“Daphne… I tried… I told my parents everything, and they did their best. But there wasn’t enough proof at the time, just my word against his, and –” “Save your excuses,” Daphne says. Her face is perfectly done, with expensive, high quality makeup hiding every poor and wrinkle. Her brows are perf
At once, the producer and his cameraman come closer. Out of nowhere, two other reporters join them, all with their own microphones, which they jam under my face. “Ms. Owens! What did you say to Mrs. Zimmer to start this fight?” “I… uh…” I don’t know how to respond. It’s still sinking in that thi
Edward, however, doesn’t seem to have the same strategy, occasionally taking digs at Miles about his youth and perceived inexperience, ignoring that Miles has basically trained for this job since birth. Miles, in frustration, glances around as Edward gloats about his own successes running charitie
While everyone is in a state of shock, Miles turns away from Edward and storms off the stage. When he reaches me, he grabs my hand and drags me along behind him. We don’t slow, not to speak to the reporters waiting backstage. Not even to speak to the aides on our side, who are ready and waiting to h
Using his body to pin me down now, he doesn’t need to hold me down with his hand. He moves it down, over one of my own instead. We lace our fingers together and I hold on for dear life. It takes everything in me not to moan or scream or cry his name. He’s giving it to me so good, my whole body i
The next morning, the results are clear. Miles’s poll numbers are already starting to dive. Pundits debate back and forth, but the general consensus is that Edward won the debate. To many, Miles’s outburst was unwarranted and a sign of his youth and inexperience. The mood at campaign headquarters
The ad was vague, but threw enough shade at me for some of it to certainly stick. What a low blow, coming after me, using me and my past against Miles. As the ad ends and the regular news coverage returns, Miles mutes the television, throws the remote onto the couch, and storms toward his desk. “I
“You can tell us anything,” they would say, but the moment one of the girls tried to tell her teacher what was happening back at the orphanage, the girl was given detention for lying. Edward was called, to be made aware of the situation. Back at the orphanage, that girl wasn’t allowed to leave her r
“We should watch the rest,” I tell him, though my voice is shaky. “No,” Miles says, more firmly. I breathe a sigh of relief. For my job, I know we have to hear it. But personally, I would like to go the rest of my life without even thinking about Edward Zimmer again. “The numbers are already u
Edward’s response comes in the form of a video message. Crystal set it up on the television on the wall, while Miles and I huddle closer to the screen. Miles holds tightly onto my hand. “Whatever happens. Whatever he says. We will stand against him and we will win,” he says. I believe him. Last
How could I say anything but yes? A thousand times over, yes, yes, yes. I’ve tried so hard since that first night, sleeping with Miles while thinking him a call boy, to not fall in love with him. Yet, as hard as I tried not to, my heart kept pulling me straight back to him. My love for Miles is so
We hold the press conference in front of the headquarters, setting up a podium outside the double doors. The news media organizations have been notified, so they send reporters and cameramen, who have set up around the podium. The release we sent out already told them that the conference would be
Later, I’m going to have to have a meeting and call in all the employees to discuss this. Their care is appreciated, but I need to be able to do my job. For now, though, it seems as if Crystal gets the hint. With a shallow nod, she continues her report. “Mr. Zimmer has been quiet since the inter
Garnar, knowing I was giving a difficult interview tonight, offered to watch the kids. Since they are at Garnar’s house, I expected the house to be empty when I finally returned. Instead, I see Miles’s car parked in my driveway and the additional security staked out around the premises. It’s a rel
Jean was warned about the story, but she still gasped. My eyes went a little wide. We came here to talk about this, but Daphne’s direct wording leaves me speechless. Daphne didn’t come here just to tell a story. She was ready to reveal her truth, once and for all. “Esther and I were victims,” Da
In the Harbinger HQ, in one of the studio sets arranged to look like a fancy living room, Daphne and I sit side by side on a white couch, facing an interviewer, a woman interviewer named Jean, who sits on an arm chair facing us. The setting is intimate, and Jean is a kind, middle-aged woman, who i
“Miles…” Emotion overflows within my heart. There are so many things I want to say, to express – my gratitude, my own affections, explanations about why this has been so difficult for me to accept – yet in the moment, everything gets tangled up in my throat. “Miles…” My tears fall from my chee