All of it true. All of it damning.
"In your professional opinion," the prosecutor asked, "is Mr. Romano someone who uses intimidation to get compliance?"
"Objection!" Emilio's voice was sharp. "Calls for speculation and opinion testimony outside the witness's expertise."
"Sustained."
"I'll rephrase. Based on your investigations, have you documented instances where Mr. Romano allegedly used intimidation?"
"Yes. Multiple instances."
"Thank you. No further questions."
Emilio's cross-examination focused on the lack of convictions, the dismissed cases, the recanted testimony. But the jury had already heard enough. They knew what I was. Who I'd been.
A criminal. A man who used fear and power and intimidation.
And they were supposed to believe I'd fallen in love? That what I had with Valentino was real and not just more manipulation?
By the time court adjourned for the day, I felt hollowed out. Exposed. Every dark part of my past laid bare for judgment.
Valentino and I left through the side exit, avoiding the media as much as possible. We drove home in silence, both processing what the jury had heard.
Once inside the penthouse, Valentino immediately poured us both whiskey. We stood at the kitchen island drinking, neither of us speaking.
"They're destroying us," he said finally.
"We knew this would be hard."
"Hard is one thing. This is—" He gestured helplessly. "They're making me look like a victim. Making you look like a monster. And the worst part is some of it's true."
"All of it's true. At the beginning." I set down my glass. "I was a monster. I did intimidate you. I did coerce you."
"But that's not the whole story."
"No. But it's the part they're focusing on." I pulled him close. "And I don't blame them. If I were on that jury, hearing what they're hearing, I'd think I was guilty too."
"Don't say that."
"It's true. Look at the evidence—building super testified I was intimidating when I showed up at your apartment. Alex testified you were scared and stressed. That detective testified I have a history of intimidation." I held him tighter. "The pattern is clear. Powerful criminal coerces journalist. That's what it looks like."
"But that's not what it is. Not anymore."
"We know that. But how do we prove it?" I pulled back to look at him. "How do we prove love? How do we prove choice?Those aren't things you can show in surveillance photos or timeline charts."
"We tell the truth. When we testify, we tell our truth."
"And hope the jury believes us?"
"What else can we do?" His eyes were fierce despite the fear I could see underneath. "We tell them everything. The coercion, yes. But also the evolution. The choice. The love. We make them see that people can change. That relationships can grow from dark beginnings into something real."
"You still believe that? After today?"
"Especially after today." He caught my face in his hands. "Yes, you intimidated me at first. Yes, I was scared. But I chose to stay. I chose to get to know you. I chose to fall in love. Those were my choices, Luca. Mine. And no one can take that away from me."
"I'm sorry." My voice broke. "I'm sorry I dragged you into this. That my past is destroying your present."
"Stop apologizing. I made my choices with full knowledge of who you were. I knew your past. I knew the risks. And I chose you anyway." He kissed me. "I choose you. Every day. No matter what that jury thinks."
