“Stop saying that,” I teased, my face turning red with embarrassment.
The crowd stirred at the sight.
Aunt Mary broke down completely, sobbing so hard she could barely speak.
“Zoey was such a good child! Why can’t you just tell us who hurt her?” she wailed. “Why couldn’t you let Zoey rest in peace? My poor child! You… you don’t deserve to live!”
Aunt Mary sobbed uncontrollably, her voice heavy with grief, while the people in the audience looked visibly moved.
Although their father, Uncle John, had seen many tragedies and usually kept his composure, witnessing his beloved wife break down like that caused him to falter.
He pulled his wife into his arms, whispering comforting words, but his eyes turned to me, filled with unmistakable hatred.
The memory on the screen continued.
After school, Zoey and I went to our secret spot—an abandoned park near the school with a small creek running through it.
We’d set up a tent there, a place almost no one knew about. We often went there to buy snacks, grill food, and have little picnics, away from the world.
Seeing this on the screen, the audience collectively gasped.
This was the very place where Zoey’s tragedy had occurred.
When the case was first opened to search for clues, this spot was mentioned, but unfortunately, no useful evidence was found.
The place had been abandoned for too long.
Zachary broke down in tears, unable to hold it together any longer.
“It’s all my fault," he cried out. "If I hadn’t taken Zoey to that place, everything would’ve been different.”
But then his gaze shifted to me.
“Zoey loved you so much! How could you be so heartless, Joanne? Is your heart made of stone?!”
He punched the bed railing with all his might, as if somehow doing so would release the anger burning inside him.
Tears from Zachary fell onto my hand.
I could feel their heat, their sting.
“I… I tried, Zach,” I whispered, my voice barely audible, exhausted.
“Tried? You call this trying? You’re shielding a murderer! You’re breaking the law! You’re helping him escape justice!” Zachary screamed, his emotions spiraling out of control.
I closed my eyes, and the memory of that sunny girl flooded back. Her smile was so warm, it seemed able to melt even the coldest glaciers.
“Mr. Mitchell...”
The doctor beside us tried to speak, but hesitated, unsure of what to say.
Zachary shot him a cold glance.
The doctor involuntarily shivered, his body tensing in fear.