Chapter 8
The video deposition was worse than the slap.
Garrett’s lawyers sat across from me in a glass conference room and asked questions designed to make dignity sound suspicious.
“Isn’t it true men often compliment your appearance?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t it possible you encourage that?”
“No.”
“Do you enjoy attention?”
I looked at Simone.
She nodded.
I turned back.
“I enjoy paying my bills and going home safely.”
The lawyer’s mouth tightened.
He tried another path.
“Did you know Mr. Sterling before the incident?”
“No.”
“Have you developed a personal relationship with him since?”
Alexander sat at the far end of the table.
His expression did not change.
“No.”
“Has he given you money?”
“He paid for medical treatment after I was assaulted at work.”
“Has he visited your home?”
“No.”
“Would you like him to?”
The room went still.
Simone leaned forward.
“Careful.”
The lawyer smiled.
“I’m asking about bias.”
I looked straight at him.
“You’re asking whether I got slapped because I’m poor and pretty, or because I’m some kind of social climber.”
His smile vanished.
“So let me save time. I did not know Alexander Sterling. I did not flirt with Tiffany’s boyfriend. I did not ask to be assaulted. And I did not ask powerful men to turn my face into an excuse for whatever deal they were fighting over.”
Silence.
Then Simone whispered, “Excellent.”
After the deposition, Alexander walked me to the elevator.
“You were very strong.”
I pressed the button.
“I was very angry.”
“Sometimes that’s the same fuel.”
The doors opened.
Before I stepped in, he said, “For what it’s worth, I don’t think your face is the most remarkable thing about you.”
I looked back.
My heart did something I did not trust.
“What is?”
He held my gaze.
“You keep standing up in rooms designed to make you kneel.”
May you like
The elevator doors closed before I could answer.
For the first time in years, I smiled at my reflection and did not hate what other people saw first.
