Chapter 510 Vivian's POV His name on my tongue tasted like poison. "He became obsessed with her," I went on. "He watched her at college for months. Left gifts. Sent flowers. Showed up at places he knew she'd be. She said no. Over and over. Politely at first. Then firmly.. Then out of fear." My voice hardened. Went cold. "And after so many rejections, he did what Dominic always does when he can't get what he wants." I looked straight at Madeline. "He took her." I saw Madeline bring both hands to her mouth, a strangled sound escaping her.

"He kidnapped her as she was leaving campus," I continued, merciless now. She needed to hear it. Needed to understand. "Took her to a house he owned. Kept her there for ten days. And what he did to her during those ten days..." My voice broke again, but I forced myself to keep going. "What he did to her-you can imagine, Madeline. Use your imagination. Think of the worst thing you can." I swallowed. "And then make it worse." "Oh my God," Madeline whispered, her voice shattered. "Oh my God, Vivian..." "We tried," I said, the old, familiar rage rising like bile. "We tried to get justice.

The right way. The legal way. We went to the police. Filed reports. Cecilia gave statements for hours. Hours of reliving every moment. Every detail. Every horror." I stood up, unable to stay seated any longer. "And do you know what happened?" I asked, my voice rising. "Do you know what justice did?" I walked until I was standing right in front of Madeline. I "Are you sure you didn't go to his house willingly?"" I said, spitting out every word.

"What were you wearing?' 'Had you been drinking?' 'You shouldn't have been out alone at night.' 'Had you talked to him before?' 'Did you smile at him?' 'Did you give him some kind of... encouragement?"" I was shouting now. "Are you sure it wasn't consensual and you just changed your mind?' 'Young people regret things. It happens.' 'Are you really sure you want to ruin the life of a young man with such a promising future?"" I stopped, breathing hard, tears and fury mixing together. "Dominic already owned the justice system," I said, quieter now. Dangerously calm. "Money. Connections. Power.

One word against 1/3 another. And his word was worth more than hers." I turned away, unable to look at Madeline anymore. "We gave up," I whispered. "We had to. There was no way to win. The system wasn't built for girls like Cecilia. It was built to protect men like Dominic." The silence that followed was absolute. Only the sound of our heavy breathing.

she'd failed to protect her daughter. That she didn't deserve to keep living when Cecilia had to live with that every single day." My legs gave out, and I sank to the ground right there, not caring about the dress, or dignity, or anything. "I found her," I whispered. "I came home from work and

later," I continued, wiping my face, "my niece was born." I looked at Madeline. "Cecilia never once considered not having her," I went on. "Not for a single second. She loved that baby from the moment she found out. She said she wouldn't let him take that from her too. That the child was innocent. That she was part of her, not him." I gave a weak smile. "And she loves that little girl. My

What it cost." I went quiet for a long moment. "And when justice failed," I finally said, looking at Dominic's body, "when justice failed, I decided I'd get justice my own way. No matter how long it

getting close. Earning his trust. Doing everything he asked. Being exactly what he wanted me to be. Swallowing my rage. Pretending loyalty. Waiting. Always waiting for the right moment." I kicked

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