“This is the ‘J Bruise’,” Ho Yoke Peng explained. “It marks my coming out as a rape survivor. With this, I am telling the whole world that I am over it. I am moving on.”

Jessica gasped with horror. She stared at the meek young woman and imagined the avalanche of attention coming her way once Andreae made public the clip. “Are you sure about this?”

Ho Yoke Peng gave a determined nod. “I have been in hiding for too long. I joined a Rape Survivor support group but all they did was reinforce the misery. When I saw your clip, I knew I had finally found my role model. Not only did you rise up, resurrected, from the ordeal, you turned your pain into your strength and inspired the community to do good. You are a true inspiration, Jessica Tan.”

Jessica began to panic when she noticed Andreae angling the mobile phone at her. Of all people, how could she, who knew where the bruise on her wrist came from and who knew she was not a rape victim, pin her to the wall and force her to lie on video? Jessica was furious but for now, she felt she had no choice but to say what was expected of her.

“I am sorry it happened to you, Yoke Peng. And I am so glad you rose above it. You will need courage and tenacity to face what lies ahead when… How are you going to share this clip?”

“I am going to upload it onto my Facebook. I want my family and friends to see it, especially Mervin Yeo.” At this point, Ho Yoke Peng turned and looked straight into the mobile phone. There was a fierce glint of pride in her eyes as she continued, “Yes, you, Mervin. I thought you looked so cute in your bow tie. And I thought you were so kind to ask me out for a date after the book club meetings. I never imagined that you would take advantage of me. You left me miserable and doubting myself for years, wondering if I had misled you and brought this upon myself. But today, I want you to look at this tattoo on my wrist. This ‘J Bruise’ tattoo means I am over it. I am moving on. You and what you did have no more power over me.”

Andreae tapped the screen to halt the recording and gushed, “That was a magnificent sharing, Yoke Peng!”

“I took your advice.” Yoke Peng reverted to her meek persona and blushed. “I practised in front of the mirror and imagined I was Jessica. I channelled her courage.”

“Great! Now I need you to move over and sit beside Jessica. I want both of you in the same frame for the last segment.”

“What last segment?” Jessica was nervous. She did not like the way things were going.