Betrayed, Then Claimed by Fate

Chapter6 She'll never believe me

Chapter5 She'll never believe me

Lynn's POV

"You're delusional!" Mom's voice rises to a shriek, face contorting with rage. "This is fake! You made this up—some kind of sick AI video to destroy your sister's reputation!"

"Mom, I—"

"Don't you dare!" Her hand flies up before I can react.

The slap cracks across my face like a gunshot. My head snaps to the side, cheek burning where her palm connected. The metallic taste of blood fills my mouth where my teeth cut into my inner lip.

For a moment, the room goes silent. Even Dad freezes, eyes wide with shock.

"Jenny—" he starts.

"No!" Mom's finger jabs toward me, trembling with fury. "I will not stand here and let her spread these vicious lies about Amy. This is jealousy, pure and simple. Amy would never—she's not capable of such things!"

The pain in my cheek is nothing compared to the agony tearing through my chest. I stare at my mother—the woman who gave birth to me, who should protect me—and see nothing but blind devotion to my sister.

'She'll never believe me. Nothing I say or show will ever matter.'

The realization hits like a second slap. Harder. More devastating.

There's no point. No amount of evidence will penetrate Mom's delusion. She's chosen Amy, just like she always has. Just like she always will.

"You're right, Mom." My voice comes out flat, dead. "I should go."

"Not until you apologize to your sister for these horrible accusations!"

I grab my purse, heading for the door. Every step feels like walking through quicksand.

"And don't come back until you're ready to tell Amy you're sorry!"

I stop at the threshold. My hand grips the doorknob so hard my knuckles go white.

"I'll apologize to Amy," I say quietly, "right around the time hell freezes over."

The door slams behind me. I make it three steps down the front walk before my legs give out.

I sink onto the curb, hands shaking violently. My cheek throbs where Mom hit me. The taste of blood still coats my tongue.

'This is my family. This is what they think of me.'

Not worth believing. Not worth protecting. Just the bitter, jealous daughter who makes up stories.

The phone in my purse buzzes. I pull it out with trembling fingers.

Flight confirmationLAX departure 6:45 PM.

Three hours. I have three hours to get to the airport and leave this poisoned city behind.

I stand on unsteady legs, wiping tears I didn't realize were falling.

'f**k this. f**k all of them.'

Los Angeles is waiting. A new life. A fresh start. Three thousand miles from people who would rather believe comfortable lies than uncomfortable truths.

I pull out my phone and call a car service.

"Lynn, wait!"

Dad's voice stops me halfway to the street. He's hurrying down the steps, slightly out of breath, face etched with concern and something that looks like belief.

"Dad, you don't have to—"

"Yes, I do." He reaches me, detective's composure cracking. "I believe you."

The simple words hit harder than Mom's slap. My throat tightens with tears I'm barely holding back.

"Your mother has always had blind spots when it comes to Amy." He runs a hand through graying hair. "But I've noticed things over the years. Heard things. I should have said something sooner."

"Like what?"