Chapter 3

She was crying as she pulled out her so-called evidence.

She showed a few photos on her phone.

The images were grainy, showing what seemed to be a middle-aged man holding a kitchen knife with a fierce expression.

From his build, he really did look a lot like my dad.

Elsa said, "I took these while I was terrified. You can't deny it now! We're both women, and you're threatening my reputation and safety? Alice, you and your dad are just shameless!"

Elsa was bawling her eyes out, acting like she'd been wronged beyond measure. "Murray, what am I supposed to do? I'm so scared that one day something might happen, and I'll never see you again..."

"Don't be afraid. I've got you," Murray said softly, his voice gentle as he comforted her. But when he turned to look at me, his eyes were icy cold.

He said, "Alice, I've always seen Elsa as just a friend. She just got back from overseas. Is it so wrong for me to look out for her a bit?"

Murray scoffed, his words full of disdain. "And your dad? A grown man doing something so disgusting? That's just shameful!"

I stood frozen, my heart turning to ice. How foolish I'd been.

I thought maybe Murray had finally come to make amends with my dad about the prank.

Or maybe he'd heard about my dad passing away and was eaten up with regret, desperate to make things right.

But no, he was just here to defend Elsa. What a joke.

My father died because of them, yet they smeared his name too.

"Murray, you're an ungrateful scumbag!" I snapped.

I bit down hard on my lip, managing a bitter smile. "My dad always looked out for you, even saved your life. And this is how you pay him back? By dragging his name through the mud?"

Elsa protested, "That's enough, Alice! Sure, your dad saved Murray, but that doesn't mean I deserve to be humiliated."

She blinked, looking pitiful as she sobbed. "I heard your dad call me a filthy bitch and a whore, said he'd show me what happens to people like me... Murray, I'm really scared..."

At her words, Murray's face, which had softened a bit, turned cold again.

He stared at me with icy indifference, his words clipped and commanding, "That's enough! We've got proof and witnesses. Alice, don't even try to deny it."

He said, "Bring your dad out here and make him apologize to Elsa. If he does, I'll let this whole thing slide for you two."

But my dad was cremated three days ago. How could he have threatened or followed Elsa?

It was such an obvious lie. A single investigation would expose it immediately. But Murray still fell for it.

Of course he did. My dad saved his life, but none of that would ever matter compared to the girl he adored.

I was completely numb. I didn't want anything more to do with them.

Today was my father's seventh-day funeral. I couldn't delay it.

I didn't even bother to explain. I clutched my dad's keepsakes and made my way to the front door.

But I never expected Elsa to suddenly try to stop me.

"Alice, you're not going anywhere! You owe me an explanation!" she snapped.

She reached out and yanked me out of nowhere. Caught off guard, I dropped my dad's medal.

But before I could grab it, Elsa snatched it up.

She sneered. "Oh, this is so precious to you, huh? Did some guy give it to you as a love token?"

She gave me a taunting look, her eyes glinting with provocation.

"Give it back!" I demanded. Blood rushed to my head, my eyes burning red with rage.

But Elsa just smirked, turned away, and tossed the medal right into the toilet.

Then she slammed down the flush button.

Water rushed through the pipes.

The medal just disappeared right before my eyes.

Elsa giggled, all fake innocence. "Oops, my hand slipped. Don't blame me, Alice."

My brain buzzed, and whatever was holding me together just snapped.

I lost my mind and went straight for Elsa, swinging and clawing at her like a wild animal.

My father was already dead because of them. Why couldn't they leave me even the last thing I had of him?

Murray yelled, "Alice, have you lost it? Stop right now!" His face was twisted with rage as he rushed over.

He shielded Elsa behind him. Just like every other time, he chose her over me.

I was shoved to the ground, my knees crashing into the cold marble, but the ache in my chest was so much worse.

"Murray, my face hurts so much. I'm so scared it'll leave a mark..." Elsa sobbed. She snuggled into Murray's arms, crying like a helpless little thing.

Murray said softly, "Don't worry, Elsa. I'll always keep you safe."

Once Elsa was settled, Murray turned and strode over to me.

"Alice, look at yourself. You're acting like a total psycho!" Murray spat, his eyes full of contempt.