“I’m so sorry, ma’am, but I’ve been on the Beverly Mills side of town all my life, so I don’t think I even know who you are.”

Cory snorts under his breath like I just proved his point, but the woman simply glances at him, her expression dripping in disappointment. She doesn’t dignify his ignorance with a response. Instead, she looks back at me, lifting her chin with grace.

“I’m Governor Carter. Well, former Governor, but they still like to call me that still.”

Oh, she’s important.

She gestures to the man beside her, proud and confident. “And this is my husband, the honorable Judge Boom.”

Jeff and Kendra exchange knowing smiles before stepping forward to hug them, all warmth and familiarity. Everyone receives a warm welcome. Everyone except Cory and his father.

Then, Governor Carter turns back to me. “Ms. Kind,” she says, voice softer now but still steady, strong. “Vicky Grimes is a new friend of mine, and she told me about you…” She lets the words linger before finally flicking her gaze toward Cory. “About everything.”

The table stills, and the entire restaurant feels like it’s holding its breath. Jeff and Kendra don’t flinch. Because they know. They all know.

Who hasn’t heard a version of the story of what happened to me? Well, Vic hasn’t.

And when I turn toward him, I see the confusion on his face. He’s trying to understand, trying to piece together the weight in the governor’s words, but he doesn’t know. He doesn’t know the kind of monster sitting just a few feet away.

Then, it dawns on me. This is who Vicki was talking about—the people she wanted me to meet. The people who would help me break free, once and for all.

Governor Carter gently squeezes my hand. “I understand the new town merger has put a strain on a lot of families, especially on your side of town. Many great people have unfairly lost their jobs, but I assure you, things will be made right. And crimes that were committed and covered up? They will be exposed.” Her words land exactly where she intended them to. “You matter, Kerry. Jeff and the judge’s office will call you soon. A friend of Vicky Grimes is a friend of ours.”

Without thinking, I hug her tight, full of emotion. For years, I assumed people in Greer were just greedy, corrupt, and untouchable, but it’s my own town, Beverly Mills, that condemned me the most for surviving something I had no control over.