Shadows Drift Beyond Memory by Xarin Vale novel Chapter 43

Chapter 5

The news about someone jumping from the school building spread like wildfire.

From the bullying to my disability, to the repeated harassment I’d endured–it all became trending news online.

Anna’s past arrogance and cruelty were dragged out, one incident after another.

The Department of Education launched an official investigation.

In the hospital room, Willow was shaking with rage over everything that had come out online.

Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. She couldn’t even get a full sentence out. Matthew sat beside her, his face dark, silent.

“Rachel, why… why didn’t you say anything?”

“Rachel…”

Hearing the sobs beside me, my own tears started to fall.

For the past ten years, they’d raised me like their own daughter.

Even though I knew it was because of what happened back then, feelings can’t be faked.

[Willow, I don’t want to go abroad anymore. I want to go to college in my uncle’s city.]

My hands trembled as I typed the words into my phone.

Willow read it and cried even harder.

“Is it because of what Quentin did? Did he hurt you? I promise I’ll make him pay!”

“And the bullying–I’ll make sure he gives you an explanation!”

“Rachel, please don’t leave me, okay? You’re still my girl!”

I hugged Willow and wiped her tears.

[Uncle said a new psychologist just came to the military hospital. Supposed to be really good.]

[Maybe he can help me. Maybe I’ll be able to speak again.]

When the accident happened all those years ago, my uncle was the first one to rush over.

15:16

His Girl Bro Lied ‘Not His Baby‘–DN Played Along, But Baby IS His!

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Chapter 5

He insisted on taking me to live with him. But Matthew and Willow begged him, over and over, to let me stay.

In the end, it was Quentin–kneeling–that made him give upon taking me away.

Matthew and Willow stood there now, unable to say a word.

They knew. I was leaving because of Quentin.

Some wounds no medicine could reach.

Just then, a figure appeared in the doorway.

Quentin stood there, breathless, clutching a crumpled sheet of paper – my college application.

“Rachel, you’re not going abroad?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you applied to universities in California? Why didn’t you tell me you can hear again?”

When Quentin asked those questions, there was guilt in his voice.

I didn’t react, just looked at him quietly.

This face. This boy. I’d known him for ten years.

But now he felt like a stranger.

Ever since Anna showed up, I realized–I’d never really known Quentin at all.

I used to think we were alike – quiet, disciplined, goal–driven. I thought we both liked quiet, stable lives.

Turns out, he didn’t.

He craved chaos, color, excitement – people who burned bright and loud.

That was the biggest difference between me and Anna.

I sniffled and picked up my phone. [You should go to college with Anna.]

[After all, you belong in the same world now.]

Quentin’s lips trembled as he read the words on my screen.

I knew he was scared.

He thought I was the type who wouldn’t stoop to Anna’s level

He thought I’d let it go–for his sake.

15:16

C

His Girl Bro Lied ‘Not His Baby–DNA Played Along. But Baby IS His!

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Chapter 5

But this time, I chose to blow it all up.

I kept backing down, over and over. And that just made Anna bolder.

By the time Quentin realized Anna was out of control, it was already too late.

He’d lost me.

“You did it on purpose?”

“You jumped just to make this a big deal. Just to get Anna punished?”

Quentin stared at me in disbelief, like I was some kind of monster.

But he forgot–Anna started it.

And he was the one who chose to cover for her.

[So what if I did?]

[What, you think I should’ve waited for you to stand up for me?]

[I was the one who leaked those photos and videos.]

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