Chapter 21

“It’s important,” she said confidently. “To me, the truth is more important than anything else.”

“It’s been three years since this happened. Even if evidence or surveillance footage existed, it would be gone by now. Reversing your conviction is difficult; finding the truth is even harder,” he said.

She forced a smile, understanding his meaning. He only wanted to help overturn the verdict; the truth was irrelevant to him. He didn't care why Jennifer Atkinson crashed her car that day, or what she was thinking. Jennifer Atkinson held no significance for him; her death merely meant a lack of a suitable marriage candidate.

“Jason, you don’t love Jennifer Atkinson,” she said with certainty.

His eyelids drooped. “I never said I did.”

“Then who do you love?” The answer sprang into his mind.

For a moment, he stared at her in shock. He calmed down and said, “Who do you want me to love, Sis?”

She realized her question was foolish. Why had she asked? He treated marriage like a transaction; he’d likely never fall in love.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked,” she said, furrowing her brow. “You don’t have to help me overturn my conviction. I’ll handle it myself.”

She would find the truth, however long it took. It wasn’t impossible, was it?

“I don’t?” He stared. “All right. Let me know if you change your mind. I’ll help.”

“Why would you help me?” she asked doubtfully. His expression convinced her he was sincere. He truly would help.

This was strange. Since she’d rejected him at the hospital, he'd always demanded something in return for a favor. “What do you want? Do I have to promise anything?”

“No conditions. Consider it compensation,” Jason said.

“Compensation?”

“For what you suffered in prison because of me. If you want to overturn your conviction, you can,” he said.

The offer was tempting, despite her resolve.

Overturning the conviction would erase her record, restoring her law license. She could practice law again.

But if she couldn’t clear her name completely, how much confidence would she have in court? Furthermore, none of her family, relatives, or former colleagues had even tried to overturn her verdict. The only friend who had tried said sadly, “Grace, I’m afraid it’s impossible. No one dares; no lawyer will take the case, let alone find evidence in your favor.”

Yet, her imprisonment had been tormented by the fear of this man. Now, he offered to help overturn her conviction.