Chapter 504
Chapter 504
“Hayden!”
I grabbed his arm, my voice barely steady. He looked down, his eyes meeting mine, and for a second, I couldn’t get the words out. My lips trembled, but he understood.
Just as the knot in my throat tightened, he murmured, low and rough, “We need an answer.”
With that, he gently slid my hand off his arm, took the envelope, and opened it.
His movements were quick, almost like he was afraid if he slowed down, I might stop him.
Inside, a few lines were scrawled on yellowed paper, but I couldn’t bring myself to look. Hayden read each word, carefully, his face set. When he was done, he glanced at Cedric, as if asking for confirmation.
Cedric nodded, his voice low. “I knew what this report meant, which is why I had it double–checked. Three independent repair shops examined everything, and their findings are in there too.”
Hayden reached in and pulled out additional sheets. Each document was as aged as the first, but all of them bore signatures and.official stamps.
This was real.
He looked back at me, then held the papers out. I didn’t even need to read them; I already knew.
But my hand shook as I took them anyway. Cedric spoke gently. “Miss Kay, you should see for yourself. If you have questions, I’m here.”
I looked at him, his expression calm, encouraging. Taking a breath, I glanced down at the report.
[June 10, 2013 – Cedarwood Road.
[Summary of Findings: A traffic accident occurred on this date. Technical analysis determined the cause as brake system failure, with signs of deliberate tampering.
[Additional Investigation: The vehicle’s route confirms Jim Patterson was the sole driver; no other person accessed the car before the crash. Consequently, Jim Patterson is considered a primary suspect. However, with his passing, there remains insufficient evidence to conclude his intent regarding the brake tampering.]
“Insufficient evidence“-a hollow, bitter phrase.
”
“This conclusion was… inconclusive,” Cedric said, his tone matching the disappointment in the words. Which is why it never made it to the official report. But since you both wanted answers, I’m giving it to you
now.”
He paused, his voice softer. “You’re both adults now. How you interpret this… that’s up to you. But don’t forget what I said: people need to look forward.”
He looked back at my parents‘ gravestone one last time. “They’d want you to live in the present. Not be chained to the past.”
With that, he left, leaving me and Hayden standing by their graves.
Neither of us spoke. Once, we’d been the closest of lovers; now, with this report between us, we felt more
+25 BONUS
Chapter 504
like strangers. And maybe, after this, we’d become enemies.
This… this was the very definition of adding insult to injury.
After a long silence, Hayden spoke. “If there’s anything you want to say, or need from me, just tell me.”
But what could I possibly say?
What could I ask for?
They’d been gone ten years. Nothing would change that.
Before, I’d been so afraid of the truth, dreading it. But now, holding the report in my hands, I just felt… numb. Yet his words still cut through..
“What do you want me to say?” I muttered. “What do you expect me to ask for?”
