He Killed My Grandmother for His First Love

Chapter 10

"Phillip, you've got it wrong! That's not Charlee!"

Elaina's voice came from behind me, choked with tears.

"Move."

Phillip barked, shoving her aside as he stepped forward.

"Charlee… it's you. I know it's you."

His eyes locked on mine, full of something raw, something desperate.

"Where have you been? Why didn't you pick up my calls? Why did you block me?"

I stood frozen, startled by how different he seemed. This wasn't the man I used to know. And yet, there was no mistaking him either. He moved closer, voice catching with emotion as he came to stand just behind me.

"Charlee… I know I messed up. I'm sorry. That day, I thought the ashes you were holding were from those elderly folks you used to help. I didn't realize... it was your grandmother."

His voice cracked.

"I didn't know Ryan bit her on the carotid. I didn't think… I thought it was just some blood. I didn't know she was dying…"

He took another step closer, looking more broken with every word. I turned away, stepping back sharply before he could reach me.

Something gnawed at me. I had my cap pulled low, barely showing my face. So how the hell did he recognize me that easily?

"Charlee," he whispered. "You've lost so much weight…"

Phillip sank to the ground, knees buckling. His face was pale, his eyes red-rimmed and full of anguish.

"Where were you all this time? I've looked everywhere for you."

His voice trembled. "Please. I was wrong. I was so wrong. Can you… can you talk to me? Just talk to me."

By the end of his plea, he was on the verge of kneeling.

But all I felt was revulsion.

The cigarette in my hand had burned down to the filter. I flicked it to the ground and crushed it under my heel. Then, pointing toward Elaina, I met Phillip's eyes with a cold, cutting stare.

"If you knew she was the one who sicced those dogs on my grandmother…"

My voice was low. Sharp.

"Then why the hell did you let a murderer walk free?"

Phillip said nothing. He just sat there, stunned, as if the weight of the truth had finally landed.

After a long silence, he murmured, "Is that why you disappeared, Charlee? Is that why you hid from me?"

I let out a soft scoff. Lifting his chin with the toe of my boot, I looked down at him like he was nothing but dirt.

"No. I left because you disgust me."

He was filthy, through and through. And nothing would ever change that.