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“Did you know?”
She shakes her head but smiles so wide.
With a large step forward, my body falls into Jett’s, my two worlds colliding in ways I never even thought possible.
My chin lifts to look up at him, and he plants a soft kiss on my wet lips, lowering his voice so it’s just me and him.
“Nothing will ever be too much for you. You’ve changed my world, Sofia baby. The least I could do was help change yours.”
FIA
SIX MONTHS LATER
“One party, one night of celebration, too many unaccepted nos. A little over two years ago, I walked into a party full of life and left without one. I blamed myself, told myself what happened was no big deal, hurt my mind and heart purely because the cowardly acts of one man forced me into a hole so deep, I felt like I wouldn’t be able to get out. The difference between myself, the other victims in this courtroom, and the monster beside me is that bravery lives inside of us. You see, it’s impossible to kill the brave, but for someone as small as you, you were dead long before you tried to steal the liveliness of women.”
My hands tremble as I grip the paper in front of me. The podium creeks, eyes from all around the courtroom glued to both me and the man I’ve finally gained enough courage to face.
Behind me, I feel my support. Sienna, Taylor, and Vic all sit dressed as chic as I’ve ever seen, their interlocking grip with one another serving as the chain that won’t break around me.
To my right, and directly in my line of vision, Jett sits, stoic and strong.
It was my idea to come do a statement at Steven’s trial. When a multitude of victims came forward, I was empowered by their bravery to tell my side, to close out this chapter, once and for all.
Without Jett, none of this would be possible.
Peering over my shoulder, he gives an assuring nod before whispering, “I got you.”
I take a deep breath, adjusting the small button on my white blazer before continuing.
“I could let what happened that night define me. I did for a while, but I won’t anymore. I hope my experience can be a story for those who feel voiceless, and I hope the time you spend with yourself is as gruesome and fearful as the minutes of torture were for us.”
As I finish, I make eye contact with the judge, giving her a small nod, and she returns the gesture, proud and motherly. Before I sit, my eyes travel to Steven once again. He isn’t watching me, but I know he feels all our eyes. Beside him, my gaze wanders and stays just as hardened.
Author Holland, Jett’s father, decked in pristine pin stripes just lost his first ever case.
In this moment, the power I lost years ago pours back into my body. With a grin that rises as fast as it falls, I make sure the man who lost more than his first case sees how much joy today brings me.
To my right, Jett observes before rising to his feet, and his strong, comforting arm wraps around my hips.
“I am so proud of you,” he whispers, paying the rest of the courtroom no mind.
After another hour or so, the jury finally reaches a verdict.
Twenty years to life.
Every pair of shoulders in the small courtroom releases the moment the judge reads his fate.
The spring air feels even better with the closure I’ve been searching for. Beside me, the girls are all smiling so wide, their teeth blind like the sun.
“Not a bad way to start your birthday weekend, is it?” Sienna’s arm latches around mine, her comfort never failing when I need it.
“The best gift I could ask for,” I murmur.
“You did amazing in there.” Taylor peeks a head over, and Vic mumbles that she agrees.
“Thank you guys for being here.”
Gathered outside the courthouse, Jett stands behind me as the girls show their support. Between figuring out what we’re going to do for the weekend and discussing upcoming plans for Sienna’s engagement party, Taylor coughs to get my attention, nudging her head behind me.
