Page 145 of Through the Water

Do as you’re told.

I’d long associated safety with staying small and quiet when, in reality, it had never been anything more than consent. I had a choice to make—continue to let other people hold my voice or fight through the fear to make myself heard.

Sometimes, the smallest voices are the loudest.

“Hello,” I croaked, before clearing my throat. A sharp screech of feedback traveled across the sanctuary, the sound setting my teeth on edge.

“M-my n-name is Ariana James and K-K-Killian R-Reed...” I stammered halfway through the first line of Tristan’s speech, before pausing to gulp a breath.

So far, so terrible.

If I went through with this, there was a good chance I wouldn’t be walking out of here alive. But if I stuck to Tristan’s script, we were all as good as dead.

Pick up your shield and fight back.

My heart thundered against my breast. The river of sweat running down my spine had become something like a waterfall. I’d imagined bravery like the movie in Georgia’s room, with a woman marching across no man’s land with her shield held high, but maybe strength came in more than one form.

Maybe bravery could be found in the small things, by doing nothing more than speaking my truth. If there was no one else, then it fell to me.

“I’m Ariana James,” I repeated, firmly this time. “And Killian Reed is innocent.”

A brief silence descended over the sanctuary, and then questions were being fired at me like bullets from all sides.

“Ariana, why did you lie?”

“Did Killian Reed pay you to say this?”

“Is it true you’re carrying his baby?”

My pulse thrashed loudly in my ears, muffling their hateful chatter. I’d sort of imagined Dean bursting onto the stage to whisk me away, not leaving me to deflect the gunfire on my own.

Clearly, I didn’t know what I was doing. I nervously jerked my head to the left and right, searching for help, only to find Tristan’s silent glare. He brought his hands together in a slow clap, his mouth twisted in a sardonic smirk.

Shit. Damn. Hell.

A bubble of hysterical laughter rose up. I could say whatever the hell I wanted to at this point.

I was already dead.

It was a fact that left me feeling both terrified and invincible. I had no doubt Tristan was going to come on stage within minutes to apologize. He’d pin my outburst on the car wreck or the trauma I’d experienced at the hands of a particular baseball player. Until then, though, the floor was mine.

Let the world see the truth, and the monster loses its power.

See the truth.

My legs had become as useful to me as cooked spaghetti noodles, but a current of strength ran through my veins. There was only one thing left to do.

For my final act, I’ll be taking everyone down with me.

I pulled the microphone free and kept my eyes on his as I calmly stated, “To answer your questions, I didn’t lie as this is the first time I’ve spoken publicly, while Tristan James has been insistent on keeping the truth from getting out. Oh, and it would be impossible for me to be carrying Killian’s baby as I’m still a virgin!”

Tristan’s eyes darkened as he ran a finger across his throat in warning. Deep-set lines appeared on his forehead. Three meant trouble, but I didn’t look away. I didn’t lower my head. Instead, I blinked back tears and prepared to tell him goodbye in a voice loud enough for him to hear.

Only, this time, I wouldn’t be coming back.

This is for you, Killian.

My heart stuttered in my chest as I spoke the words I’d held onto for years, knowing there was no other way. “I’ve spent my life being physically and emotionally abused by not only Tristan James, but his business partner, Brad Phillips, as well.”

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