Chapter 5 - Tyler’s Second Humiliation
Tyler agreed to a live television interview the following afternoon.
He clearly expected Emily to stay silent.
She didn’t.
The host turned toward him.
“You claim Emily used you financially?”
“Yes.”
Tyler adjusted his jacket.
“I supported her for years.”
A voice came from off-camera.
“That’s interesting.”
Tyler froze.
Emily walked onto the set.
Vincent remained behind the cameras.
This was her fight.
Tyler stared.
“What are you doing here?”
“Answering your claims.”
Emily sat opposite him.
The host looked delighted.
Emily opened a folder.
“Here are seventeen transfers from my account to Tyler’s.”
Tyler’s face changed.
“Those were shared expenses.”
“Your apartment wasn’t shared.”
“Emily—”
“Neither was your car payment.”
The host looked through the documents.
“This totals more than eleven thousand dollars.”
Tyler swallowed.
Emily continued.
“And these are text messages.”
She read one.
“‘If you loved me, you wouldn’t embarrass me by making me ask again.’”
Tyler interrupted.
“This is private.”
“You made our relationship public.”
Silence.
Emily closed the folder.
“You told people I was desperate.”
She looked directly at him.
“You were right about one thing.”
Tyler frowned.
“What?”
“I was desperate.”
Vincent watched from the shadows.
Emily continued.
“Desperate for your approval. Desperate to become whatever you wanted.”
She shook her head.
“I’m not anymore.”
Tyler looked toward Vincent.
“This is because of him.”
“No.”
Emily smiled.
“He just reminded me what respect looks like.”
The interview exploded online.
By evening, Tyler’s original claims had collapsed.
Outside the studio, Emily found Vincent waiting.
“Well?” she asked.
“Well what?”
“How did I do?”
Vincent stepped closer.
“You didn’t need me.”
Emily smiled.
“That bother you?”
“No.”
“Good.”
“I never wanted you to need me.”
His voice softened.
“I wanted you to choose me.”
Emily’s smile faded.
“Vincent…”
“I know.”
“What?”
“You’re not ready.”
She stared at him.
“You’re surprisingly emotionally functional for a terrifying criminal.”
“I have a therapist.”
Emily burst out laughing.
“You do not.”
“I do.”
“Seriously?”
“Thursday mornings.”
She laughed harder.
Vincent simply watched her.
Then Emily reached for his hand.
He looked down.
She intertwined their fingers.
“I’m not ready for promises.”
“I didn’t ask for any.”
“But I’d like another burger.”
“That can be arranged.”
“And maybe another date.”
Vincent’s thumb brushed over her knuckles.
May you like
“That too.”
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