Tears were running down my face. "Thank you. You have no idea how much that means."
"I'm your mother. I love you no matter what. Even when you make questionable decisions." A hint of humor in her voice. "Though I would like to meet this man eventually. Make sure he's worth all this trouble."
"He is. I promise he is."
"Then bring him to visit. After all this legal nonsense is over."
We talked for a few more minutes before hanging up. I sat there staring at my phone, overwhelmed by relief.
"She supports us," I told Luca.
"I heard." He pulled me close. "That's good. You needed that."
"I did. I just..." I couldn't finish. Too emotional.
"I know."
We spent the rest of the afternoon looking at media coverage. It was brutal. Think pieces about compromised journalism. Former colleagues publicly distancing themselves. Social media posts condemning me.
But there were also surprises.
Stefan sent me a link to an article:"Valentino Russo's Independent Work Proves Journalistic Integrity."A defense of my school board investigation, pointing out that I'd done excellent work without any connection to Luca.
My journalism professor from college emailed:"I know this looks bad. But I know you. You have integrity. Fight this."
A few former classmates reached out with support instead of judgment.
Small vindications amid the destruction.
"It's not everyone," Luca said, reading over my shoulder. "Some people believe in you."
"Some. Not enough to save my career."
"Maybe not right now. But after trial, after we prove the charges wrong—"
"If we prove them wrong."
"We will." His voice was firm. "We're going to fight this and we're going to win."
I wanted to believe him. Wanted to have that confidence. But looking at the media coverage, at the charges we faced, at the potential prison sentences—it was hard to feel hopeful.
That evening, we ordered takeout and ate mostly in silence. Both of us exhausted. Both still processing.
"This is our life now," I said eventually. "Ankle monitors and bail conditions and waiting for trial. Media destroying us daily. Everyone judging us."
"For now. But it won't be forever."
"It might be. If we're convicted."
"Then we'll survive that too." He reached for my hand. "Together. Whatever comes."
I threaded my fingers through his. "I'm scared."
"So am I. But we survived day one. We survived today. We'll survive tomorrow."
"One day at a time."
"One day at a time."
