CRYSTAL.
I scoffed, crossing my arms tighter across my chest until my nails bit into my skin.
“Oh, now you care?” My voice shook with anger I’d held in for five long, miserable years. “After five years, Derek? Five whole years?”
He inhaled slowly — guilt tightening around his features — but instead of apologizing, he said:
“What would you have me do, Crystal? You brought shame to our name. Dad’s business took a nosedive because of the scandal you brought. He almost died, Crystal.”
I blinked.
That was it?
That was his justification?
My heart sank before it hardened.
“So that’s the story?” I said quietly. “That’s how you’ve convinced yourself you’re innocent?”
He swallowed, continued anyway. “You have to understand… we thought—”
“Yeah,” I cut in sharply, “you thought I was runnin
