Chapter 12: Standing Tall
The main doors at the back of the ballroom swung open. Jack walked down the central aisle, holding Lily firmly by his side.
The crowd parted in shock, cameras flashing as independent journalists in the audience began live-streaming the scene on their phones.
""Jack?"" Eleanor gasped into the live microphone, stepping back from the podium. ""What are you doing? You are mentally unwell—someone call security!""
""I'm not sick, Eleanor,"" Jack’s voice rang out, clear and steady, echoing through the silent room without the aid of a microphone. ""And for the first time in my life, I'm not afraid of you.""
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He stopped ten feet from the stage, bringing Lily to stand beside him. ""You built a career telling the world how to raise resilient children. But behind closed doors, you built a prison for kids who didn't fit your sick standard of perfection.""
""It was for their own good!"" Eleanor blurted out, her defense slipping out before she could catch herself. A collective gasp rose from the audience.
