He Thought I Was Faking My Death, But I Was Really Gone Chapter 10

He Thought I Was Faking My Death, But I Was Really Gone Chapter 10

The police investigation results came out quickly.

Though it couldn’t be classified as direct murder out in that wasteland, Derek, as team leader, was charged

with gross negligence and abandonment.

And with knowingly concealing the truth from rescue personnel while fully aware my life was in danger, he

was facing not just prison time, but a massive civil settlement as well.

In court, Derek had wasted away to a shadow of himself.

He kept his head down the entire proceeding, never once speaking in his own defense.

When the judge read the verdict, he dropped straight to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

Paige was indicted too.

The court found that she had maliciously stoked public outrage and misappropriated emergency rescue

resources during the incident.

She was ordered to pay a substantial settlement as well.

Outside the courthouse, Derek’s parents and Paige’s parents came to blows.

Each side blaming the other for ruining their child.

To cover the settlement, Derek sold off every property and car in his name.

He walked away with nothing, and went to prison.

Paige’s parents spent every last cent they had and still couldn’t cover the full amount.

Paige, driven fully out of her mind, spent her days picking through trash on the street, screaming that she

was the real victim.

On the day the full settlement was finally paid out-

A large sum landed in the account of Hillcrest Children’s Home, the orphanage I’d been quietly supporting for

years.

The director took the money and brought a few of the children to visit my grave.

On the headstone, my photo smiled, bright and radiant.

The director laid a bundle of white lilies at the foot of my grave, her eyes rimmed red.

“Nora, the kids at the home have a new classroom now.”

“You were a good person. May you be born into a good family, next time around.”

The children joined hands and bowed deeply before my headstone.

I hovered above it all, watching the scene below, and finally felt at peace.

Derek’s remorse-I couldn’t care less.

Paige’s ruin-she’d earned every bit of it.

They had all paid dearly for what they’d done.

That was enough.

Rather than waste any more feeling on people like them, better to let that money do some real good in the

world.

Everyone who had ever wronged me now stood nailed to a pillar of public shame.

They would spend the rest of their lives drowning in scorn.

In my mind, the System’s cold, mechanical voice rang out once more.

[Ding. Original-world host’s regret has been cleared. Emotional index stabilized.]

[Civil settlement confirmed received by designated children’s home. Karmic balance settled.]

[Initiate dimensional transition to new world now?]

I didn’t hesitate. I gazed calmly at the sky below.

“Confirmed. Initiate.”

[Command received. Disengaging from current plane.]

[Destination: the Kingdom of Valderran.]

[Wishing the host a brand-new life in the new world.]

A blinding flash of white light passed over me.

My soul grew lighter and lighter.

I took one last look at the wreckage of the world below.

No longing left. No regret left.

Every last grudge stayed behind in that desert.

I turned and stepped forward, into the light.

This time, I was going to live a life that was truly, finally, my own.

THE END