Jason shook his head slowly, smiling like a madman. “No, darling. She has everything to do with this. If you want her safe, you’re going to do exactly as I say.”
My heart sank. “What do you want?”
“You’re going to make a video,” he said coldly. “You’ll post it online, apologizing to Chloe. You’ll tell everyone it was an accident. That you’re not blaming her for your son’s death. The trolls will stop. The hospital will reinstate her. Everything will be fine again.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “Never. Never in this life will I defend her. She killed my son, Jason! She doesn’t deserve sympathy, she deserves prison or worse!”
His eyes gleamed dangerously. “That’s why Jane is here. To motivate you.”
Jane sobbed harder, shaking her head. “Amber, please… don’t let him—”
Jason leaned in close, whispering like poison. “If you don’t do the video, I’ll post her naked pictures online.”
Jane gasped. “No!” She broke into hysterical sobs, thrashing against the ropes.
Jason laughed cruelly. “Just imagine it. Your sweet, innocent sister is barely eighteen. Everyone at her boarding school seeing her like that. Her reputation will be destroyed. She’ll never recover.”
I felt sick. My whole body trembled. “You’re bluffing.”
Jason smirked. “Am I?”
He pulled out his phone, tapped a few buttons, and Jane let out a bloodcurdling scream. “No! Don’t! Amber, stop him!”
The horror in her voice told me it was real. Jason wasn’t bluffing.
My world collapsed. I could not let her suffer. “Stop! I’ll do it,” I shouted. “I’ll do the video!”
Jason grinned, victorious. “Smart girl.”
He shoved a phone into my hand and forced me to sit. My tears blurred the camera as I spoke, my voice hollow.
“My son’s death was an accident,” I said, the words cutting me open. “Chloe isn’t to blame. I forgive her. Please stop harassing her. She deserves peace.”
Jason ended the recording, smiling with satisfaction.
Then, without warning, his fist shot out and smashed into Jane’s face. A sickening crack echoed. She slumped in the chair, blood pouring from her mouth.
“Jason!” I screamed.
“That’s your punishment,” he hissed. “For laying a hand on Chloe.” He stormed out, leaving the door wide open behind him.
I rushed to Jane, my hands shaking as I untied the ropes. “Stay with me, Jane, please… please forgive me,” I sobbed, cradling her limp body.
Her jaw was swollen, twisted. Her breaths were shallow.