Everest's Guardian Hubby Watched Me Freeze My Ghost Knows Where He'll Burn novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Gabrielle Blackwood was sentenced to twenty years in prison for premeditated murder.

Each member of the climbing team received ten years.

Yet, none of these punishments could undo what had been lost—none of it could bring me back.

On the day the case finally closed, Benjamin signed my death certificate and made the painful decision to lay me to rest.

Evelyn’s injuries were devastatingly severe, and after the funeral, Benjamin remained at the hospital, refusing to leave her side, day and night.

But despite his constant presence, Evelyn stubbornly rejected him.

He would offer her a cup of hot water, only for her to knock it out of his hands onto the floor.

He prepared her meals with care, but she would throw the food back at him.

I understood this was her way of taking revenge on his behalf—her silent protest for what had happened to me.

Word of Benjamin’s story spread quickly throughout the hospital.

“See that man over there? That’s Benjamin Carter. They called him the ‘Guardian of Everest,’ but he let his own wife freeze to death on a mountain without lifting a finger to help.”

“I heard he got played by his mistress.”

“Played? If he had been a good husband and father, would he have been so easily ‘played’ into losing his entire family?”

“I also heard he was the one who abused that girl.”

“Good. Someone like that doesn’t deserve a family.”

Benjamin never lifted a finger to defend himself. He kept his head down, his once proud and straight posture slowly stooping under the weight of guilt and shame.

“Benjamin Carter, you’re not even human!”

Benjamin couldn’t meet their gaze. He had no words for the elderly couple who had just lost their child.

“Evelyn can’t stay with you. We’re taking her,” my mother said firmly, holding Evelyn close. “We’ve already applied for custody. You need to sign the papers.”

Benjamin’s voice trembled as he tried to protest. “No… Charlotte’s gone… I—I can’t lose Evelyn too…”

“What right do you have to say no?” my father interrupted sharply. “You killed Charlotte. You took Evelyn’s mother away when she was just a child. You nearly beat her to death. What right do you have to say no?”

Evelyn, nestled in my mother’s arms, spoke clearly and with conviction. “I want to go with Grandma and Grandpa. He’s not my dad.”

Those words shattered Benjamin completely.

All he could do was sign the custody papers with hands that shook uncontrollably.