Chapter 37: Press Conference (3)
Damon leaned back slightly, his eyes locking onto the reporters who had asked the question. "So, tell me. Do you still think it’s that simple?"
A tense, suffocating silence spread across the room. Some reporters shifted uncomfortably in their seats, while others quickly scribbled down notes.
Charlotte took a deep breath, her chest tightening with emotions she had buried for too long.
Then, she finally spoke. "I stayed because I was scared. Because I thought no one would believe me. Because every time I tried to leave, Julian found a way to drag me back." Her voice wavered slightly but remained firm. "And that’s exactly why I’m speaking out now. So no one else has to go through what I did."
Her voice was strong and unwavering, as if she were speaking not just for herself but for every woman who had endured the same pain.
The cameras kept flashing, pens moved swiftly across notepads, but no one dared to interrupt her now.
Charlotte took a deep breath, steadying herself as she met the gaze of the reporters before her.
"I know some of you still doubt my words," she continued, "I know there are people out there who will say I stayed too long, that I should have left earlier. But unless you’ve been in my shoes, you will never understand the fear, the manipulation, the way abuse chains you to a life you never wanted."
The room was silent. All of their eyes were focused on her.
"I stayed because I was scared. I stayed because I was told no one would believe me. I stayed because every time I thought about leaving, I was reminded that Julian Warren was a powerful man who could destroy me with a single word." She swallowed hard. "And for a while, I believed him."
"But not anymore," Charlotte declared. "I’m done being scared. I refuse to let my past define me, and I refuse to let him control my future."