Chapter 11 - THE NIGHT I STOPPED RUNNING
The court hearing took place in January.
I had agreed to provide a statement about Ryan's abuse and the threats I'd received.
My hands shook as I entered the courthouse.
Maria walked beside me.
Rachel Kim, my advocate, waited near the courtroom.
Aleandro stood farther down the hall.
He didn't approach until I looked at him.
Then he smiled.
“You don't have to be brave every second.”
I laughed weakly.
“That's unfortunate. I was hoping to make it my entire personality.”
He smiled.
Then grew serious.
“Whatever happens today, you decide what comes next.”
I nodded.
Inside, I spoke clearly.
I described the bruises.
The threats.
The fear.
The nights I'd slept with my shoes on because I thought I might need to run.
Ryan stared at the table.
He didn't look at me.
For once, I was grateful.
When I finished, the room was silent.
I stepped down.
Maria hugged me.
Rachel squeezed my shoulder.
And Aleandro waited outside.
I approached him.
He looked at me.
“How do you feel?”
I thought about it.
Then smiled through tears.
“Like I finally told the truth.”
He nodded.
“Good.”
I looked toward the courthouse doors.
For months, I'd believed surviving meant staying quiet.
Now I understood.
May you like
Sometimes survival meant speaking.
Even when your voice shook.
