Dad’s voice was thick with emotion. “We’re gonna make this right. We swear.”
My brother, standing behind them, curled his lips into a slow, twisted smile.
Then, his voice echoed in my mind.
‘System, use the last chance. Switch me and Deacon back!’
Everything went black, and I passed out again.
The pain vanished, and in a blink, my surroundings shifted.
I was back in my own body.
On the hospital bed, my little brother was clinging to Mom, sobbing.
“Mom! Dad! It was my brother’s fault I got kidnapped!”
His voice suddenly sharpened, and he pointed at me, his eyes full of hatred.
“What?!”
My parents spun around, their voices filled with rage. “Deacon! What the hell is going on?!”
Panic shot through me. I shook my head frantically, my face pale with fear, tears already spilling over.
“How could I ever hurt him? Mom! Dad! You have to believe me!”
In the middle of the chaos, the hospital door swung open.
A uniformed officer walked in, his face serious as he addressed my parents.
“Ma’am, Sir, we’ve uncovered the truth about Jorren’s kidnapping all those years ago.
“He’s being investigated for human trafficking and attempted poisoning. We need him to come and cooperate with us.”