The Weight Of Leaving by Riven Kade novel Chapter 26

Chapter 8

Funny how that works–Rachel and Ethan did all the damage, but I ended up the villain.

The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous it all seemed. Cruel, ironic, absurd.

Three days later, the court trial for Rachel and Ethan officially began.

During the proceedings, the two of them kept trying to make excuses–portraying themselves as poor, misunderstood victims.

“I wasn’t thinking clearly,” Rachel sobbed, barely able to speak through her tears. “I didn’t consider the consequences… but I know I was w

Ethan sat with his head down, his voice low and lifeless. “I just wanted to help Rachel get what she wanted. I never meant to hurt anyone.”

I sat silently in the plaintiff’s seat, my expression unreadable, watching their performance with cold detachment. It was pitiful. And pathetic.

But the judge wasn’t moved by crocodile tears. His gavel came down with a resounding bang.

“Rachel Montgomery and Ethan Brooks are found guilty of slander and false accusation. Sentenced to three

years and four months in prison. Effective immediately.”

The moment the verdict was announced, their faces drained of color. Rachel collapsed to the ground, wailing uncontrollably.

Ethan’s parents wept in the gallery, shooting venomous glares at me and whispering curses under their

breath.

But I felt nothing but relief.

For the first time since I came back to life, I finally smiled. A real smile.

Justice had been served. The law had done its job. The nightmare of my past life was finally over.

A week after the trial, my application for relocation was approved.

As I packed my things, my parents stood to the side.

My mom’s voice trembled. “Do you really have to go so far away?”

I didn’t respond. I kept folding clothes.

My dad let out a long sigh. “No matter what you decide, we’ll support you.”

Even seeing the guilt in their eyes didn’t soften my heart.

Because I knew–if I hadn’t recorded that evidence, if I hadn’t turned the tide–they would’ve turned on me

Chapter 8

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without hesitation.

They would’ve seen me as nothing but a disgrace. Their shame.

And if I was supposed to just forgive and forget because they felt a little guilty now–then what was the point of coming back at all?

“If there’s nothing else, I’d like to get some rest.” I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

Mom paused in the doorway, her eyes filled with hesitation. She glanced back three times before finally stepping out, leaving the room in silence. I didn’t say a word to stop her.

The next morning, before dawn, I opened my bedroom door to find my parents and Michael waiting outside.

Michael reached for my suitcase. “Let me take you to the airport.”

I almost refused–but the luggage was too heavy, so I gave in.

In the car, Mom’s eyes were red. She handed me a bank card.

“You’ll need money out there. It’s expensive to live on your own.”

I pushed it back gently. “It’s okay. The company’s stipend is more than enough.”

Dad placed it back in my hand.

“Take it. Think of it as our way of making up for everything.”

I was about to refuse again–but when I saw the regret in his eyes, I paused.

In the end, I kept it.

The plane lifted into the sky. The city I’d known my whole life grew smaller beneath me.

I leaned back into my seat, my thoughts drifting to the moment I was reborn.

At the time, I thought revenge was the only thing left for me. That my second chance had only one purpose:

to make them suffer.

But as the plane soared through the clouds and sunlight poured through the window, warming my skin, I

realized-

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