The Year I Stopped Being His novel Chapter 553

"I refuse to let public opinion condemn him for things he didn't do."

Josh looked into her clear, resolute eyes and let out a silent sigh.

"Sloane, you've already made up your mind, haven't you?"

Sloane nodded. "Yes."

Josh knew her personality. Once she made a decision, no amount of persuasion from anyone would change her mind. So, he didn't try to stop her. He just stood up, walked over to her side, and spoke with earnest tenderness.

"Sloane, I support you."

Sloane's lips curved upward. "Thank you, Josh."

Josh gazed at Sloane's calm and composed face, and suddenly, his eyes grew red. "Sloane, could you... give me one last hug?"

Sloane smiled, leaned forward, and wrapped her arms gently around him.

It was a light, tender embrace, like hugging family you've known forever, someone you'd never want to see suffer the slightest grievance.

Josh buried his face in the crook of her neck. She smelled like a faint mix of body wash and a milky sweetness, exactly as she had in his memory—twenty years ago, when a seven-year-old boy had been locked at home, cold and starving.

That girl had descended like an angel, jumping down from a high wall and pulling him into her arms to comfort him. He remembered this exact scent.