Forgive, Never Forget

While we were arguing, Lucas was brought back from the edge.

The second he saw me, he screamed and curled in on himself, backing away like I was some kind of monster. "Don't come near me! You already leaked my photos, what more do you want?! Get out! Just get out!"

My parents immediately stepped between us, their eyes throwing daggers of suspicion my way.

My throat tasted like blood. I forced the words out. "I didn't spread those photos. If you don't believe me, call the cops right now."

I pulled out my phone.

Sarah snatched it out of my hands and smashed it on the floor before I could even blink. "Haven't you caused enough of a scene?!"

The sound of my phone shattering echoed down the hospital hallway.

Someone recognized me. They held up their phone and started recording.

"That's the guy from Belland City—the famous jealous husband who's always catching his wife cheating."

"Honestly, I kind of feel bad for him. His parents don't give a damn about him. I heard his bride ditched him for a bar on their wedding night."

"Yeah, he chased after her in his tux and got into a fight."

On and on they went, talking about every stupid thing I'd ever done.

My head was ringing. I could see that night again like it was happening right in front of me.

The pouring rain. Sarah wrapped around some muscle-bound guy, kissing him like no one was watching.

I charged at them, no thinking, just pure rage. But I was outnumbered. They shoved me to the ground and beat me. My white tuxedo was ruined—filthy, torn, soaked through.

And Sarah just stood there watching.

It wasn't until a crowd gathered that she finally bothered to pull them off me. She looked down at me with pure disgust. "Just go home. Stop embarrassing yourself."

My body started shaking. I dug my nails into my numb palms and tried to walk away, my steps unsteady.

But Sarah thought I was running. She grabbed me and shoved me down onto the edge of the bed.

"You did something wrong, so apologize. Now."

My knees slammed into the floor. The pain drained the color from my face. I looked at my parents, begging for some kind of help. They both looked away at the exact same time.

My heart sank like a stone. I let out a bitter laugh.

It's fine. I stopped expecting anything from them a long time ago. I didn't want to fight Sarah anyway. All I cared about was keeping the baby safe.

Lucas just watched me, waiting. He was waiting for me to lose it, to start foaming at the mouth like I always did, like the pathetic clown they all thought I was.

But I just looked at him, calm as anything, and accepted the lie. "I'm sorry, Lucas."

Lucas's face froze. He stared at me, completely stunned.

Sarah helped me to my feet. She smiled and ruffled my hair. "I'm proud of you for admitting you were wrong."

I didn't react. I just said, "There's a car I really want. Can you buy it for me?"

Sarah's smile faltered. Her brow furrowed.

She used to love throwing money at me to shut me up. But now that money was all I cared about, something about it made her deeply uncomfortable.

In the end, I got the car. But Sarah's face stayed sour.

My mother looked at me with a mix of annoyance and contempt, like she was thinking, 'See? This is why you'll never be classy.'

I didn't give any of them a second thought. I just turned to leave.

And then Lucas hugged me from behind. "I forgive you, Jason," he said, playing the part of the loving little brother.

Before I could even react, he collapsed onto the floor. His face twisted with fake terror as he looked up at me.

"Jason, please don't hit me. I swear I won't tell anyone."

The whole room went dead silent.

I stood there, completely lost. I took a step toward him.

"What are you talking about?"

Lucas only screamed louder, scrambling behind Sarah like a scared animal.

Sarah wrapped her arms around him. She glanced at me, then said, "Don't be afraid. Tell us what happened."