I Can Fix Him (no really I can) || Rafe Cameron

22. The Cost of Truth

Rafe's POV

The night before the trial felt like a thousand years, but the truth had been hanging in the air since the moment Penelope came to see me.

Her words haunted me in the silence of my room. I could still feel the heat of her gaze when she told me that I had to do what was right. But I didn't know if i could. I wasn't sure if i had the strength to break free from everything i was forced to become. Every piece of me had been tangled in my fathers manipulation, convinced that I couldn't survive without his approval, his control.

The next morning came with the weight of inevitability. The trial had already started before I even stepped foot into the courthouse. John B's fate was hanging in the balance, and there I was, stuck in this limbo. The thing was- I knew the truth. John B didn't kill Sheriff Peterkin, I did.

But walking into that courtroom and owning up to it? That was terrifying. I was so deep into this mess that it felt impossible to climb out.

I stayed away at first, watching through the cracked door as witnesses were called. I wanted to be anywhere else. I wanted to stay hidden and pretend I wasn't a part of it, pretend that I wasn't the one who'd shot Sheriff Peterkin. But deep down, I knew it wasn't going to work. The lies would catch up with me eventually. And I needed to be better. Needed to do better. And do right by Her.

I could hear the voices of the defense team and the prosecution- each one trying to shape the story they wanted, each one spinning a web of lies. John B's defense argued that he was innocent, that he was being framed, that Ward and his crew were behind it all. And in a way, they were right. But no one knew just how deep the lies went.

I sat there, staring at the door, waiting for the right moment. Penelope's face flashed in my mind. I could hear her soft voice telling me that I had to own up to it. She wasn't wrong. I was so tired of running.

I didn't know how long I sat there, lost in thought, but eventually, the moment arrived. I stood up and pushed the door open. My legs were shaky, my heart pounding in my chest. I wasn't sure what I was even doing- walking toward the courtroom, toward the truth I had no idea how to face.

I walked in, trying to ignore the eyes that turned to me, the stares that pierced through my skin. But I couldn't escape the truth anymore.

I cleared my throat, feeling like my voice was too small, too fragile for the words I needed to say. "Your Honor," I said, my voice shaking, but it was loud enough for the entire room to hear. "I... I did it. I killed Sheriff Peterkin."

The room was completely silent. Everyone stared at me, shocked and confused. John B looked like he'd just been punched in the gut. Sarah's face twisted with disbelief. Penelope's expression was unreadable, but I could see a flicker of something- relief, maybe? Or disappointment. I couldn't tell.

The judge looked at me, then back at the prosecution. There was no hesitation in his voice. "We have heard enough. The jury will deliberate."

There was a collective murmur of disbelief as the jury filed out. For a moment, it felt like the entire world had stopped. Dad's face twisted with rage, his hands balled into fists at his side. I could feel his eyes boring into the back of my head. But I didn't care. Not anymore.

Then, a short time later, the jury returned.

"John Booker Routledge, you are found not guilty of the murder of Sheriff Peterkin," the judge declared.

The room erupted into a mix of cheers and gasps. But I wasn't focused on the victory. I was focused on what came next.

"Rafe Cameron, you are found guilty of the murder of Sheriff Peterkin."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. It was finally over. I had confessed. There was no running anymore. I felt like I'd just freed myself from the weight of the lies I'd been carrying for so long.

Ward's face turned an angry red, his fists clenched. He shot me a look that could kill. But I didn't care. I wasn't going to let him control me anymore.

As the verdict was read, I saw Penelope standing by the side, her eyes locked on mine. She didn't say anything, but her gaze soft, understanding. I had done the right thing. I had to believe that.

Before I knew it, she was walking towards me, her steps sure, but her expression filled with something- relief, tenderness, maybe a hint of sadness? She didn't stop until she was right in front of me. And then, without a word, she kissed me.

It wasn't a grand gesture. It wasn't a declaration. It was just her, showing me that it was okay. That I wasn't alone.

I didn't know how to react at first. But the moment her lips met mine, it felt like everything I'd been been holding inside- the guilt, the shame, the fear- just melted away. I wasn't sure if this was forgiveness or just the calm before the storm, but for the first time in a long time, I didn't feel like I was drowning.

Security guards started to move towards me, but I didn't care. I pulled away from the kiss just enough to look at her one last time, her eyes locking with mine. "I'm sorry," I whispered.

She just nodded, her lips curling into a small, understanding smile.

The guards grabbed me then, pulling me away from her. I tried to fight it, but I knew there was no escape. Not now. I had done what I needed to do.

And as I was led out of the courtroom, I took one final glance back at her, a faint smile curling onto my lips as she mouthed "I love you" at me.

And that right there, was worth everything I just sacrificed.