Chapter 218

Edward’s response comes in the form of a video message. Crystal set it up on the television on the wall, while Miles and I huddle closer to the screen. Miles holds tightly onto my hand.

“Whatever happens. Whatever he says. We will stand against him and we will win,” he says.

I believe him. Last night, before falling asleep, I checked some of the public opinion regarding our press conference. While there were some who suspected it was a publicity stunt, for the most part, people were excited about the revelation. It endeared them to Miles, and to me.

Edward, responding this quickly, is likely to be reacting on anger and emotion, rather than logical thinking. If he continues to attack me, it could only backfire on him.

While I’m not eager to hear any more of Edward’s cruel words, I am ready for him to finally face some public outcry for the things he had done. His numbers were already dwindling, thanks to Daphne’s interview and her request for a divorce. He seemed on a downward slump.

Perhaps even those within the Whisperers were finally turning their backs on him, as many of the news organizations, not just Harbinger’s, were starting to cover the negative stories about him as well as the good.

One of the best posts I’ve seen so far started asking serious questions regarding Edward’s own words. Edward had accused me of being a child prostitute without his knowledge. The poster questioned, “How in the world does a girl of what – twelve? – run a prostitute ring without Edward’s knowledge? Isn’t he supposed to be on site? Wouldn’t he notice a bunch of strange men wanting to see her alone?”

Others chimed in, agreeing, and poking more holes. A few even started looking into Edward and were noticing some discrepancies with his finances. “People who run orphanages shouldn’t make this much money. Where did all this money come from?”

The posts have been going viral, raising more alarm bells and more questions. For Miles to back me enough to want to marry me, only reinforced my reputation.

People are finally starting to believe that, like Daphne, I’m a victim, and Edward Zimmer is an abuser.

“It’s ready,” Crystal says.

“Start it,” Miles says. “Let’s get this over with.”

The video starts, showing Edward sitting behind the desk at his own campaign headquarters. He’s not nearly as neatly put-together as before. His tie is angled and his hair is a bit messy, as if he’s been running his fingers through it. Dark bags hang under his eyes.

“My opponent Representative Miles Hamilton has decided to throw his support behind the very person who has been making my lift hell for years, Esther Owens. She was a conniving, vicious little prostitute when I knew her, and now we are to believe that she is some sort of saint, saving children? Ridiculous.”

I imagine his campaign manager either didn’t know about this statement, or had already quit. Every single word he has said so far has been something someone should have advised him against.

“Esther has her hooks in Hamilton. She’s likely been using him from the start to get to me.”

That makes no sense, as Edward didn’t even join the campaign trail until right before the primaries.

“Everyone has turned on me, including my own wife.” Edward’s eyes look a little wild, darting all around the room without looking into the camera. “They think I can’t protect myself. They think I’m weak. Well, I’m not weak, and I’m not afraid. I have information on every last one of you. Just try to turn it around on me. Just try it!”

His anger makes me physically take a step back.

Miles notices instantly. To Crystal, he says, “Turn it off. We’ve seen enough.”

“We should watch the rest,” I tell him, though my voice is shaky.

“No,” Miles says, more firmly.

I breathe a sigh of relief. For my job, I know we have to hear it. But personally, I would like to go the rest of my life without even thinking about Edward Zimmer again.

“The numbers are already unfavorable for him,” Crystal tells us. Since this statement has been released, they’ve only dropped further. “And there’s more.”

Crystal starts to fiddle with the television.

“No more,” Miles says.

“You’ll want to see this,” she says. “It’s not Edward talking.”

Trusting Crystal, we turn to the television once more. This time, she’s turned on the news.

“Presidential Candidate Edward Zimmer is now under federal investigation, after accusations arose regarding his behavior while running an orphanage twenty-five years ago. Two victims came forward last week: Zimmer’s now ex-wife Daphne and Esther Owens, the Hamilton campaign manager as well as Hamilton’s fiancé. Since then, five more women have stepped forward to tell their stories of abuse.”

A photo appears on the screen, one I thought long lost. It was an orphanage group photo from the time right before Edward started there. In it, everyone was smiling, unknowing of the horrors that would soon befall us.

I wonder who the five women are who are stepping forward. Do I know them? The news reporter says they want to remain anonymous. I can only hope they too have found help for their suffering.

Over the next handful of months, things continue to progress. Miles rises in the polls, while Edward plummets.

I am called to court, alongside Daphne and the seventeen other victims now. Some of them I know. Many I don’t. We all speak in front of a judge and a jury. The grand jury, listening to our testimony, decides to indict.

Edward is arrested on Election Day. Somehow, he still manages to pull in a higher-than-expected percentage of votes. However, he is still vastly outnumbered by those who voted for Miles.

Miles wins the election in a landslide. As he gives his acceptance speech, he pulls me into his arms a hug in a kiss. In my ear, he whispers, “Soon, you’ll be my wife.”

We don’t quite make it to January, before we are married in a quiet, private ceremony with only our closest family and friends. Cynthia is there, as well as my parents and my daughters, and even Thea. Hugo and Kim also attend. Miles’s parents are there and a few more of his family.

After the wedding, Miles’s father hugs me tightly and tells me, “Thank you for saving my son.”

“He’s the one who saved me,” I say.

“That’s not true,” says Miles, close enough to overhear. “You saved yourself. I just happened to be there.”

Then, on January 20(th), in front of the Capital building, Miles places his hand on a bible and is sworn into office as the next president.

I’m standing just behind him, his new wife, with our two girls, his step-daughters now, watching proudly.

Before I met Miles, I never would have believed that my life could change like this. I’d been a lonely and neglected housewife with a childhood of abuse and parents who favored my sister more than me.

I thought myself more a burden than anything else, believing that I had only been put on this earth to raise my two girls the best I could and nothing else.

Now, I’m watching the man I love take on the most powerful job in the country, a feat I helped him accomplish.

After he’s done, Miles glances back at me and winks.

My heart races, and I know. I’ll never be alone again.