It’s not happening. Fuck you, universe! Not. Fucking. Happening!
Chapter 11
Three Years Later
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“Freedom!” I cheer, throwing my arms over my head with a laugh as we make our way towards the green room.
“You act like we’re being forced to do this.” Ryker laughs, and my smile drops just a little bit. “Shit, sorry. I didn’t think...”
“It’s okay.” I shoot him a grin as I spin around to face the guys. “You’re right. We’re not being forced to do this.”Anymore.“But we did just finish a tour and I’m excited to take a little break, do something different. Try a few things.” I shrug.
I’ve been dabbling in more acting over the past few years, taking on smaller roles when I have the time. I like it. I like picking what I can do.
After everything with Julia, my life has changed a lot. But I’d like to think for the better.
Once Nate joined the team, we took a small break from everything to re-group and see what the best direction to go was.
I got myself into therapy, something I’ve found very helpful. My therapist helped me see that I was a victim, and just because I don’t like to play one, to let what happened control my life more than it already had, doesn’t mean I should dismiss what happened to me.
Working through it has been good. I feel freer, happier, and healthier.
Medication helps too. My depression is a lot more manageable now that I don’t have someone pushing me to be a puppet to do their bidding.
As for what’s happened with Julia? Well, her trial made national news. A trial that’s been ongoing for years. Turns out,her manipulation was something she didn’t just use in her work life, but in her personal life too.
Every time a new victim was brought to light, it made me sick to my stomach. There are so many people she has abused since becoming an Alpha. She was someone who was given a power, and once she realized she had the ability to use it against somebody, she abused it and became high off the control it gave her.
It wasn’t just clients she abused. It stemmed from people she went to school with, her teachers, to even her own poor mother. No one was safe.
She’s sick and cruel, and I wonder just how much worse it could have gotten.
If she was attracted to me, could she have used her control to take what she wanted? Because there were a few people she did that to. Making me even more disgusted by the whole thing.
It’s over now, thankfully, the very long three-year court case is coming to an end soon.
And while I haven’t been involved in it, other than to speak my piece and share my story, I’m glad it’s over.
She’s looking at life in prison, and boy, do I hope she gets slapped with that sentence.
“Don’t get too excited,” Nate says, popping my little happy bubble. Turning around, I find him and Liam standing there, side by side.
My stomach does this little swoop in part arousal and part fucking heartbreak.
“Don’t mellow my vibe.” I glare at my manager. And he gives me this playful smirk that always does things to my chest.
“I’m not trying to, Kitty Cat.” He winks. “Just reminding you we have one more thing to do tomorrow before you can truly relax.”
“Don’t remind me,” I grumble, throwing open the green room door. “It’s like anytime something good happens in my life, that bitch pops up in some way.”
“You don’t have to go,” Liam grunts, standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame. How can he look so good just existing? It shouldn't be allowed.
“I know,” I say softly. “But I want to. I want to say my piece. She took my voice away. This is me taking it back.”
His lips lift into a smile. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks.” I wink.