Those words pierced my heart.
Yes, Daniel sent me to prison.
Would he abandon his happy life and his
career to clear my name?
I didn’t dare think.
His voice softened. “There are many
unanswered questions about Kaylee’s death.
Maybe she didn’t commit suicide…”
“Daniel, why are you suddenly concerned
about my sister?” Katie asked incredulously.
“Are you going to abandon your family for a
dead woman?”
“As a lawyer, I have a responsibility…
“”
“Responsibility?” Katie sneered. “To a dead
person? Daniel, if you keep investigating,
you’ll ruin everything. Would you do this for
someone you hate?”
く
“…”
Katie interrupted.
“Okay, Daniel, I was harsh,” Katie hugged
him. “It’s been three years since the case closed. Her harm to me is irreparable. Please,
as our child’s father, let’s not mention this again, okay?”
She kissed his forehead.
“I’ll go for the checkup myself. Calm down,
honey. See you tonight.
After Katie left, Daniel seemed to make a
decision.
He went to his study.
Hours passed.
Daniel continued poring over my files, his
brow furrowed.
Suddenly, a line caught his eye.
He made a call.
“Hello? In Kaylee Smith’s case, there was a
witness, Mark Johnson, who wanted to
<
testify. Yes, please give me his contact
information.”
He breathed a sigh of relief, leaning back,
rubbing his temples.
His eyes held sadness and remorse.
“Kaylee, maybe… I was wrong…‘
“What should I do?”
No one answered.
“”
The repair shop was in a narrow alley, reeking
of gasoline and rust.
As Daniel got out, a tall, thin man slid out
from under a car.
His faded snake tattoo on his right arm was
still visible.
I stared at him, wanting to rip him apart.
One of the men who had violated me three
years ago.
“Mark?” Daniel stepped forward coldly. “I
want to talk about three years ago.”
Mark hesitated, then sneered.
^
“I saw you on the news, you’re Katie’s
husband. Are you here to see if I’ll spill the beans? Relax, I got paid, I’m professional.” Daniel’s heart jumped.
“I’m here to ask why you wanted to testify for Kaylee, why you changed your mind, and
didn’t show up?”
“Are you crazy?” Mark was impatient. “Didn’t
your wife pay me to shut up? I had a change
of heart, wanted to tell the truth, but money
talks.”
Mark’s words were like a bolt from the blue.
Daniel almost stumbled.
Calming down, Daniel took out a check.
“Name your price. You have evidence, right?
Give it to me.”
Mark grinned, producing a USB drive.
“You’re efficient. Your wife said she couldn’t
afford the ten million I asked for the
evidence.”
Daniel took the evidence and turned to leave.
Mark said, “Mr. Reynolds, your family is
vicious. I heard your wife killed Kaylee Smith
in prison. Why so much hatred?”
“What did you say?!”
Daniel grabbed his collar, his eyes bloodshot.
“Katie killed Kaylee?”
“Didn’t you know?” Mark narrowed his eyes.
“It was brutal. Your wife is Kaylee’s sister,
she’s ruthless.”
“”
Daniel released his grip, trembling.
I turned away.
The Grim Reaper appeared.
“It’s the fifth day, two more days. Do you
want him to see you?”
I shook my head.
“I hate him.”
“But your obsession stems from him.”
“I’ve let go. I don’t want to forgive him. I want
to see him ruined alone They killed me I
n them destroy each other.”
I watched Daniel bow his head, tears
streaming down his face.
“Kaylee, I…”
He couldn’t say it.
It was too late.
“Mr. Reynolds, based on received reports and
preliminary investigations, you committed significant professional misconduct in representing Ms. Katie in the assault case against Ms. Smith. What’s your explanation?” The lawyer’s association hearing room was freezing. The bright lights hurt the eyes, but Daniel stared at the national emblem, never
shifting his gaze.
“Mr. Reynolds, you were in a relationship with
Ms. Smith, and close to Ms. Katie. You grew
up together. Did this influence your
judgment?”
The air froze.
“Such as?”
“Such as Ms. Katie’s testimony. She said Ms.
Smith was evil, jealous, hateful. I was swayed, believing Ms. Smith capable of harming her sister. Medical records show Ms. Katie’s arm
wounds were self–inflicted, not consistent
with her testimony of a knife attack, which I
overlooked…
“”
“And, I now realize there were two
videotapes.
“”
“I only had one tape. After verifying its
authenticity, I trusted it, ignoring crucial
details…”
“One tape was a staged setup by Katie to
frame her sister. The new tape is evidence of
Katie’s assault on Kaylee Smith.”
The room erupted in murmurs.
Daniel looked around, then froze.
“Kaylee?”
Looked at him. but his gaze was fixed on me.
<
His expression was excited, a glimmer in his
eyes.
He blinked, and the image was gone.
He hung his head.
“Mr. Reynolds, anything else?”
Daniel took a deep breath. “New evidence
suggests a grave miscarriage of justice. I
request the prosecution re–examine the
case.”
Leaving the building, the sun shone on Daniel.
Susan stood coldly at the bottom of the
steps, watching him.
“You still have some conscience.”
“This is what I owe her. I’ll pay any price.
“”
Susan was about to speak when a crowd of
reporters rushed towards them.
Cameras flashed.
