What hurt the most was Jared’s behaviour.

Since my parents stopped standing up for me, he became the person I trusted and cared about the most. I told him everything, and he was the only person I had ever sent this video to.

Back then, Jared was just an amateur hiker who had gotten caught in a sudden storm. He would have died had I not risked my life to save him.

Since that incident, Jared never left my side. He would look at me as if I had hung the stars in the sky, hoping I would accept his love.

“Be my girlfriend, Charlie! I won’t stop pestering you until you do!

“I can see that you’re going through a lot. Let me share your burden.”

Seeing his consistent efforts, I accepted him and told him everything that was happening at home.

In the beginning, he would comfort me and promise me a future with a family and a home of our own. However, somewhere down the line, he started getting closer to Jenny.

I realized too late. Before I could confront Jared, he and my parents forced me to be Jenny’s scapegoat.

The video killed whatever remaining shreds of love I had for him.

Jared returned at night. When he saw my injuries, he rushed over worriedly. “What happened? Come on. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

I shrugged him off coolly. “Why does she have the video?”

Jared paled. “Jenny wasn’t doing very well mentally in the beginning. You don’t know what that trophy means to her. I only sent it to her because I didn’t want her to hurt or kill herself. You can’t hike anymore, so it probably doesn’t mean anything to you anyway.”

“How are you so sure it means nothing to me?”

Only then did Jared look remorseful. He came to stand in front of me and held my shoulders. He explained gently, “I didn’t think too much about it at the time. We can go to whatever mountain you want, okay? I’ll film a new video for you.”

Looking into his eyes, I felt conflicted, and my mind was a mess.

Then, my parents suddenly rushed inside.

“Jared! Jenny’s hurt!”

Jared let go of me and rushed out, while my parents glared at me for doing nothing.

“You don’t even care if something’s happened to your sister, do you? I already know you’re behind this.”

They ran out too.

As I prepared for bed, I received a call from Jared. He was silent for a long while before he finally spoke grimly. “Come over, Charlie. They found new evidence on the case. I think it might prove your innocence.”

I did not fully believe him, but the chance was too important to ignore, so I rushed to the location he had sent.

When Jared saw me, he averted his gaze and bit his lip nervously.

I was about to ask him what was going on when my father hit my good leg with his hiking pole. I fell to my knees, and I heard my calf bone crack.

I shuddered at the pain.

A few familiar faces approached, and I heard my mother’s voice from beside me.

“I admit that we hid the truth from you. Charlie wanted to beat Jenny. That’s why she took your children hiking.”

My body grew cold. History was repeating itself.

Jared knelt in front of me with concern and whispered, “These families forgave you because they thought it was an accident, but with the new evidence and stories surfacing online, they’re angry and came here to ask for an explanation.

“They couldn’t find you, so they found Jenny instead. I was worried something would happen to Jenny, so I…”

My vision blurred, and I smiled at him. “So you want me to take the blame for Jenny again?”

“Enough! How dare you! You were the one who killed those kids! What does that have to do with Jenny?!”

My father hit my back with the hiking pole.

My mother cradled Jenny against her chest and glared at me.

“These are the consequences of your own actions. I won’t let you drag Jenny down with you! I’ll never forgive you if this triggers her bad memories and sets Jenny’s healing journey back!”

Jared dabbed at my cold sweat and took my hands. “Just let them take their anger out on you, then we can start a new life! I’ll never leave you alone, I promise. I’ll be with you this whole time.”

My father threw his hiking pole at me. “None of this would’ve happened if you weren’t obsessed with hurting your own sister!”

My mother held Jenny close and screamed, “Do you know how much Jenny’s suffered all these years because of you?! She’s finally gotten her chance to start a new and hopeful life! Why are you so determined to ruin it for her?!”

‘Starting a new and hopeful life? What about me? Do I have to live as a murderer for the rest of my life instead?’ I asked myself.

My parents looked unsure when they met my incredulous gaze, and Jared’s eyes grew red.

“Let’s get married after this, Charlie.”

Jenny glared at me resentfully, then closed her eyes and ‘fainted’ in my mother’s arms.

“Jenny!”

Jared whipped his head backward. Hesitation and conflict swirled behind his eyes at the sight of Jenny fainting.

“Jared! You’re the only one who can stop Jenny from hurting herself! Come with us to the hospital!”

“But…” Jared looked at me instinctively. After a moment’s struggle, he tightened his grip around my hand.

“They just want to know the truth about what happened. They won’t hurt you. I’ll be back before you know it. Jenny needs me now, and I can’t let anything happen to her.”

I watched Jared and my parents rush away and closed my eyes hopelessly.

When I opened them next, all that was left was cold indifference.

With a smile, I looked at the families of the three victims and asked, “Do you want to know the truth about what happened?”