Chapter 8 Jake's words left me completely frozen . I stared at this man kneeling in front of me like I was seeing him for the first time - like he was a total stranger . His parents were dead . The woman who killed them was standing right there . Instead of wanting justice for his parents , his first instinct was to get on his knees and beg my forgiveness . Of course I knew why - because my parents were still alive and he was worried about his career . But I still couldn't wrap my head around when this man had become such a spineless coward . The nausea I'd been fighting finally won . I grabbed the table next to me and started dry heaving . " Mia , please forgive me ! Tell your parents I'll come home tonight and apologize to them . I've got that expensive scotch your dad loves in my office ... " I kicked Jake right in the chest , sending him sprawling . Pulled out my phone and hit play on the recording I'd made the day of the fire . His parents ' agonizing screams instantly transported me back to hell . It was this raw , hoarse sound - like metal grinding against metal . " Jake , please come save us ! Jake , Mommy hurts so bad ... " " Jake , having you and raising you was the happiest thing we ever had ! You've always been our pride and joy ... " " Jake , we won't be there for the rest of your life , and our only regret is not getting to see you become a father . But we know you'll be amazing . Take care of Mia , and we'll watch over you both ... " Their broken last words mixed with screams and the sound of flames crackling made my chest feel like it was caving in . I hadn't spent that much time with them , but from everything Jake had told me , I knew they were incredible parents . Everyone around us started tearing up when they heard that recording . Jake finally let go of my ankle . I watched him seem to snap back to reality and spoke slowly . " Jake , your parents sacrificed everything for you . You never got to give them the good life they deserved . Now that they're dead , at least honor them as their son . " I turned and walked away quickly . The moment I stepped out of the funeral home , all the rage and helplessness I'd been carrying just evaporated . 11:51 Who Needs a Divorce Lawyer When You OWN the Company ? Honey , You Are FIRED ! 99.3 % Chapter 8 I heard about Jake again three days later . That day he'd gone through the motions of his parents ' funeral service , then kept his appointment with Skylar at the bridal boutique like they'd planned . He even put down a deposit and picked up the dress the next day . But that same night , he snapped . He stabbed Skylar to death - thirty seven times according to the coroner's report . The forensics team said it was one of the most vicious crime scenes they'd ever processed . He'd completely lost it . The woman who used to giggle in his arms ended up dying by his hands . He called 911 himself , covered in her blood . On the day of his trial , Jake insisted on talking to me . Looking at how destroyed he was , I reluctantly agreed . Through the jail cell bars , he gripped the metal and begged me . " Mia , for the sake of our marriage , for the fact that you called my parents ' Mom ' and ' Dad ' - I'm begging you to help reopen my parents ' case . I recorded Skylar confessing everything on my phone . Maybe that could help . Please , I'll do anything ! " I said yes . And I really tried . But it wasn't that simple . Too much time had passed since the fire . The bodies were cremated , the ashes scattered , the scene cleaned up months ago . The original accident report had Jake's signature and department seal on it . There was no legal basis for overturning his own official findings . I spent a year fighting it , and finally got to see Jake one last time before his execution . I looked at him and shook my head . " Jake , I did everything I could . It wasn't enough . " His parents were still remembered online as those greedy old people who deserved what they got They supposedly caused the fire with faulty wiring , supposedly interfered with the heroic rescue team . People still believed they got what was coming to them . 11:51 Who Needs a Divorce Lawyer When You OWN the Company ? Honey , You Are FIRED ! 99.5 % Chapter S Jake was executed six months later . I didn't claim his body . Like my father said - he made his bed , now let him lie in it .