He stepped aside. “Ava, Remi… I’d like you to join me.”
We moved forward together. The sun caught Remi’s pin, and I caught her eye, the tiniest smile tugging at her lips. This wasn’t just about justice. This was about reclamation. Visibility. Healing.
The crowd quieted again.
Harlan leaned into the mic once more. “Before I close this out, I want to offer them a chance to speak. Ava?”
I hesitated for a second, then stepped up.
“My name is Ava Sinclair,” I said, clearing my throat. “Some of you know me from the clinic. Some of you know me from… other chapters in this story. I won’t stand here and pretend this was easy. Or that the fight is over. But I believe in the power of community. I believe in the power of people who choose to do the right thing... especially when it’s hard.”
I glanced at Remi.
“And I believe in survivors. I believe in the strength it takes to rebuild, to keep showing up. To choose love, again and again, even when the world tells you not to.”
I stepped back. My voice had cracked near the end, but I didn’t care. Harlan squeezed my hand once.
Remi stepped up, her gaze sweeping the crowd like she was memorizing every face.
“It's hard to put how I feel into words. We didn’t come here to be part of anything... not in this way,” she said. “We came to do a job wedesperately believed needed to be done. I have a story... too many of us do. My history is my north star, my purpose and that has been my guide. My why. But somehow… I ended up part of something bigger. Something I never expected.”
She paused, searching for the words. She looked behind us at the wall of police officers, slowing when she got the Reid and Gray, then looked back at the crowd.
“There’s a lot I still don’t trust about this system. But I trust these two people standing next to me and the ones standing behind me. And if they’re going to keep fighting for this place, then so will I. Because one thing I do trust is that we are stronger when we stand together.”
A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd.
We stepped back together as Harlan returned to the mic, wrapping up the speech. But I didn’t hear much of the closing remarks.
Because something had caught my eye.
A man stood near the far edge of the crowd. Sharp jaw. Dark suit. His hands were tucked into his pockets like he wasn’t really here to be seen. Watching us.
No…
Watchingher.
I didn’t recognize him. But something about the way he stood sent a chill up my spine.
And then, just as quickly, he turned and vanished into the crowd.
I blinked, heart skipping.
When I looked back, he was gone.
Had I imagined him?
Beside me, Remi’s fingers brushed mine. Harlan was saying something to the press, promising more reforms, promising transparency.
But all I could think was:
Something didn't feel right.
Something’s coming.
And I hoped that this time, we would be ready.
CHAPTER 79
