---- Chapter 8 The two of them rushed to the police station. As family, Jones requested to view the surveillance footage. After watching it in full, the officers handed over Grace's personal effects. "There's a very high chance Miss Collins perished in the fire. These are some of the items recovered from the scene." Inside the evidence bag were a rose-shaped ruby and a twisted, deformed pocket watch. The ruby matched exactly the one from the bracelet Grace's mother had left her. "These were Grace's most treasured items, the watch and her bracelet." Jones felt like his own throat had been scorched in the fire. His voice was cracked and hoarse. A wave of overwhelming regret crashed over him, burying him completely. ---- Kyle's world tilted. The room spun. His vision went white, and he nearly passed out. When Rose arrived, Kyle was already on the verge of collapse. "Kyle, Grace... she..." Kyle whipped his head toward her, eyes bloodshot, his expression terrifying. Rose froze, tears welling. "Kyle, what's wrong?" His voice came out like a snarl, "It's all your fault! Grace wouldn't have broken like this if not for you! Before you showed up, the three of us were inseparable! You kept playing the helpless little victim, and that's what drove a wedge between us! Rose, I'll never forgive you." "T know you're hurting because of what happened to Grace..."' Rose tried to play her old card, teary and soft-spoken, but this time- Kyle shoved her away. Hard. "Get out of my sight!" ---- Rose looked at Jones with watery eyes, but he only glared at her, evidently cold and disgusted. She collapsed to the ground, feeling utterly abandoned. Meanwhile, I had settled in a remote Southeastern Pack. Life here moved slowly, and the scenery was stunning. Every day, I woke naturally to the rising sun, taking my time to soak in the peaceful beauty of the mountains and forests. At home, I had the freedom and energy to immerse myself in what I loved. Totem design inspiration came to me easily now, flowing without pressure. I'd left all my past troubles behind, fully emptied myself of grief and bitterness. Sometimes, I'd catch bits of news from my old life, such as the official news coverage of my "