Chapter 3
Chapter 3:
“Gerard,” Noelle said, her eyes cold and void of emotion, “if I can show proof that I didn’t push her, then you and Willa will kneel and apologize to me p>
“What did you say?” For a second, he thought he had misheard her. Then his anger erupted. “You want me to kneel to you? You arrogant little brat!” He refused to acknowledge someone so shameful as his sister.
On the sofa, Willa had been quietly enjoying the chaos, waiting for Gerard to put Noelle in her place. But when she heard Noelle’s words, a flicker of doubt crossed her eyes. Proof? What kind of proof could she have?
Still, Willa quickly masked her mockery and stood up, putting on a gentle act. “Gerard, please, don’t be mad anymore. Let it go. It’s not worth it p>
“Stop defending her!” Gerard snapped, his voice thunderous. “I want to see this so-called proof she thinks she has p>
Noelle didn’t flinch. She silently reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, sleek device.
Willa’s heart dropped. Her eyes locked on it, and for a moment, all color drained from her face. A voice recorder. How had Noelle done this? How did she have a voice recorder?
Noelle said nothing. She pressed play.
There was a short buzz of static, and then the sound of a sweet, carefully controlled voice filled the room. “Noelle, what do you think of this spot p>
Gerard immediately recognized it—Willa’s voice.
Then came another voice, calm and steady. “Willa, why are you standing at the top of the stairs p>
ոеw 𝖼𝘩𝘢𝗽t𝗲𝗋s 𝖾vе𝘳y 𝗐еe𝗸 𝗈𝘯
Gerard knew that was Noelle’s voice.
The next moment, Willa’s soft tone returned, but this time her words were dripping with malice. “Noelle, if I tell Gerard you pushed me down the stairs, how do you think he’ll punish you p>
Gerard whipped his head around to look at Willa, his eyes wide in disbelief. Willa—the sweet, innocent little sister he had always protected—had said something like that?
Willa’s heart skipped. Panic flickered in her eyes, and she quickly tried to save herself. “Gerard, no! That’s not how it happened! It’s not true p>
But the recording didn’t care about her excuses. It kept playing, clear and damning.
Next came Noelle’s steady voice, calm but with a hint of warning. “Willa, are you sure you want to do this p>
Willa’s voice followed—this time, sharp and cruel. “Even if you try to stop me, it’s useless. You know Gerard will always take my side. He never believes you.” Then her tone shifted completely, becoming panicked and fake. “Waaah, Gerard, hurry! Noelle’s trying to push me down the stairs! She said I don’t deserve to be part of the Moss family, that I don’t belong here! She’s trying to throw me out! I’m so scared. Waaah, Gerard, help me p>
Gerard just stood there, everything finally clicking into place.
Noelle had never pushed Willa. She had been framed. Willa had gone to the edge of the stairs on purpose, faked fear, and used it all to trap her. Noelle had been innocent from the start. And he—he had fallen for it. He had thrown accusations at his own sister.