Chapter 9
+25 BONUS
Chapter 9
Taylor came looking for him repeatedly, even bringing Anya with her a few times. They dressed provocatively and threw themselves at Quentin as soon as he opened the door.
But every time, he would rip into them and throw them out.
The worst time was when Quentin grabbed a kitchen knife. His eyes were bloodshot as he threatened Taylor, warning her never to bother him or me again.
He looked totally unhinged, and it scared Taylor senseless. She took off without saying another word.
By the second week of Quentin being home, the police finally had some news.
As Taylor’s defense lawyer, Quentin took back his statement and admitted to tampering with evidence at the scene. His confession played a huge role in moving the reinvestigation forward.
The police found my phone in a corner, more than 30 feet away from the accident site. The technicians unlocked it and found the provocative text Taylor had sent me.
With the evidence stacked against her and witnesses speaking up, Taylor finally admitted to her crimes. Anya was locked up, too; she was charged with neglect and first–degree murder.
Since the case was tied to Quentin’s own interests, the police brought in a new lawyer to handle it.
“Mr. Scofield, even though the real culprit has been caught, you’re a top lawyer, so you must understand how serious it is to deliberately tamper with crime scene evidence. You can’t avoid taking responsibility for this, no matter how great your track record is.”
“I understand,” Quentin said quietly, facing the truth. “Let this be my chance to make things right.”
Taylor was given a life sentence for attempted murder, with her actions being considered particularly brutal.
The day before Taylor’s execution, Quentin finally stepped outside after days of staying in.
Taylor remained calm when she saw Quentin, her gaze steady and unbothered. Her tone was casual, as if she were greeting an old friend. “Take a seat.
Quentin watched her closely. “Taylor, what was going through your mind when you hit Sharon’s car? Do you regret it?”
Taylor looked at him through the glass, and for a moment, something shifted in her otherwise blank expression.
1/3
+25 BONUS
Chapter 9
She jumped to her feet, pointing at Quentin through the bars. “Regret? I don’t regret a thing! The only thing I regret is not taking her out right then and there, so you wouldn’t have figured anything out!
“We should’ve been happy together! It’s all Sharon’s fault, that damn bitch! She couldn’t even let us have peace when she was gone!”
“Taylor Cross!” Quentin raised his fist, ready to strike her, but his last ounce of self- control kicked in at the last second.
“You cold–hearted bitch! You don’t deserve a damn bit of love for the rest of your life!” he
roared.
Taylor shot him a look full of contempt, her expression daring him to make a move. “Go ahead, make your move if you’ve got the guts! Yeah, I’m behind bars, but you’re not any better for destroying evidence, are you?
“I’m stuck in this mess, and you think you’re going to have a happy life? Yeah, you
but she’s dead now, all because of your indecision and distrust!
once,
did
“Quit dreaming about avenging them. You’re the one who took Sharon and Ruby’s lives! Quentin, their blood will haunt you forever!”
Taylor had been Quentin’s childhood sweetheart, and she knew him better than anyone- what he cared about, what drove him, and what he was trying to prove with everything he
did.
So she hit him with the brutal truth without holding back.
Quentin’s expression softened, and he suddenly seemed to calm down at her words. It was like a lightbulb went off in his head, and he gave a bitter smile.
“Yeah, how am I supposed to make up for my sins while I’m still here?” he mumbled.
After the funeral home reached out to Quentin back then, they kept my body for a bit longer. Since I didn’t have any other family, Quentin ended up making arrangements for my cremation.
How ironic was that? I had no family left. Ruby, my only relative, and I had both died because of Quentin. Yet, I still needed his approval for my cremation.
The moment I was pushed into the cremator, I felt a faint warmth in my soul and a wave of relief washing over me.
Only then did I realize Ruby had gone ahead of me. She’d been spared the pain, and that brought me some comfort.
And now, it was my turn to go. I could only hope I’d get to be Ruby’s mother again if there was an afterlife, and this time, I’d make sure she never had to suffer like that.
2/3
Chapter 9
+25 BONUS
I watched as Quentin wrapped things up with the funeral home staff, then headed to the spot where I’d had the car accident.
He stood on the bridge, his clothes whipping in the gusts. His eyes were set with a grim resolve as he stared at the river in the distance.
“Sharon, I’ll see you on the other side.”
A soft breeze swept through as a figure leaped off the bridge, disappearing into the water below without a sound.
I decided it was best to forget about it. I’d already dealt with enough bad luck. It was time for us to move on for good.
