[Elijah]
“No way,” James retorted, leaning forward with a sharp frown, his voice flaring with disbelief. “Who told you that? Did you see her taking a bribe from Grandpa? Did she confess? Did Grandpa tell you so? Did you receive a clip where Grandpa was giving her money and in return she revealed your secret?” He began to question me like a prosecutor on a mission, eyes narrowed, as if I were in the witness box of a courtroom. Sometimes he makes me wonder if he is my best friend or Hazel’s.
“It’s not important, James. No matter how much you advocate for her, the truth is not gonna change,” I said, my voice quieter now, but strained. I don’t know why, but the fact that the truth won’t change panged in my heart, as if my heart was desperately wanting the truth to be changed—for Hazel to be
