Chapter 17
Back at their hotel, the Collins family sat in silence for a long time.[]
In her mother’s embrace. Avery gradually calmed down.]]
She knew her parents were worried sick about her. To reassure them she ordered dinner and tried to comfort them with a smile.]
“Mom, Dad. It’s all over now. I’ve moved on already. Can we stop with the sad faces?”
Seeing how mature she was being her parents squeezed her hand, their eyes full of concern.]
“Honey, since you’ve moved on I won’t ask too many questions. No need to bring up painful memories. But I need to know one thing honestly. Did you suffer any other mistreatment from Ethan?”
Avery paused.
She thought back over the years and especially what happened before leaving New York. She didn’t know where to begin.
Most of her pain came from discovering Ethan had been playing with her feelings all along.
But emotions are complicated things that can’t be easily judged as right or wrong.
After thinking for a while she realized there was one matter that definitely needed resolution.[]
So she told them about what happened at the bar the night before they left.[]
After hearing the whole story her father slammed the table in rage. Her mother looked horrified.]
The couple couldn’t let this slide. They immediately booked flights back to New York.
“Attempted rape by coercion is a crime! Don’t worry baby. We won’t let anyone who tried to hurt you get away with this.”
After a night’s rest the Collins family’s first order of business back in New York was retrieving the surveillance footage from the bar and going straight to the police station to file charges.
With solid evidence the police brought in all suspects for questioning that same day.
At first Sophia had no idea what was happening but when she saw Avery at the station all the color drained from her face.
Before formal questioning even began she rushed up to Avery trying to get ahead of the situation.
“I thought you moved away?” Her voice shook. “Why are you back?”
“To settle scores obviously. You know exactly what you did.” Avery’s voice was ice cold.]
Panic flashed across Sophia’s face but she kept denying everything.[]
“I didn’t do anything! How dare you accuse me!”
e!”
Avery couldn’t be bothered with her bullshit.[]
“Whether it’s false accusations or not we have video evidence. It’s not up to you to decide.”
Soon Sophia remembered everything that happened that night as she watched the crystal–clear video evidence.
When she heard the police mention pressing charges she completely lost her composure. Her arrogance vanished as she started begging.
“I’m so sorry! I was just jealous that night! I wasn’t thinking straight! Look nothing bad actually happened to you. Can’t we just drop this whole thing? Please?” Hearing this Avery couldn’t help but laugh bitterly.[]
She’d been so devastated by everything that happened she’d just wanted to leave New York as quickly as possible. She hadn’t had time to deal with this issue. What did Sophia mean “nothing bad happened“?]
If Avery hadn’t grabbed that ashtray she might not have even made it out of that bar alive!]
Such a horrible act and Sophia showed zero remorse, still trying to brush it off.]
Avery would never let that happen
“Save at for court. I’m taking this all the way.
Those words sent Sophia spiraling
Chapter 17
Just thinking about being sentenced to prison time and her bright future completely destroyed made her panic. She turned to beg Avery’s father.[]
“Mr. Collins please! For old times‘ sake just let me off this once! You know how hard I’ve worked to get where I am! Please be merciful! Give me another chance! Please!“]]
As he saw his once–promising student crying and pleading, Mr. Collins remained unmoved. He simply told her one thing.[]
You’ve completely let me down.“]
