Chapter 115

The red glow of my dad's cigarette twinkled; as the smoke curled upward, I noticed the new wrinkles around his eyes. It had been a little over a month, yet he seemed considerably older.

The room felt heavy with tension. Then Chase's voice cut through the silence: "Don't worry, Amanda's fine now." His voice was tight, betraying his belief in Nicole's words.

"Chase, did you find Amanda?" my mother asked, her voice laced with worry.

"She's okay," Chase replied evasively.

My mother grabbed his sleeve. "But where is she? Is she still upset and refusing to come home?"

"Come home? She's got a lot of nerve," Chase snapped.

My father observed Chase's change in demeanor. "Chase, has Amanda gotten into trouble? We've spoiled her since she was little. If she's messed up, please be patient. Marriage requires support and understanding."

Everyone had their say until Nicole spoke. "Mom, Dad, stop trying to smooth things over. This time, Amanda really messed up and is too ashamed to return."

"So you're in the loop, too?" my brother asked.

"I can't keep it a secret any longer. I can't let you shoulder this alone," Nicole confessed, producing her phone. It felt as if the entire world was about to learn about Chase's betrayal.

"Nicole, don't," Chase pleaded.

"Chase, I'm sorry," Nicole said, revealing the photos.

My mother leaned in first. Upon seeing the scandalous images, she exclaimed, "This isn't Amanda! I know my daughter; she's not like this."

Chase covered his face. "I wouldn't mistake my own wife."

The photos showed distinctive features that were hard to deny.

"Then they must be photoshopped," my mother argued.

"I had them checked. They're real," Chase replied.

My mother turned to Nicole. "How did you even get these photos of your sister?"

Nicole looked troubled. "Mom, a friend from an online forum sent them. They said they found them on an adult content website."

"An adult content website...?" my mother echoed.

"So, you're telling me my daughter's naked body has been seen by many?" my mother asked, her voice quivering. She nearly fainted, but my father caught her.

Nicole quickly steadied her. "Mom, don't worry. I paid to have the photos removed. It's unlikely anyone from town will know."

"That disgrace!" my mother cried, clutching her chest. "I've been losing sleep worrying about her, and she's out there doing this!"

"Maybe Amanda was still angry about Chase leaving her at the altar, but she shouldn't have done something so reckless," Nicole added.

"The Kennedy family does not recognize a daughter with such disgraceful conduct!" my mother declared.

Just then, Ann, covered in snowflakes, burst into the living room, pointing at the photos. She announced, word by word, "She's dead."