Chapter 5 " Can't you ever go a day without drama? Gemma's graduation is at the end of the month . Miss it , and I swear I'll kill you ! " With that , Nathan hung up the phone , cutting off my pleas for help and my last hope of survival . Jaxton had laughed . " Your brother cares more about my sister than he ever did about you . He wants you gone , so let me help him out . " His knife hacked down , and everything went dark . Orson followed Nathan around and reported the latest investigation findings . " We've collected the blood samples and sent them for analysis . It shouldn't take long for the results to be released . " Nathan crouched down and carefully scanned the floor for anything the killer might have left behind . And I wanted to scream so badly that the killer was right beside him . After returning to the office , Harlan met him at the door with a grave expression . " The results are in . The victim is Rosanne Slade . " Nathan staggered before he stared at the report , shaking his head . " No , this can't be right . She's not dead . She can't be . " He ran to the autopsy room and pulled out my body . Just as he reached out to examine my barely recognizable face , his hand hovered midair . Then , his tears hit my arm , and he slowly reached for my hand , only to feel the scar on my wrist . That was the last straw that broke him down in tears . " Why ? Rosanne , why does it have to be you ? " Get up ! Get up and fight me like you always do... Call my name one more time ... I - I swear I won't get mad anymore ... I never wanted you dead . " Why do you have to do this to me ? You're all I have left , Rosie . " I'm so sorry . Just don't leave me alone . Please ... just open your eyes . " That version of Nathan , who used to love me so dearly , was finally back . I finally heard every word I'd longed to hear , but I could no longer answer . It was too late . If only I could have heard this while I was still alive . But there was no turning back now . Lawrence couldn't take it anymore , and he had his men drag Nathan out of the autopsy room . Nathan looked lifeless , like he'd just had his soul hollowed out of him . Suddenly , Lawrence gave him a slap . " Snap out of it , Nathan ! She's still waiting for you to get justice , and the killer's still out there . Do you want her to die for nothing ? " A firm , determined look flashed in Nathan's eyes as Lawrence continued , " Listen ... Your parents are watching you , and if they saw you like this , would they be proud ? " Nathan finally looked up with eyes full of tears . He threw his arms around Lawrence , sobbing . " I messed up . I'm such a jerk . I've let Mom , Dad , and Rosie down ... " Lawrence patted him on the back and sighed . " This isn't the time for grief . You have to stay sharp " 1/2 Chapter +25 BONUS When Nathan calmed down a little , Lawrence handed him my locket and said , " I think something's off with Gemma . Why would she say she just saw Rosie when Rosie's been gone for days ? " Nathan shook his head and didn't buy it . " She bickered with Rosie sometimes , but there's no reason for her to murder Rosie What would her motive be ? " Lawrence looked him dead in the eye and said , " Ask her and see what she says . " After thinking about it , Nathan dismissed the idea . " Forget it . She'll get scared if I question her now . " She invited me over tomorrow night . I'll talk to her then . " Lawrence gave him a long, thoughtful look before asking , " Do you really know Gemma ? " Rosie's death was obviously a vendetta case . We all knew her as the kind , warm Rosie , so she could never have offended anyone . " Nathan fell into deep thought . To be honest , he'd seen Gemma pick on me , too . But every time , he'd sided with her without a second thought . Gemma would always hide behind him with a smug look in her eyes . Then , she'd plant rumors and make sure I took the fall . Once , she spilled water on herself on purpose before turning to Nathan and saying , " Look what Rosanne did , Nathan . All I did was ask for her to bring me a glass of water , but she dumped it all over me and said I didn't deserve it . " Nathan had furiously grabbed me and shoved me out the front door . " Look , you should be grateful we even let you back into this house . Who gave you the right to disrespect Gemma ? " I begged , cried , and tried to explain to him , but it didn't matter . Later , Gemma openly occupied my room , my closet , and Nathan . Back then , I did my best to please her - helped her with school work and followed her around like a lackey - just for a chance to come home again . All I hoped was she'd put in a good word for me , so I could have the chance to visit Nathan just once . Remembering all that humiliation , I could barely fight back the urge to cry . Right now , I was really thankful for Lawrence . It was a good thing he was standing beside Nathan now and helping him analyze the situation . Lawrence was right - that locket was my last gift from Mom . For years , I never once took it off , not even in the shower . But that night , Gemma had torn it off my neck .