Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO COULDN'T CONTROL HER ANYMORE
Colin appeared on television three days later.
He wore a dark suit and a carefully arranged expression of concern.
“My fiancée was taken from our wedding by a dangerous criminal,” he told reporters.
Paige watched from Vivian's office.
Her stomach twisted.
Colin continued.
“She has been manipulated. I only want her home.”
Vivian switched off the screen.
“He's trying to establish a public narrative.”
Paige nodded.
“He always does.”
“Would you like to respond?”
Paige hesitated.
She had spent years avoiding attention.
Now her face was on every major news site.
The thought of speaking publicly made her hands shake.
But the thought of letting Colin speak for her was worse.
“Yes,” she said.
The statement was brief.
Paige appeared beside Vivian in a quiet conference room.
There were no dramatic accusations.
No tears for the cameras.
She looked directly into the lens.
“My name is Paige. I was not kidnapped from my wedding. I left voluntarily.”
She paused.
“I did not consent to that marriage freely. I am safe, and I am working with legal counsel.”
A reporter asked whether Gabriel Rossy had pressured her.
Paige answered clearly.
“No. He offered me a choice. I made it.”
Another reporter asked about Colin.
Paige looked into the camera.
“I don't want to return to him.”
The statement spread quickly.
Some people believed her.
Others didn't.
But for the first time, the public heard her voice instead of Colin's.
That evening, Gabriel found her on the terrace.
“You did well.”
Paige looked toward the valley.
“I nearly threw up.”
“Courage and nausea aren't mutually exclusive.”
She laughed.
He stood beside her.
After a moment, she said, “Colin used to make me rehearse apologies.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“For what?”
“Anything. Spilling coffee. Asking questions. Looking unhappy.”
She swallowed.
“He said I had to learn to sound sincere.”
Gabriel said nothing.
Paige continued.
“Today was the first time I spoke publicly without wondering whether he'd punish me afterward.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“You should be proud.”
She shook her head.
“I'm not there yet.”
“Then I'll wait.”
Paige turned.
“For what?”
“For you to believe it.”
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Paige stepped closer.
She wanted to kiss him.
The realization startled her.
Gabriel seemed to sense it.
But he didn't reach for her.
Instead, he said quietly:
“You don't owe me affection because I helped you.”
Paige's eyes filled.
“I know.”
“Good.”
May you like
She took his hand.
“I'm starting to think I might want to give it anyway.”
