment. "If Jason's right hand doesn't get surgery immediately and the nerves die, he'll never pick up a paintbrush again for the rest of his life."

He paused, delivering another blow. "Also, Jason must appear on camera to apologize too."

My head snapped up, staring at him. "He just had surgery! You want to force someone who just came out of the operating room to apologize to a fraud?"

"This is the justice you and he owe Ruby."

Gavin adjusted his cuffs, expression indifferent. "Besides, having a brother who just had surgery appear on camera makes the apology seem more sincere, doesn't it?"

In that instant, I felt utterly hopeless.

I looked at this man I'd once loved so deeply.

The one who used to warm my hands in his pockets during winter.

The one who'd promised to protect me forever.

That boy died three years ago.

Standing before me now was just a demon in human skin.

"Fine."

I took the pen and signed my name on the agreement.

...

Jason was wheeled into the operating room.

I sat on the bench outside, waiting.

While they operated, I opened an app to check flight prices.

I was planning to leave this place. Go south to find a small coastal town where no one knew me, open a bed and breakfast.

Leave everything here behind and start a new life.

But I still needed to figure out how to resolve my brother's case.