Truth in the Crossfire

Truth in the Crossfire
Aria's POV

The video continued to play.

Maya and I kept looking at the same shaky video: Victor's research, the thick curtains, the mahogany desk, Cole's gloomy expression, filled with rage, and something else, something that, although I knew it wasn't, felt like a betrayal.

Then there was the silver flash.

The firearm.

The camera angle was too bad, blurring the reality just enough to leave everything up for interpretation, even though Victor's hand was cocked and ready on the weapon.

The frame suddenly went black.

With a curse, Maya threw her phone onto the table. "It has been edited. That cut was deliberate, I assure you.

I pieced it together mentally and whispered, "But they released it just after the confession leak." Damage control is what it is. Victor's retaliation.

I turned to face her. "Is the original confession with us?"

It was an anonymous email. In less than an hour, the file was taken offline. People are already spinning it as a deepfake.

I leaned back in my chair and let out a deep exhale. My entire body hurt—from anxiety, from tiredness, from this never-ending battle of illusion and image.

"I must see Cole."

"Aria—"

"No." I got up. "I must tell him this before the world twists it."

Maya remained silent. She simply gave me the file once more. "Take caution. They're watching and not only by the press.

The condition of the police station had gotten worse.

Even during the day, paparazzi were lining the sidewalk with bright flashing cameras. The security officers appeared just as worn out as I was. When I showed the lawyer's clearance, they let me pass through despite one of them trying to stop me.

Cole was once more waiting behind the divider, but as soon as he noticed me, he got up.

His eyes had bags under them. His posture had relaxed from its customary sharpness as if the world's weight had finally begun to stoop his shoulders.

As soon as I sat down, he inquired, "Is it true?" "The video?"

Slowly, I nodded. "It's out."

He combed his hair with his hand. They'll think that I grabbed for it and that I intended to harm him.

"But you didn't." Leaning in, I spoke steadily. "We both know, Cole, that you'd never—"

He whispered, "I should never have gone there alone." "I stepped directly into his trap."

I extended my hand and touched the glass. "I'll get you to leave."

His blue eyes were crisper now as he peered up at me. "How?"

"Because I possess something that he lacks."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Reality," I muttered.

In the afternoon, I gave Kaitlyn a call.

She spoke in a clipped but cool tone. "He is aware of my conversations. I believe someone is following me.

My heart stopped beating. "Are you okay?"

"For the time being. But this isn't how I can go public. If Victor discovers that I consented to testibefore to the trial...

"He'll keep you quiet," I concluded for her.

A long pause ensued. Next:

"A file is present. Evidence of his actions against others. In case I ever needed protection, I kept iEmailsilVoiceice memoAgreementsnts. Victor even made Cole sign with me in the initial draft of the prenuptial agreement.

I blinked. "What?"

"If Cole ever disobeyed him, he made sure I could take everything." I preserved the evidence, but I didn't follow through.

"Can Cole be cleared by that file, Kaitlyn?"

"It could kill Victor if used properly."

I did everything everyone warned me not to do that night.

I visited Victor's home.

By themselves.

I wore a wire, per Maya's request. "If he speaks willingly, it's not against the law," she stated. However, avoid letting him touch you. Avoid drinking anything. Don't even breathe nearby.

Every part of the property was as immaculate and frigid as the man himself, and I parked outside his imposing gates.

I was escorted inside by a guard. The same study from the video was where Victor waited. The room's air felt abrasive, too silent, as though the walls were holding their breath.

With the same smug calm on his face, he looked up from his chair.

He stood and murmured, "Aria." "What a shock. Were you there to weep for my son?

I looked him in the eyes. "I came to negotiate."

He poured a tumbler of whiskey and laughed. You did, of course. Everyone has a desire even you.

I didn't answer.

He swirled his drink and replied, "You want Cole out." "You want the press to stop criticizing you. Perhaps even your small vineyard is still intact. I'm assuming you're here to give something in return?

My back tensed. "I have nothing to contribute. My purpose is to alert you.

He was interested in that.

I told you that you were losing. "People are beginning to doubt the narrative. Kaitlyn is speaking. The emails belong to Maya. I've also viewed the original video, which you modified. You had the gun in your hand already.

His grin wavered.

I went on, "I have your confession." "The one where you threatened to make it look like my son hit me if he didn't follow instructions."

Victor put down the glass. Hard.

"You think you'll be taken more seriously than I am? Do you think they'll believe a girl who is holding onto the semblance of her deceased father's name?

Leaning forward, I let the fito rise. You've undervalued me, so they'll believe me. In the same way that you undervalued Kaitlyn. In the same way that you undervalued Cole.

There was a brief period of stillness in the room.

Victor then took a step forward.

This time, he didn't ssmilDidn'tchuckle.

"You have no idea what sort of man I am."

"I do now," I murmured. "And I took notes on everything that was said."

For a moment, his eyes widened. Only a flicker.

Then: anger.

"You little—"

However, I was on my way and at the door already.

I turned around once and said, "You're done, Victor." "And I'll see to it that everyone witnesses your fall."

I gave Maya the recorder back in her car.

She had trembling hands.

"This is sufficient."

"Not just yet," I replied.

We still needed to withstand the storm Victor would bring down before the truth came out, even though I wanted to run to Cole and tell him it was done.

The interview was broadcast the following morning.

I didn't wait for approval this time.

With my hands folded in my lap and my voice firm, I stared directly into the camera.

Victor Montgomery manipulated the truth as well as his family by abusing his position of authority. Both Cole Montgomery's and my names have been woven into this story. Victor didn't anticipate, however, that the individuals he tried to break—the ones he used—would fight back.

The screen flickered to the confession transcript.

The voice of Victor, emphatically saying the line about framing his son, is then heard in another clip.

The anchor looked across at me. "You put everything on the line by doing this."

"I didn't take any chances," I declared. "When Victor believed fear to be more powerful than love, he did."

And I watched the tide turn for the first time in days.

The press began to inquire. Victor's former workers started contacting him. The identity of the film editor was revealed, and it was verified that Victor had ordered the tape to be changed.

What about Cole?

By the time I arrived at the courthouse for the bail hearing that afternoon, he was already waiting outside.

Free.

Without a word, I walked into his arms as soon as his eyes met mine.

Though wordless, the kiss conveyed a lot.

We weren't damaged.

We were made.

However, when we turned to go—

The air cracked with a single shot.

People let out a shout. Cameras fell.

As security crowded the courthouse steps, Cole grabbed me and pulled me behind the car.

Blood.

Not his.

Victor Montgomery held his side as he stood at the edge of the crowd. Red was dripping from his hand.

However, his expression was not one of dread.

Relief was felt.

He chuckled as the guards threw him to the ground.

Like a man with a final card to play, he laughed.

And I understood—

This was not the end of it.

Not quite yet.

Because if Victor's tale was out of control—

He’d die trying to end ours.