My throat tightened. “They didn’t tell me.”
“I don’t think they wanted to make it feel like blood money,” she admitted. “And frankly, it wasn’t much. Not for what they did to you. But it’s enough to cover a year or two of college—at a state school. Maybe another used car.”
I stared at her, unsure if I felt relieved or furious.
“They signed away justice,” I whispered.
Susan reached across the table, took my hand. “No, honey. They bought you peace. Maybe not the justice you deserved—but a shot at a future without being dragged through courtrooms and interviews and social media feeding frenzies.”
“But none of it worked,” I said bitterly, voice cracking. “The fake name. The distance. Royal Oaks was supposed to be a clean start.”
“And it was,” she said firmly. “Until some small-minded people decided to ruin it.”
My lip trembled. “And now?”
“Now,” she said, squeezing my hand, “you’ve still got a future. Maybe bruised, maybe off-script. But it’s yours, Jade. They tried to take everything from you, and you’re still here.”
The tears came before I could stopthem.
“I’m so tired, Susan.”
“I know.”
I wiped at my eyes. “They’ll just keep coming. The whispers, the pranks. And now, with my name on that police report…”
She gave me a long, searching look.
“Then we hit back smarter,” she said. “You’ve got people behind you, Jade. Starting with me. But I need you to stay strong.”
I nodded, slowly.
“I’ll call a dealership,” she said softly. “We’ll find you another car. And you—focus on school. Soccer. Getting out of this town on your own terms.”
I leaned my head against her shoulder and exhaled.
There was still time to rewrite the ending.
And I wasn’t done yet.
I blinked at the matte gray Cybertruck pulling up to the curb, its gullwing doors lifting like something out of a sci-fi movie.
Tristan hopped out in head-to-toe designer casual—dark joggers, a cream sweatshirt that probably cost more than my old car, and aviators he definitely didn’t need in this overcast weather. His grin was wicked.
“Guess who’s your new Prince Charming,” he said, sauntering up the walk with that golden retriever swagger only he could pull off. “Climb in, princess?”
I stared, my jaw somewhere on the driveway. “What?”
He winked. “Come on. Leo might be somewhere hyperventilating into a leather-bound journal, but it’s been a week or two. I figure mourning periods are overrated.”
My aunt chuckled from the porch. “He’s a charmer, this one.”
Tristan leaned in close. “Look, I always liked you, Jade. Always thought you were a firecracker. And right now, you need someone who’ll burn back for you.”
I should’ve rolled my eyes. Should’ve called him on his BS.
But instead…I smiled.
Maybe I needed this. The distraction. The armor. The guy no one dared mess with.
