“But don’t worry, once Rebecca gets her karma, so will he.That’s when we all come together and let the townsfolk know he’s just as rotten as his sister.I know this is selfish on my behalf because I need your confessions to bribe him, but I promise, he will get what’s coming to him too.
“Whatever you decide, it’s your choice.I’m just thankful you gave me the opportunity to hear me out.”
There’s not much more I can say.The decision is theirs.And I’ll accept whatever they decide.
I’m relying on a bunch of women I don’t even know to put their necks on the line for me.Without them, I don’t have a case.But I hope that perhaps our experiences will band us together and they’ll help, knowing I’ll do the same for them.
We walk in silence, but between us are a thousand different thoughts.
“I’ll do it,” says Marla after a few minutes.
My shoulders drop in relief.“Thank you.”
Caitlin, however, shakes her head and comes to a stop.“I’m sorry for what you went through, but I don’t want to relive what happened only for no one to believe me.Your plan is solid, as you’re right, Jack will turn on Rebecca to save his own ass.
“But the Blooms are fucking royalty here.They’ll know someone who knows someone…”
“I understand.I’m here if you need anything.”
Caitlin looks disappointed in herself.“I’m really sorry.I wish things were different for us all.Good luck.You’ll need it.”
Both girls leave together while Kit sighs beside me as we watch them walk away.“I’m sorry, Hallie.Not the outcome we wanted.”
But I shake my head.“If we can give one of those women a voice, then I see that as a win.”
He draws me into his side, kissing the top of my head.“You’re incredible.It’s because of you they have a voice again.”
“No,” I reply, savoring his scent.“It’s because of themselves and their courage.I’m just their cheerleader.”
And I mean every word.
We walk hand in hand, both reflecting.
Suddenly, a thought occurs to me, something I’ve wanted to ask for years.“The night you dropped me home, why did you tell my aunt it was your fault I was late?You didn’t even know me.”
“I know sadness and fear.And you were both.Your uncle is known for being a religious zealot and for having a rotten temper.I thought he’d punish you, so I did what I could.”
A thought soon occurs to him.
“Did he?”
My silence answers his question.
“Motherfucker,” he mutters angrily.“It’s time we paid him a visit.”
“No, I’m fine with letting that go.He’s not worth it.”
I have bigger fish to fry, anyway.
Kit accepts my choice but doesn’t seem happy about it.
“Seems like you were destined to be Cupcake from day one,” he says, which makes me smile.
Well, at least there’s something today that makes me smile.
Kit and I lie low for the rest of the day.
In a perfect world, both girls would be on board.But I knew this was the probable outcome.Not everyone wants to fight.Some just want peace.And that’s okay.
