“Ten years ago…do you know what happened?” Her voice is a hushed whisper. As strong as she is,thatstill affects her, probably will for the rest ofher life.
I pull my chair close to her and take her hand in mine.
She looks at me, surprised, and then a small smile spreads on her lips. I’m relieved she doesn’t push me away; instead, she allows me to support her. It’s a gift, one I’m going to cherish.
Hugh doesn’t remark, just patiently waits as he pulls out his small notepad and pen.
“What I say…will that go on the official record?” she asks.
Hugh looks perplexed. “Do you not want it to?”
“Idowant it to,” she assures me. “It’s just…last time....”
The corners of Hugh’s mouth dipped almost imperceptibly. “I know what happened all those years ago. I wasn’t here; if I were, Dr. Kirk, things would’ve been different.”
“You sure about that?” she challenges.
“Yes.”
She turns to me. “Can I trust him?”
I swallow. “Yes.”
The sound that leaves her is closer to a scoff than a laugh. “Why am I asking you?” She pulls her hand away jerkily. “I don’t even trustyou.”
That cuts, but I deserve it.
She shakes her head and shoots me an irritated glance. I don’t blame her. It’s a pretty fucked up clusterfuck.
“Fine.” She throws her hands up in the air like she’s giving up. “Ten years ago, Landon Mercer raped me andthen told everyone that Iaskedfor it, that it was consensual. It wasnot.”
Hugh doesn’t react, just watches her intently. “I’m so sorry that happened to you, Sarah.”
It doesn’t escape my notice that he calls her Sarah this time when he usually and always addresses her as Dr. Kirk.
“Thank you,” she says, and I know she means it. “My father left me his practice and house and...a letter.”
I frown. She hasn’t mentioned a letter to me.
“In it…well, he said that he knew I was telling the truth, and he was sorry. But he didn’t tell me how he knew.” She sits up straight. “I came back to, well, claim my inheritance, but to also find out how Daddy knew the truth. Because I intend to expose Landon.”
She is deliberately not looking at me. Despite my telling her countless times that I’m with her on this journey, she doesn’t believe me.
I take her hand in mine again and hold it tight. “Dove, you tell the world, and I’ll be right there with you.”
She looks away, jaw tight like she’s holding it together.
Hugh’s eyes go from me to Sarah and back. His gaze carries a wealth of regret.
“A reporter fromThe Washington Heraldcontacted me.” She pauses as if gathering herself. She squeezes my hand like she needs the comfort. “She told me that there are other victims, and she suspects I wasthe first. He…tends to go for eighteen-nineteen-year-olds…who are similar in looks to me.”
These are details I don’t have. I have to hold myself together because I feel like collapsing, folding my body to keep the pain contained.
“Apparently, Landon has a type,” she sneers.
Hugh lifts a shoulder casually. “Most men do,” he deadpans.
That eases some of the tension in the room.
