Chapter 21
Vanessa’s death fell like a massive stove into still waters, creating ripples throughout the small city
Initially people expresed regret, wondering how such a promising young woman could meet such an end. But as rumors spread about her fleeing arrest, the whispers changed in mullerings that carried an undercurrent of “the had it coming. ||
Maxwell received the news at the military base.|||
The communications officer cautiously handed him the note. After reading it. Maxwell remained silent for a long time before finally crumpling it and tossing it into the trash.]
Sunlight streamed through the window, warming has unitem, yet he felt a bone–deep chill–the girl who had called him “Max” since childhood, who had manipulated his emotions with tears and smiles, was simply poor
He felt no expected relief, only a strange emptiness, as if something had been carved out of him
Jordan’s parents were completely broken]
Hurying a child, especially under such thameful circumstances left the unable to bold their heads up in the neighborhood
Neighbors avoided them, and those who had once flamered Vanessa now looked at them with contempt.
The couple sat at home for days, staring at Vanessa’s tyroom until they finally broke down in tears
at’s our fault…we spoiled he… Her mother beat her chest, sobbing uncontrollably. If only we hadn’t favored her.. if we had let her take Jordan’s place…]
“What’s the use of saying that now?” Her father’s gaze was empty. “We failed Vanessa, and we failed jordan even more…
After much reflection, their only hope seemed to be Jordan.[]
Perhaps…. perhaps obtaining her forgiveness might ease their burden?
That afternoon, jordan’s parents, hunched and haggard, arrived at Ashland University’s gate.
1-
Wearing faded clothes, their faces etched with exhaustion, they stood in stack contrast to the Fibrant students around them
When the security guard stopped them, her mother nearly knelt “Please, wire looking for Jordan Hays. She’s our daughter._||
Unable to deal with the commotion, the guard sent word to Jurdan ||
Her roommate bristled upon hearing the news. “What? They have the nerve to show up? Jordan, don’t even acknowledge them
Emmett also frowned. “Would you like me to handle this?||
Jardan set down her book, remained silent for a moment, then shook her head. “Tilee them
Someters needed final dogure.||
Under the old oak tree by the campus gate, her parents‘ eyes testudy reddened at the sight of Jordan approaching,
Ber mother rushed forward to grab her hand but was cuddly avoided.||
“”“Jenden.……..” her mother’s voice bruke, “Are you… are you doing well?”
Lopking at these two familiar yet strange faces, Jordan felt surprisingly calm, without the haired she had imagined []
She remembered how in her previous He, they hadn’t shyed a tear at her death, how when falsely accused of stealing the necklace, her father had immediately seat lies to the county correction fading, how when the canopy had crashed her shoulder, her mother had eyes only for Vanessa’s scratched skin||
Where I’m well or not, what does it matter to you?” she asked quiety!]
Her father’s lips tended as he pulled a cloth bundle from his pocket, pushing in
it toward þordan. “Jordan, this is money we saved for you. You vast need loving
expenses for college, right?
“We truly regret everything. Can you can you forgive us?
The bundle was heavy, seemingly filled with coins and bills.
No need. I can enough from my writing to support myself,” jordan didn’t accept it, smiling faintly with a hint of sadness. “As for forgiveness, did you ever consider this day would come when you pushed me into the abyss? ||
w our mistakest Vanessa is already… cand you show merry for the sake of us bring your
Her mother burst into loud sobe. “We were wrong! Jordan, we truly know ar birth parents
Birth parents” jordan repeated those words, her eyes finally showing emotion. “When did you ever treat me as your daughter? |||
forgive you. Some wounds can’t be healed with a simple sorry |
With that she turned and walked bark toward campus without a backward glance
