Part 263 (2/2)

Are you coming in with me?”

”Sure.”

The press was waiting. Cameras, lights, microphones at alert. Flashes

went off the moment she stepped up to the podium. Murmurs accompanied

them. She was very pale so that the healing bruises showed in vivid

contrast on her skin. Though no longer swollen, her left eye was a ma.s.s

of ugly fading colors that spread to cheekbone and hairline.

When she began to speak, they quieted.

She gave them only the facts, and not her feelings. She had learned

that much. What she felt inside was hers alone. It was a brief

statement, just over eight minutes. As she read, she was grateful that

Pete had helped her refine it. She ignored the cameras and the faces

that studied her. When she was done, she stepped back from the mike. It

had already been established that she would not take questions, but the

questions came.

She had turned away, her hand on Michael's arm when one penetrated.

”If he had abused you all those months, why did you stay?”

She didn't intend to answer, but she looked back. They were still

hurling questions. Only that one lodged in her mind.

”Why did I stay?” she repeated. The room fell silent again. It had

been easy to read the statement. She almost knew it by heart. It was

just words printed on paper, and they hadn't touched her. But this,

this one simple question drove straight into her heart.

”Why did I stay?” she said again. ”I don't know.” She fumbled,

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