Chapter 24
More and more people online started calling Hugh a loyal boyfriend. Some even went so far as to bash Kelly, calling her ungrateful
But everything shitted when Hugh went after his friend Lester, pushing him to the brink of financial disaster. In retaliation, Lester started revealing everything he knew
“Kelly’s a good person, no doubt. Back then, Hugh lost his eyesight because of his ex, Natalie. Kelly was the one who stood by him, helped him get through his depression, and waited for him to get his sight back.
“But as soon as he regained his vision, Hugh’s mom started treating Kelly differently, looking down on her. Still, Hugh stayed with her, and they were in love. Sadly, Natalie came back. All it took was for her to shed a few tears, and Hugh married her right away like a fool. He even tried to keep it from Kelly
“During that time, Natallest Kelly up time and time again, and Hugh–the “devoted guy you all praise–sided with Natalie, making Kelly’s life a living hell. That’s when Kelly left, and noen kow where she went
““But you guys, all you natve internet folks, just buy whatever story you’re fed. Do you really think Hugh’s some kind of devoted guy? He ‘devotedly married Natalie and got her pregnant, then panicked when the scandal hit and pressured her into getting an abortion.
“He even sent her off to some sleazy old geezer’s bed. If you all think so highly of Hugh, I hope you find a ‘soulmate‘ just like him!”
Lester’s big reveal tore Hugh’s reputation to shreds. The Johnstons scrambled to suppress the trending stories, but the Internet was already a step ahead.
Hugh had almost found Kelly, but now, everyone who might’ve helped him had berated him and blocked him for good. Furious, he went after Lester even harder
Lester went from being Hugh’s friend to his worst enemy. Before he knew it, he was drowning in debt and on the fast track to bankruptcy. With no way out, he finally cracked One day, while Hugh was driving, Lester got his hands on a van. He floored the gas and crashed right into Hugh’s car. The van was so old and battered that it crumpled on impact,
ling Lester instantly
Hugh’s car, built to withstand much worse, kept him from dying right away, but the crash still left him in bad shape. His organs started to shut down, and he lost his sight for good.
This time, there w
was no coming back for his vision.
When Hugh woke up, all he saw was darkness. He tried to stand, but it felt like he was sinking into thick, heavy air, weightless and helpless.
“What’s going on? What’s happening to me?
Losing his sight again sent a wave of panic rushing through him. The darkness around him blended with the nightmares he used to have. His voice trembled as he called out for Kelly, over and over
But no one responded.
The only reply came from a bodyguard who was clearly fed up. The bodyguard shot back, “shut up! Do you honestly think you still mean anything? Mrs, Johnston says you should be grateful you’re still breathing. If you can’t handle it, just kill yourself and stop showing up in public.”
Hugh’s voice cracked. “What do you mean by that?”
The bodyguard looked like he was about to say more, but then footsteps echoed through the door, and Natalie’s mocking voice cut through the air.
“You’re blind now, and there’s no fixing that. You know what that means for someone like you. Mrs. Johnston got me away from that creep and told me to stay close to you. After 25, you’re still her son.”
Hugh couldn’t see her. He could only feel her steps–slow and deliberate–getting closer. Then, she grabbed his chin, tight, just like he had grabbed hers when he uncovered the
“Isn’t this just perfect, Hugh? People like us, we’re meant to rot in hell together.”
All Hugh could manage was a muffled groan of pain..
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