“We have no intention of pressing charges against Olivia. She’s the victim here.”
“What happened?” my father asks. And Detective Dowers looks more than ready to divulge information.
I don’t speak as the two officers rattle off the last two months of my life as though it’s a series of crimes. They have names and dates. They mention rape and sex slavery. All the while, my parents cry. Even my father.
I sit there numb, listening to it as everyone around me breaks down into hysterics. It’s odd to hear what they think of it. Some facts I know could have only come from Kade.
He abandoned me, and then admitted to everything. I wish he’d told me. I would have never let him do it. I feel so betrayed by him. I'm sick to my stomach.
“We need you to answer these questions. And you’re going to have to testify.”
“What if she doesn’t want to face him?!” Cheryl cries out with horror. She hasn’t let go of my hand.
“I won’t do it.” I speak for the first time.
The officers stare at me for a long time.
“We’re going to need you to speak to our psychologist.” I shake my head. That’s not happening either. No fucking way.
“If you refuse,” Dowers looks at Brown and sighs as if he’s burdened to tell me, “we will subpoena you. And if you fail to follow through with your obligations, charges will be pressed.”
“How dare you!” my mother hisses across the table.
“Get out of my house.” My father’s voice booms through the room. My body shakes, and tears leak from the corner of my eyes.
“I’m very sorry for what’s happened to you, but we won’t allow you to compromise this case. We will prosecute you to the full extent of the law if you fail to cooperate.”
That threat has echoed in my head every night for the past two weeks.
Each appointment, every interview.
And now as I get ready to testify against the man I love.
Olivia
“Miss Bell, I asked you a question.” The old man distracts me from my thoughts. He stares at me through his glasses, waiting for an answer that I don’t want to give him.
“I’ve told you everything.” I feel sick to my stomach. I’ve answered every question they’ve thrown at me with complete honesty. Because Kade told me to.
The second I sat down, I’d planned to plead the fifth and not give them anything against him. But my eyes caught Kade’s, and he mouthed to me to tell the truth. I’ve looked at him every time before answering. And every time he’s given me an approving small smile and a nod.
“You’ve told us about many things, but you have not answered a simple question.” The lawyer faces the jury and then looks back to me. “Did this man, Kade Barrow, or Kade Maddox as you knew him, did he or did he not take you against your will on the night of the 16th?” His voice is sharp. He takes his glasses off and purses his lips as he waits for me to answer.
“You don’t understand--” I keep trying to explain it to them, but they aren’t listening. Knowing now what he did… he saved me. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He did what he thought was best. And he kept me safe.
“I understand this man held you captive, and that you are suffering because of it. This man is withholding information on a Gabriel Durand. He’s murdered his own partner in cold blood. He’s committed crime after crime, and you’ve testified to those facts.” His cold eyes bore into me as he asks, “Have you not?”
Tears prick my eyes and my heart squeezes with unbearable pain. I only did it because he told me to. Tears flow freely down my cheeks. I look back at Kade. He gives me a soft smile, and it breaks my heart. A sob is ripped from my throat.
“Yes,” I answer barely above a murmur.
The man looks between me and Kade with disgust.
“No further questions, your Honor.”
I grip onto the edge of my dress and hold my breath as I listen to the judge deliver his sentencing.
The hearing continues in a daze, as if it isn’t real.
