Page 81 of Dark Notes, Volume Two

“I guess I may as well tell you. I’m surprised nobody has texted you and told you about it.”

I tell her bluntly, “I turned my phone off before I showed up with flowers. I didn’t want to be interrupted by shit that doesn’t matter. If it’s not about you, I do not fucking care.”

She hands me her phone as she swallows hard.

“It’s about me. I’m never going out in public again.”

I take her phone from her, glancing down at the screen, I realize it’s an article.

“Ignore it. They publish click bait shit to get a reaction. It’s about making money. Everybody knows the shit they say isn’t true.”

Her head drops again and she focuses her eyes on her plate like she can’t bring herself to look at me.

“Just read it, Jett. It’s true. How they found out, I don’t know but it’s all true.”

I glance down at the headline and immediately see red.

Mia Montgomery: The Reasons behind the Weight Gain.

After months of speculating what the cause is behind former supermodel Mia Montgomery’s weight gain we may have a clue with recently discovered court documents. Here’s what we know.

At the age of fifteen, her step father was convincted of two counts of aggravated rape.

At age seventeen Amy Stanton became emancipated from her mother.

At age eighteen Amy Stanton changed her name legally to Mia Montgomery.

Her step father Marc Stanton is up for a parole hearing next week.

If he gets out, will we watch as Mia’s weight continues to balloon? Dear Mia, get therapy. Stop eating your feelings.

I take a minute and pretend that I’m continuing to read as I try to wrap my head around this article she said is true. I had no idea her name wasn’t Mia although it isn’t uncommon for celebrities to go by different names. Stage names even but somehow I think she did this to avoid this information becoming public knowledge. Am I annoyed that she hasn’t shared this with me? When I asked when he was getting out she said soon. Mia was vague and I wish she had told me. I set the phone down on the glass dining room table and clear my throat.

“Angel, I’m not going to address the shit they said about your body because there’s nothing wrong with you. I love every fucking curve. We do need to decide how to handle this though. Never going out in public again is not an option. I will not let you hide yourself away like you’re guilty of a crime. You do realize you were a victim, right? Please tell me you know this wasn’t your fault.”

She shrugs her shoulders as a tear falls down her cheek.

“I taunted him by wearing skimpy clothes.”

Her words make me fucking sick to my stomach. I would bet money that’s what he fucking told her.

“Mia, come over here.”

She rises from her chair and walks over to me with her head down as if she’s ashamed and it really pisses me off. I don’t scold her though because I do not want her to think I’m judging her, because I’m not. I pull her onto my lap and hold her in my arms as she sinks into me.

“How old were you the first time he touched you?”

“We don’t need to talk about this.” She says in a low voice.

I kiss her cheek after she lays her head on my shoulder.

“Yes, Angel. I think we do. You’ve been keeping this locked inside for how long? It’s not good for you. I’m your safe space, baby. You once said my demons were now yours and yours are mine. Let's fight them together.”

She lifts her head at me and flashes me a glare that’s really fucking ineffective with how adorable she looks.

“You’re using my words against me?”

I shake my head and chuckle as I reach up and cradle her face.