Chapter 3
When Charlotte spoke, everyone’s eyes immediately focused on
A man said, “The truth? Looks like there’s definitely more to this story. After all, how could all his children die in such bizarre ways?”
A woman asked, “So what is the truth?”
Everyone looked at Charlotte, but her questioning gaze was fixed firmly on me.
I gave a bitter smile. “You want me to tell the truth? Don’t you think I want to find out the truth about my children’s deaths? They were my children-I loved them more than anyone. But I really don’t know why they suddenly died every time they called me ‘Daddy.””
Charlotte slapped me hard across the face. “I can’t believe you’re still lying.”
She pointed at Emily’s body. “This isn’t our child at all. I’ve already seen Emily-she’s actually not dead at all, is she? Jonathan, where did you hide Emily? Give me back my child!”
Everyone around us was stunned by Charlotte’s words. After all, Emily’s body was right there. They all thought Charlotte was hallucinating from grief.
But the next second, they suddenly understood why Charlotte:15 would say such a thing—because Charlotte pulled out
Instantly, everyone’s eyes turned to the body covered with a white sheet.
If the girl in the surveillance footage was Emily, then who was this corpse?
Before I could figure it out, Charlotte continued, “Jonathan, I don’t understand why you’re doing this, but give me back my child. Which kindergarten is she at? When did you switch her out? Give her back to me!”
I said, “I didn’t—”
I was about to explain when Nora suddenly shouted, interrupting me. Then she turned to Charlotte and said, “Charlotte, I’m so sorry. I can’t bear the guilt anymore. I have to tell you the truth. You’re wrong—that girl in the surveillance footage really isn’t Emily. This dead girl is the real one. Because I know how she died.”
“What?” Charlotte’s eyes widened instantly, her face pale as she approached Nora.
Nora pointed at me. “It was him. Jonathan killed his children with his own hands. He’s had XYY syndrome since childhood. When he was little, he killed countless cats and dogs he raised by throwing them to their deaths. But I never thought he’d be cruel enough to murder his own children. His father and I tried to stop him, but he always said it would be the last time. We’re guilty too! Jonathan is our only child, so we kept covering for him. But Charlotte, I can’t bear to watch you go crazy looking for your child. Emily is dead, and she was indeed killed by 36nathan’s own hands.”
15:15
Everyone around us was stunned, and it took a long time before anyone reacted.
A man said in shock, “Did I hear that right? Jonathan killed
his own children with his bare hands? Why would he do such a thing?”
Charlotte stood frozen, staring at me stiffly.
All I could do was weakly defend myself. “No, I didn’t.”
Charlotte demanded harshly, “Everyone knows your parents love you dearly. How could they possibly frame you? Jonathan, why did you kill my children?”
I looked desperately at Jaxon and Nora, but they looked pained as they urged me, “Jonathan, you’ve already done enough wrong. If we keep covering for you, we won’t be able to live with ourselves.”
I stared at them in disbelief.
Why? Why would Jaxon and Nora, who had always loved me, lie
to frame me?
I tried to explain, but everyone around believed that Jaxon and Nora, who loved me so much, couldn’t possibly be framing me.
A bystander who couldn’t stand it anymore punched me in the face, cursing, “You animal! You actually killed your own children! How dare you stand here pretending to be innocent?”
Woman
woman shouted, “Even if the law sentences you to death,
15:15
A man chimed in, “Exactly! I’m so furious. Today, I’ll beat you to death for your children!”
The crowd, believing Jaxon and Nora’s words, surrounded me and beat me mercilessly.
I knew nothing I said would matter, so I just let countless fists rain down on me.
Just when I was in despair, I glanced again at the child on Charlotte’s phone screen and suddenly froze.
I finally understood why every child died after calling me “Daddy.”
