I’ve Been Suspicious Since The Day I Was Born Chapter 17

I’ve Been Suspicious Since The Day I Was Born Chapter 17

Six months later, the trial ended.

Mrs. Shaw and Nina stood in prison uniforms, hollow and broken.

Faced with irrefutable evidence, they had no defense.

Mrs. Shaw got fifteen years for attempted murder and assault.

Nina got eighteen months for computer crimes.

When the verdict came, Mrs. Shaw collapsed, screaming.

Nina just stared blankly.

They’d thrown away their own lives.

In the gallery, my parents held my hands and cried.

“Elena, we’re sorry. We were so blind.” My dad could barely speak.

My mom sobbed against my shoulder.

“From now on, we won’t pressure you about anything. We’ll just be a family.”

I didn’t pull away. But I didn’t say I forgave them.

Some wounds don’t heal.

Yes, I have paranoia. But it’s not my fault.

The world has too much hidden malice. I have to stay alert.

Outside the courthouse, the sun was bright.

I got a call from Stanford Admissions—with the police report, my application was reinstated.

Next month, I’ll start as a freshman.

I hung up, took a breath, and pulled a miniature detector from my pocket.

I swept the area. Clear.

Then I hoisted my bag and walked forward.

Maybe my paranoia will never go away.

But that’s okay.

As long as I have a plan, I’ll survive this dangerous world.