My university email is flooded with messages from colleagues, the dean, researchers I've admired for years. Grant opportunities. Job offers. Apologies from people who avoided me during the investigation.
Social media notifications are exploding. I open Twitter and my breath catches.
#JusticeForIvyChandleris trending.
Thousands of tweets. Support from scientists, athletes, journalists. People share my research papers, demanding the university reinstate my work and calling for Gregory's arrest. In mere hours, Metropolitan University sends an email stating that I should return to working with the Raptors.
My professional reputation is being rebuilt in real-time.
Because Declan destroyed his own.
"No." The words barely make it past my throat. "What did he do? Why did you do it?”
My phone rings. Marcus's name flashes on the screen.
I answer. "Marcus?"
"Have you seen the news?" His voice sounds strained.
"Yes," I say weakly.
"Gregory’s filed a lawsuit against Declan. Fifteen million in damages. The league is launching an investigation. They've suspended Declan pending results."
The room tilts. I grip the cushion to stay upright.
"Why did he do that press conference?" The question sounds broken.
"Because he loves you and finally chose truth over safety." Marcus exhales shakily. “I told him to prove he loved you. To stop hiding and show everyone that he was willing to lose everything for the truth."
“His career is over."
"If the investigation clears him quickly enough, it won’t. But the damage is done either way." He pauses. "Riley just texted me. He's home alone. He sent her and Rowan away, saying he needed to face the consequences by himself."
Consequences.
The word echoes in my head with devastating finality. Images form in my mind.
Declan alone in his penthouse, suspended from the team he's dedicated his life to. He’s facing a fifteen-million-dollar lawsuit and watching his career implode on every news channel.
"But what if he resents me? What if his career is over and eventually he hates me for it."
"He won't. That's not who he is." Marcus exhales. "Look, my best friend lied to you. He manipulated and hurt you badly. You have every right to never speak to him again. But he just provedhe's finally the man he should have been from the beginning. What you do with that information is up to you."
The call ends.
I stare at my phone, then at the laptop screen where news footage plays on repeat. Declan walking out of the press conference, security surrounding him as reporters swarm. His face is exhausted but strangely peaceful, like a man who's made peace with his choices even as they destroy him.
He looks free.
And utterly alone.
Another news alert appears on the screen:
“Metro Raptors Suspend Star Forward Pending Investigation. Stallworth Vows "Vigorous Legal Response.”
A follow-up:
“Senator Ashford's Office Releases Statement Distancing from Daughter's Claims.”
