The Bitch You Killed

Chapter Forty Nine

song of the chapter is All by Myself by Celine Dion

Just so everyone knows this is the last chapter of The Bitch You Killed - apart from the epilogue. I've had so much fun writing it and I can't put into words how amazed I am that it's done this well. It was the first story I ever wrote and published here and for it to have earned #1 in mystery and thriller even just for that one day has completely astounded me. Thanks so much for reading and for your kind words. Hopefully I've done the idea justice.

The corridor was eerily silent as people sat on benches along the walls. My parents were sat, still half shell-shocked from the proceedings. Tyler was in the stand next and was expected to plead guilty. If he did, all of this would be over and I would be free. My family would be able to move on and my name would become part of the town's history, a reminder that teenagers are underestimated. People passed by dressed in black suits and formal attire but despite the bustle there was a reverend silence.

    "I'm sorry," Jack said as he sat on the bench beside Chase. I was standing off to the corner, analysing the situation.

   "For what?" Chase asked before looking away from our younger brother to make eye contact with me. There was hope swirling in his eyes and for once he didn't look so stressed. I gave him what I hoped would be an encouraging smile.

Jack ran his hands along his suit clad thighs without looking in Chase's direction, "for everything. I blamed you and I shouldn't have. You're my brother and I should have known you would never do anything to hurt her," his voice dropped low before he cleared his throat and looked up at him, "you're not a monster, you're my brother and I love you."

Chase was visibly shaken at Jack's apology. It was easy to see that he was glad that he was gaining his brother back but it was obvious that Jack had hurt him. Chase Matthews was a pain in my ass and arrogant at the best of times, but he always had his family's best interest at heart. Chase was an example of how you didn't need to voice familial love all the time. It was in your actions and the way you dealt with situations and he was always there for Jack. It was wrong of me to make him out to be the devil because I never considered my own actions. I was the one who made him like this.

   "I would have done the same thing. I was the obvious suspect, I didn't show Khloe or anyone how much I loved her and it's something I'll live with everyday," he choked out, "I was an asshole, Jack, and I just hope that you can forgive me."

The pair made eye contact before Chase put his hand out to Jack. Without hesitation, Jack grabbed it and Chase pulled him in for a hug. I could feel my eyes burning as I looked at the pair. I felt as though I was slowing ticking off a checklist, I was finally free of the burden.

    "The court is about to begin, if you'd like to follow me," a man dressed in a suit said as he came out from a room from down the hall. He offered the group a grim smile before clasping his hands together and walking in the direction which he came from. I stood off to the side and watched as my mother and father linked arms and followed after him, Jack walking next. Chase had bent down, pretending to tie his shoe. When they turned the corner. He stood up and put his hands in his pockets as he faced me.

    "I guess this is it. I guess this is goodbye," he mumbled out, before bending his head down to look at his feet.

   "I guess this is goodbye. I'm not really sure how this will work. If he pleads guilty I might just fade into nothing," I replied, offering him a half smile as he looked back up to me.

   "I don't think I've ever said this," Chase said before breaking eye contact with a sigh, "but I love you, Khloe and I'm sorry that it had to be like this."