When Chloe Miller’s men had dragged my half-dead body to the town entrance and set me ablaze, it was Mrs. Thompson who had been forced to hand them the torch.
Now, her words made Daniel uneasy and confused.
Behind him, a bodyguard sneered:
“Mr. Reed, she’s probably just a crazy old woman. You can’t trust what she says.”
“And didn’t Emily just text you? How could a dead person send messages?”
Daniel nodded, his expression easing.
“You’re right.”
He turned and left with his men, while behind the door Mrs. Thompson shook violently, tears streaming down her face as she muttered over and over:
“I’m sorry, Emmy. I’m so sorry. They threatened my grandson. They said if I didn’t burn you, they’d break his legs…”
“It’s Grandma’s fault. Forgive me…”
I drifted not far away, shaking my head, wanting to reach out and comfort her.
Grandma, it’s not your fault.
The true culprits were the ones who wanted me dead.
Thinking of Chloe, I clenched my fists and returned, intending to frighten her.
And there she was, clutching the very phone that had once been mine—
pretending to be me as she typed messages to Daniel.
Memories I had almost buried came surging back.