The Deception of His First Love

The graveyard was windy, and the ashes from burning paper money stung my face. I gripped the fruit knife hidden in my sleeve, my eyes fixed on Linda Shaw — Caleb Lewis's first love. While everyone was silent in mourning, I lunged forward and pressed the knife to her neck. "Don't move! Caleb Lewis, come out!" Linda trembled all over. "Maggie Lynn, don't be rash..." "Rash?" I pressed the blade even closer. "Three years ago, why didn't you stop Caleb Lewis from being rash?" Caleb Lewis stepped forward in a black coat, his face icy cold. "Let her go." "Let her go?" I laughed through my tears, "Have you forgotten how the Lynn Family collapsed? How my parents jumped off the building?" "If you have something against me, take it out on me—don't hurt the innocent." He took a step forward. "Innocent?" I raised my voice, "Innocent, Linda Shaw? Does that mean dozens of people in my Lynn Family had to die?" The rainy night three years ago flashed before my eyes — I drunkenly climbed into Caleb Lewis's bed, and the next day, the news that Linda Shaw had "cut her wrists" spread throughout the city. With bloodshot eyes, he confronted me, "Maggie Lynn, I will make the Lynn Family pay for what you did." In three months, the Lynn Family went bankrupt, my parents jumped to their deaths, and my sister witnessed the horror and lost her mind. "Tell me the truth." My knuckles went white around the knife. "You attacked the Lynn Family back then just because I got into your bed?" "Let Linda Shaw go first. We'll talk this through slowly." His eyes were clouded with complex emotions. "Why should I believe you?" I sneered, "You destroyed my family for a woman. Is there a single truthful word out of your mouth?" Linda Shaw cried, "Caleb, don't listen to her—I'm fine..." "Shut up!" I snapped harshly. Caleb Lewis stepped forward again. I tightened my grip on his wrist, and a faint scratch appeared on Linda Shaw's neck. "Stop! If you come any closer, I swear I'll kill her!" He stopped. "What do you want? As long as you let her go, I'll agree to anything." "I want the truth." My voice broke with tears but remained resolute. "When the Lynn Family went bankrupt back then, was there someone secretly pushing things along?" He fell silent for a moment. "Alright, I'll tell you, but first you have to let Linda go." "I don't believe you." I said, "Unless you come with me and talk alone." "Fine." Caleb Lewis didn't hesitate. "Caleb! She's insane!" Linda Shaw exclaimed. "Don't worry, I'm fine." He patted the back of her hand. "You decide the address." "The abandoned warehouse in the west of the city." I left the words hanging as I pushed Linda Shaw toward the back door.