Page 166 of A Very Merry Enemy
“Everything you didtome,” Holiday corrects. Her voice carries through the silent tent. “There’s a difference.”
“You’re nothing!” Dominic shouts. The crowd gasps. “You will always be a small-town baker with no future! I gave you Paris! I gave you opportunities! I gave youeverything!”
“Do you want to discuss what I gave you?” Holiday asks, and her voice doesn’t waver. “Do you really want to go there?”
It’s a threat. It’s fierce. I watch the color drain from Dominic’s face.
“You controlled me. You manipulated me. You made me believe I was nothing without you. That’s not true.”
Whispers echo through the tent.
Dominic’s face goes pale, then beet red. “How dare you.”
“How dare me?” Holiday interrupts. “Dominic Laurent, Michelin-starred chef, is a user. He makes people feel small so he can feel big.”
“You’re lying!” Dominic’s voice cracks. “You’re trying to ruin my rep?—”
“You’re ruining your own reputation,” Patty says, standing. “Right now. In front of everyone.”
“Chef Laurent, you need to leave,” Marcus adds, also standing.
“I’m a judge!” Dominic protests. “You can’t?—”
“You’re removed from the panel,” Mayor Thompson says. “Effective immediately. Your behavior is completely unacceptable.”
Two large men in black security shirts make their way toward the judging table.
Dominic sees them coming and something in him completely snaps.
“This is her fault!” he screams, pointing at Holiday. “All ofthis! She’s?—”
“Sir, you need to come with us,” one of the security guards says, reaching for Dominic’s arm.
“Don’t touch me!” Dominic tries to pull away. “Holiday, please! Just listen to me! We can fix this! We can?—”
“No,” Holiday says. Her voice is calm. “I’m finally free from you.”
Security has him by both arms now, physically escorting him toward the exit.
“You’ll regret this!” Dominic shouts as they drag him away. “You’ll never be anything without me! You’ll?—”
His voice cuts off as they get him outside the tent. The crowd parts to let them through. Cameras capture every second.
The silence that follows is deafening.
And then, slowly, someone starts clapping.
It’s Mawmaw. Standing in the front row, applauding.
Jake joins her, and so does Claire. Both of my parents are standing, along with Holiday’s entire family.
Matteo, Dean, and my elusive younger cousin Eli, are here. Next to them stands Bella and Wendy, and I see my little cousin Bristol, who’s home from college for Christmas.
Seconds later, the entire tent erupts in cheers for us.
It’s not polite. It’s a thunderous standing ovation. People are cheering. Whistling. Shouting Holiday’s name.
It’s not because of her baking, but because of her courage. Because she stood up to her manipulator in front of hundreds of people. Because she chose herself.
