Page 78 of The Road Less Traveled By

I smile at the thought of him already clocking that without ever meeting them. “You probably listened to that gut of yours.”

He laughs under his breath. “It hasn't been wrong yet.”

“I know.” I squeeze his hand back, sending a thank you through my hand. “You’ve read the police report. You’ve seen the damage he left behind with what he did. There’s really not much else to say about it.”

“Bree, I know it’s tough, but I can tell you’re lying.”

Of course I’m lying.“If I told you the truth, you’d look at me differently.”

“No, I wouldn't.”

“Yes, you would.” EvenI look at myself differently since that night. I thought I was strong, a fighter, but that night showed me a different Bree.

“Bree—”

I cut him off. “Vince, don't—”

He cuts me off. “Don't you get it? There’s nothing you could ever say to me that would make me look at you any differently. So say it, Bree. Tell me every thought racing through that head of yours.”

Tears leak out of my eyes, but my breathing steadies as I all but whisper. “I didn't fight back.”

“What?”

“I didn't fight back!” I yell. “I laid there frozen while he touched me, while he whistled, while he changed my life. I. Did. Nothing. I’m a fucking coward! A coward who couldn't do anything but sit still and do what I was told!”

I’m breathing heavily again, and I’ve taken a few steps away from him. I never thought I’d be a pacer like Liv, but right now, I am.

I turn to look at Vince, and he has a solemn look on his face. “Angel…come here.” His arms are out wide.

My feet move of my own violation, and when I feel his arms wrap around me, I force myself not to break.

“Just because you didn't fight back doesn't mean you wanted that to happen to you. As far as I’m concerned, you’re a fucking fighter, Bree. You fight every single day to heal from what he did, and I’m proud of you every single day for not letting him win.”

Tears flood my eyes. I’m done being broken. I’m done letting others have a say overmylife, and I’m going to take my goddamn life back if it kills me.

Because here in his arms, where nothing can touch me, I believe I can do anything. And taking control of my life, my story, isexactly what’s on my list.

“Did Liv say anything else?”

“Connie is doing her best to control the fallout, but there’s something else.”

I move my head on his chest to meet his gaze, and more sorrow fills his expression. “Keep it coming, Vince. I might as well know about all the bad shit I’m walking back into.”

“There are some leaked messages between Ellie and Alex floating around. He’s also cheating on you with her, it seems. There’s a message from her telling him that you’re too traumatized to be a good girlfriend, that she could show him a better time, and another one stating how you weren't actually raped and should just get over it and stop acting like a victim.” His face twists in disgust as he recites the messages, and before I can stop it, I burst out laughing.

What the fuck even is my life? “Let me guess, the messages were first, and some reporter called my parents, offered a bunch of money for the full story, and they took it?”

He can only nod.

“How much?” I ask, wondering how much my parents made tellingmystory to the world.

“Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”

I laugh again. “That sounds about right.”

“Are you okay? Do you want to go back to the house? We can stay for a few extra days.”

I shake my head. “No,” I say as I start to walk back to the car. “I have a few conversations to have. We should get going.”

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