Beside me, I sense Jake stiffen. I guess this information is as much of a surprise to him as it is to me. Trix must have waited to tell us all at the same time.
“Fast forward to college. Weston cheated on a couple of exams, and Daddy bailed him out by donating a new wing to a building. He got in a couple of bar fights, and once again attacked a woman. This time, he wasn’t even dating her, but he stalked her and wouldn’t leave her alone. She brought her issues to the schooladministration, but lo and behold, the girl abruptly drops out of the school and is never heard from again.”
Wow. I had no idea Weston was this awful. Why did I assume I was the first woman he terrorized? Of course he has a history of violence.
And I’m not surprised he cheated on exams in college. His reactions to my scores were way out of proportion. He probably would have done anything to boost his own grades, even cheat.
Finally, the stalking. I remember now how he had memorized my outfit from the first day of medical school, and I didn’t even recall meeting him that day. He probably targeted me then—the realization sends chills down my spine.
“I found all the parties in question, and they’re ready to fight back. So let me know what you want to do.” Trix gives me a sly smile. “I have an idea of how to wreak havoc on Weston, but I won’t do anything without your say-so.”
Unable to help myself, I glance quickly at Jake, who gives me a smile so mixed with sadness and hope that my heart squeezes painfully. Once more I’m struck by how Jake helped me even after I treated him badly. He still put me first, stepping up as always to help me out.
Before now, I thought there was no way to fight back against Weston, since I didn’t have any concrete evidence of his behavior. Not to mention, the Ashcrofts are ungodly rich, and I was no match against their money and influence. But now? I have every faith that Trix means what she says. She doesn’t seem like the typeof person to make claims she can’t back up. And most importantly, Jake trusts her.
It’s simultaneously terrifying and liberating to think that I, Lucy Chang, have the power to fight back against Weston. Me, the girl who barely had a mind of her own and allowed everyone else to direct her path. Do I have the courage to take this step forward?
If Jake can reach out first with no safety net, so can I.
Suddenly, I’m filled with fierce determination. This stage of my life, this passive limbo where I don’t take charge of my own trajectory, is over. It’s my life, and I make my own choices. Not anyone else. Not my parents, not Weston, not Peter. Not even my friends and Jake.
Me.
“Weston in a position of power is a bad idea.” I say in a confident tone that is unrecognizable even to me. I discover that I enjoy how it sounds—forceful and firm. “He doesn’t feel any remorse for what he’s done and instead perpetuates his bad behavior. If there is a legal way to fight back, I’d like to pursue that.”
At the edge of my vision, I see Jake’s hand twitch as if he wants to touch me, an impulse I share. But I can’t focus on him just yet.
“And that,” Trix says with a grin, “is where Ian comes in.”
Ian clears his throat. “First of all, Lucy, I’m so sorry about this asshole. No woman should ever endure what he put you through.”
“Thanks, Ian,” I say. It’s good to know that there are guys like Ian and Jake who respect women.
Ian shakes his head. “Please don’t thank me. Treating you like an equal should be the bare minimum. Anyway. I’m not really theone that can help. But my sister Sophia can. She’s the lead reporter at theBlackwell Times, and she’d love to write a story on this.”
And that’s when I know: I can ruin Weston’s life. Ironically, he threatened the same to me the night I hid in my bathroom. It’s fitting we are coming full circle.
It isn’t a decision I take lightly, but if I can help other women in my situation, I’ll do it. I know Weston and his dad will put up a fight, but I’ve got to try.
“Let’s take this bastard down,” I say.
After we figure out when to meet at Sophia’s office, I tap Jake’s shoulder. “Would you go for a walk with me?”
He nods, his gray eyes serious.
As we exit into the sunlit day, we speak at the same time.
“I’m so sorry—” I say.
“I shouldn’t have—” he says.
And then we both stop and laugh awkwardly. “You first,” I say.
Jake says, “I wish I could have a redo.”
Wait, does he think our fight was his fault? “I don’t think you’re the one who needs the redo.”
Jake shakes his head. “You were…stressed, and I only added to it. I wouldn't be surprised if you were upset because of all the combined pressures on you—your mom, Weston, Peter, me—it was a perfect storm.”
