Chapter 3
My ugly body was laid bare in front of the neighbors, every inch exposed, even the parts I wished no one would ever see.
Louise watched, tears streaming down her face.
Louise said, "What an amazing mother. Laurel's been taking care of Cynthia's every need for twenty years, even cleaning up after her. If my daughter were in her shoes, I honestly don't know if I could do the same.
"Cynthia's been stuck in bed for years, and even when she goes out, she needs a wheelchair. But she doesn't have a single bedsore. It's all because Laurel takes such good care of her.
"Cynthia, in your condition, how could you even kill your mom? After all she's done for you, you turn on her? You really have no heart!"
I stared at the video, seeing myself, like some kind of monster.
Laurel's face was so calm and kind.
I just bit my lip and kept quiet.
Next up was the head of the charity foundation.
She swept her gaze over me like I was something she'd rather not see, her eyes brimming with disdain.
She pulled out a thick stack of documents and said, "These are the donation records from all the people online who supported our 'Angel Mom,' Laurel.
"We're talking over 300 thousand dollars here.
"Laurel didn't keep a single dime for herself.
"Every last penny went straight to Cynthia's medical bills."
She paused, then started reading off the details one by one.
All these years online, with everyone watching, I'd gone under the knife more than twenty times.
I lost a kidney, had part of my liver cut out, and had endless hospital stays, which added up to sky-high medical bills.
She read out loud for at least ten minutes, then threw the stack right at me, her face twisted in anger.
She shouted, "Your mom had to swallow her pride and plead for help in front of the whole world, all for you. Even with support coming from everywhere, she still couldn't scrape together enough to actually cure you.
"To save money, she hasn't bought herself a single new outfit in twenty years. She's been wearing secondhand clothes people gave her.
"She's only in her forties, but because of you, her hair's turned half gray. She looks decades older, like she's in her sixties.
"Cynthia, you didn't just let your mom down, you let down everyone who cared about you online. Seriously, you deserve to die!"
Someone in the audience jumped to their feet, shouting, "I saw Laurel out there collecting trash to sell just to scrape by, even in the freezing winter, her hands were covered in chilblains!"
A person said, "I'm the owner of the restaurant where Laurel worked. For years, she'd eat the leftovers from customers' plates. She wouldn't even spend a dime to buy herself a sandwich."
Another said, "I'm a doctor. Laurel came to see me once because she wasn't feeling well, but even though her health was awful, she just wouldn't spend a cent on herself!"
Laurel's shining image was like a blade, tearing me apart inside.
Garrick slammed his gavel, and the whole room fell silent.
He frowned at me, unable to hold back another question.
He asked, "Cynthia, from what everyone's said here, you've got no reason at all to hate your mom.
"Tell us the truth, why did you really do it?"
I curled my lips into a sneer and let out a mocking laugh.
I said, "You want to know why I killed my mom? Alright then.
"I'll lay it all out for you, every last detail, right now!"
Every single eye in the room was fixed on me.
Everyone was staring at me, disgust, contempt, curiosity written all over their faces.
Every single person there wanted me dead, no exceptions.
I looked around the room, totally unfazed, and just laid out the truth.
I said, "That dress had my favorite pattern on it.
"Mom destroyed my favorite dress. In a moment of impulse, I ended her life.
"That's it. That's why I killed her!"
As soon as I finished, the whole room erupted.
"She's a monster. What kind of karma did Angel Mom have to suffer to end up with a child this cold-blooded?" someone shouted.
"Mr. Hayward, the truth's plain as day, just give her the death penalty already!" someone shouted from the crowd.
"A dress? How much could that even cost? She killed her own mom over a dress? That's not even human!" another person yelled.
Garrick looked dead serious, his face weighed down by the gravity of it all.
Just as Garrick was about to slam the gavel down, Basil suddenly stepped forward.
"Mr. Hayward, I believe there are still unresolved questions in this case!" Basil said.
Everyone turned to look at him.
Basil explained, "It's a fact that she killed her mom. There's no argument about that.
"But my duty is to uncover the real truth behind this case and give the public an explanation.
"I think Cynthia's lying about why she killed her mom, and I've got something to say to her about it!"
Garrick nodded, giving Basil the go-ahead, so he walked over to me.
He started by playing the family card.
Basil said, "Cynthia, I've got a daughter who's about your age.
"Maybe that's why I just can't believe you're really a villain.
"If you've got a reason, or if you've been hurt, I want you to tell me the truth."
I shook my head. All I wanted was to die.
Seeing I wouldn't say a word, Basil pulled out his phone and played a video for me.
Basil said, "Cynthia, your case has gone viral online. It's had a huge impact on so many parents out there who are just like your mom.
"Here, see for yourself."