Chapter 1 - The Blame
Two days earlier, Emma Carter had believed her biggest problem was graduating college without disappointing her father’s memory.
She had been wrong.
The accident changed everything.
Emma woke beneath fluorescent hospital lights with a fractured wrist, bruised ribs, and a memory that came in broken pieces.
Rain.
Headlights.
Tyler yelling.
A sharp turn.
Then darkness.
Everyone told her Tyler had been driving.
Everyone except Tyler.
He had refused to speak.
Diane had spoken for him.
She told the police that Emma had taken the car without permission.
She told the insurance company that Emma had been reckless.
She even told the hospital staff that Emma had become emotionally unstable since their father’s death.
Emma could not understand why her own mother was destroying her.
Then Diane entered the room.
Diane: “You need to cooperate.”
Emma looked at her.
Emma: “With what?”
Diane placed a folder on the bed.
Diane: “Tyler made a mistake.”
Emma stared at the folder.
Emma: “He was driving.”
Diane: “That is not what you are going to say.”
Emma felt something cold settle in her stomach.
Emma: “You want me to lie?”
Diane leaned closer.
Diane: “I want you to protect your family.”
Emma almost laughed.
Family.
That word had become Diane’s favorite weapon.
Since her father died, everything had changed.
The house.
The bank accounts.
The family business.
Even the way Diane looked at Emma.
Before the accident, Emma had believed her mother was grieving.
Now she wondered whether Diane had simply been waiting.
Waiting for Emma to become inconvenient.
Diane opened the folder.
Inside was a statement already prepared.
It said Emma had taken the vehicle.
It said she had been driving.
It said Tyler had been a passenger.
Emma stared at the page.
Emma: “I won't sign this.”
Diane’s expression hardened.
Diane: “If you don't, Tyler goes to prison.”
Emma: “He should tell the truth.”
Diane: “You don't understand what you're doing.”
Emma: “I understand exactly what you're asking.”
Diane lowered her voice.
Diane: “Your father would have done anything for Tyler.”
Emma looked away.
That sentence hurt more than it should have.
Because her father had always done everything for her too.
At least, she had thought he did.
Then Diane whispered something that made Emma turn back.
Diane: “Your father left Tyler something.”
Emma frowned.
Emma: “What?”
Diane smiled without warmth.
Diane: “You'll understand soon.”
She walked out.
May you like
Emma stared at the closed door.
For the first time, she wondered whether the accident had really been an accident.
