A Final Fall novel Chapter 8

In the following days, Ashley became a whirlwind of vengeance. She unleashed her fury on those who had wronged me, mirroring the warden's cruelty, exacting a pound of flesh for every ounce of pain I had suffered.

She told me she had always felt indebted to Ethan because he had saved her during an avalanche. But when I revealed that it was I who had pulled her to safety, producing the trinket we had exchanged that day as proof, her feelings for him had evaporated.

Ethan was sent to the very prison that had broken me, with instructions to give him "special treatment." Word on the street was that he had lost an ear, his leg was mangled, and his mind was unraveling.

Claire's wedding day was approaching, and it was time to deal with Sean.

Ashley, true to her word, had located the driver Sean had bribed years ago. He had been released from prison, and under Ashley's pressure, he had confessed, his words captured on a recording.

On the wedding day, I arrived at the church wearing the same white suit I had worn on the day I was falsely accused.

Claire's face contorted with fury as soon as she saw me. "How dare you show your face here? You pathetic piece of trash! You're nothing but bad luck!"

"You have the audacity to wear that suit? After everything you did? You have no shame!"

Sean, his arm possessively around Claire's waist, gave me a smug look. "Claire, Leo was young and foolish back then. Maybe he didn't understand the gravity of his actions. Now that he's done his time, I'm sure he's a changed man."

His words elicited murmurs of disapproval from the guests. Claire, her face red with anger, raised her hand to strike me.

But Ashley stepped in front of me, blocking her blow.

Claire glared at her. "What has he done to you, Ashley? Why are you defending him? He doesn't deserve it!"

Ashley's voice was calm but firm. "You'll regret treating Leo like this, Claire."

I was numb to Claire's insults, her accusations. But I had to clear my name. I couldn't let their lies define me, couldn't let them bury the truth.

I took out the recorder and pressed play. The driver's voice, clear and steady, filled the church. Claire's face morphed from anger to disbelief, then to shame and horror.

"Leo..." Tears streamed down her face as she slapped herself repeatedly. "I was wrong. I'm so sorry. Punish me however you want."

"Please, let me take care of you now."

I held up my phone, a ghost of a smile on my lips. "Thank you, Claire. It's your wedding day. I should be giving you a gift."

Realization dawned on her, and she turned on Sean, her voice a chilling whisper. "You monster. The wedding is off. You're going to rot in prison with Ethan."

Sean, his face pale with terror, knew exactly what awaited him in that hellhole.

"No! Claire, please! Don't send me back! I love you! I did it all for you!"