EPISODE 10
UNWRITTEN NO MORE:  A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. 

Victoria’s eyes blazed with malice as she leaned in, her voice dripping with venom.
“Emily, dear, you’re so quick to defend James. But do you know the truth?”Emily’s guard was up, sensing Victoria’s intentions.
“What truth?” Emily asked warily.
Victoria’s smile twisted. “How about your rape case and the murder of your brother years back? Would you believe if I told you James is behind it too?”
Emily’s world crashed around her. The wounds she thought had healed ripped open.”What…what are you talking about?” Emily stammered.
Victoria’s voice dripped with mock sympathy. “Oh, Emily. You poor thing. James has been playing you all along. He’s been manipulating you, using your past to control you.”
Emily’s mind reeled, memories flooding back. The rape, her brother’s murder, the trauma she thought she’d overcome.
“No…that’s not true,” Emily whispered, her voice trembling.
Victoria’s eyes sparkled with triumph. “Ask James about his connection to Ryan Jenkins. Ask him about his involvement in your brother’s murder.”

Emily stormed out of the meeting place fuming in anger and disgust as she headed straight to James’ apartment.

Emily’s eyes locked onto James, her heart shattering.”James, is this true?” Emily asked, her voice barely audible.
James’ face paled, horror etched on his features.”Emily, no,see, I can explain” James protests, but Emily’s trust was shattered.

Emily’s eyes blazed with anguish as she faced James. “Tell me the truth. What do you know about Ryan Jenkins and my brother’s murder?”
James’ expression turned ashen. “Emily, I swear, I had nothing to do with it. Victoria’s manipulating you.”

Emily’s voice trembled. “Then explain why Victoria would say such things. But when I narrated everything to you, you acted like you knew nothing about it, tell me about this scar on your face”
James took a deep breath. “Ryan Jenkins was a business associate of mine and my friend back in the days. Emily I swear, rape was never the plan… My friends and I were drunk, we weren’t thinking straight. I tried stopping them and that was how I got the scar. I’m so sorry Emy”

Emily’s world spun, she couldn’t even remember seeing James that night but she couldn’t believe that he was part of the gang and he knew about it all along. She wanted to forgive James, “Her Past Trauma Resurfaces”
Memories Emily thought she’d buried flooded back. The rape, her brother’s murder, the feelings of helplessness.

James stepped closer, his arms open. “Emily, please I beg you. I’ve not forgiven myself since that incident. It’s been years but it still torment me.”Emily’s instincts screamed to push him away, but her heart yearned for comfort.” I swore to bring the rapist and murderer to justice, James why?????” She couldn’t hold back her tears. At that point she didn’t have the slightest energy for anything else. Out of all the revelations and truth she had uncovered the past year, this particular one broke her to pieces. She felt like all the men in her life has at some point disappointed her in more ways than one, she just couldn’t believe that James was capable of such. She gently picked up herself and headed home.

After days of self deliberation, she decided to finally speak to James.”We have two options, either to end things with me or……….face the court. I’m sorry, but that’s the only solution. I can’t be with a rapist, you traumatized me for years James, because of you and your friends I lost my virginity, lost my womb and I equally lost my brother.
James couldn’t hold back his tears, trying to beg her” Baby please don’t do this, I’m so sorry please don’t leave me, I am nothing without you. I beg you with everything I own”.

But Emily had to keep to the promise she gave her late brother, so she left without looking back.

Victoria’s sabotage took it’s toll on Emily’s company. Investors withdrew, partners canceled contracts, and employees began to doubt Emily’s leadership. Emily’s usual steadfast resolve wavered.
Victoria watched Emily’s struggle with her business and her life in general. “Alex, it’s time for phase two.”
Alex hesitated. “Victoria, this could destroy Emily’s livelihood.”

Victoria’s eyes flashed. “That’s the point.”
Alex nodded, reluctantly carrying out Victoria’s instructions.
Emily’s lawyer called, voice grim. “Emily, we’ve lost the major lawsuit. Your company’s assets are frozen, it’s under investigation.”

Emily felt like she’d been punched. She just can’t take Victoria’s hit anymore, it was time to fight back and get her life back on track. She has allowed her get away with a lot but not this time. Since she wants to play dirty then let the games begin.

Emily contacted an old school mate who was a private investigator and narrated her ordeal to him, he promised to help her with the case and get enough evidence to nail Victoria.

Further investigations led him to a hidden safe in Ryan Jenkins’ office. Inside he found documents linking Victoria’s family to Emily’s brother’s murder and this was all she needed to finally put an end to Victoria’s schemes.

Victoria’s triumph was short-lived. Her father, Reginald, summoned her to his office.”Victoria, your actions have consequences,” Reginald said, his voice cold. “You’ve endangered our family’s reputation.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll handle Emily and James.”
“Well you’ve gotten what you’ve always wanted. Emily and James are separated, all thanks to you” He looks at her in disgust. You just couldn’t stand the fact that he broke up with you right? You just had to drag him down with your petty schemes.

Victoria looking excited… “Woah, that was quick, they gave up too easily”.
Reginald’s gaze turned icy. “This ends now! Your fury and quest to get revenge on James will only ruin you further. Emily is not your problem Victoria. James has moved on and so should you.

But if you still insist and when you reach the peak of your foolishness, I’m going to help bring you down since you’ve chosen to be a threat to this company” I cannot be a party to such folly.

Two weeks later, Emily arrived at Victoria’s office determined to expose her lies.”Victoria, your game’s over,” Emily said, her voice firm.
Victoria sneered, but her eyes betrayed her fear.
She revealed the documents linking Victoria’s family to Emily’s brother’s murder.
Victoria’s face paled. “You’ll never prove it.”
Reginald appeared, his expression stern. “Victoria, your actions have shamed our family. You’ll face the consequences.”

It didn’t take long and Victoria’s empire began to crumble. As if they found out who Victoria truly is, Investors abandoned her, partners severed ties, and her reputation was tarnished. Her Father completely iced her out.

Emily’s company, once on the brink of collapse, received an unexpected investment offer from Reginald, Victoria’s father.
“Emily, consider this a gesture of goodwill,” Reginald said. “Use it to rebuild your business.”
Emily’s eyes narrowed. “What’s the catch? “Reginald smiled. “No catch. Just a chance to start anew.”
With Reginald’s investment, Emily’s company began to flourish. She expanded her operations, hired new staff, new interested partners and investors and regained her confidence.
As Emily’s business grew, Victoria still never gave up.

Meanwhile, Victoria, fueled by anger and humiliation, continued with her revenge.”Alex, I want Emily destroyed,” Victoria snarled.
Alex hesitated, sensing Victoria’s instability. “Victoria, maybe it’s time to—”Victoria’s glare cut him off. “You’ll do as I say.”
Victoria orchestrated a smear campaign against Emily’s business, spreading false rumors and sabotaging her operations.

Emily’s determination hardened” I won’t let her bring me down”. She stormed into Victoria’s office, her anger unleashed.”Victoria, stop this vendetta,” she demanded.
Victoria sneered. “You’ll pay for ruining my life.”
As Emily’s business continued to thrive, Victoria’s desperation intensified.”Alex, do whatever it takes,” Victoria ordered.

Alex hesitated, sensing catastrophe.

Emily eventually filed a lawsuit against Victoria for defamation and sabotage as the private investigator and her lawyer adviced. It was time to put a stop to all this. Their lawyer, Sarah, was confident. “We have solid evidence. Victoria will pay for her actions.”
Victoria’s lawyer countered with a surprise move: a counter-lawsuit alleging Emily had conspired against Victoria.

In court, tensions ran high. Emily testified, presenting damning evidence against Victoria.Victoria’s lawyer tried to discredit them, but Emily’s calm demeanor and James’ convincing testimony won over the jury.

The jury delivered a decisive verdict: Victoria was guilty of defamation and sabotage. The judge ordered Victoria to pay damages and cease all hostile actions.

Victoria’s reputation was irreparably damaged. Her business empire crumbled, and she faced financial ruin. Emily emerged victorious.

As Victoria’s empire crumbled, her once-loyal associates abandoned her.
“Victoria, you’ve lost control,” Alex said, his voice cold. “We can’t afford to be tainted by your actions.”
Victoria’s eyes widened in shock. “You’re betraying me?”Alex shrugged. “Self-preservation, Victoria. You taught me well.”
Victoria stood alone, her reputation in shambles. Her phone rang, silence on the other end.
“Hello?” Victoria said, desperation creeping in. The line went dead.
Victoria’s solitude was suffocating. No one remained to cushion her fall. She stared at her reflection, barely recognizing the person she’d become.
“Who am I without power?” Victoria whispered. A loud knock echoed through her empty mansion.Victoria opened the door to find Reginald.

“Victoria, it’s time to face consequences,” Reginald said, his voice firm.Victoria’s eyes widened as Reginald handed her a folder.
“What is this?” Victoria asked.”Your indictment,” Reginald replied. “You’ll face trial for your crimes.”Victoria’s world crumbled.

Emily was finally able to give her father a befitting burial after the whole battle has died down. She held herself so strong as she watched his casket being lowered 6feets down the earth. She tried consoling her mum who kept throwing herself around the place wailing. She couldn’t bear the loss, but it’s better she let the tears out.
“Emily, I’m so sorry for your loss.” To her greatest surprise, it was James.
” I couldn’t miss it, I had to come at least to pay my last respect” James said holding Emily.
“Thank you so much for coming, I didn’t know you would come ” She said, trying to force a smile as she hugs him passionately.
“I’ll miss him,” Emily replied.”But I’ll keep his legacy alive.”
“Emily, I know what I did cost you alot, and it’s fine if you choose not to accept me back but I’m truly sorry” He said, looking seep into her soul, searching if he could find at least a shadow remains of himself in her.
“I forgive you James and I’m ready to make things work” Emily said trying to hold her tears as she hugs him.
“Thank you so much Emily I promise to do right by you” He promised.

EPILOGUE

Years passed. Emily and James built a life filled with love and success. Victoria’s imprisonment served as a cautionary tale. Reginald found redemption, working to undo the damage. Emily’s brother’s memory lived on, a symbol of justice.

THE END!!!

Thank you for reading.

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