just read.
This book contains mature themes, explicit language, and scenes of a sexual nature intended for adult audiences only. It is rated R and is not suitable for readers under the age of 18.
Trigger Warning:
This book also includes depictions o...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Onika Maraj Federal Bureau Headquarters
December 12
Tika Sumpter, my lawyer, is sitting across from me. She's beautiful, poised, and confident, the kind of woman who commands attention without even trying. Her dark skin practically glows under the fluorescent lights, and her voice is calm but firm as she lays out the plan.
I try to focus on what she's saying, but it's hard when Beyoncé-Detective Knowles-is sitting just a few feet away, acting like I don't even exist.
Tika spreads several files across the table, glancing at me with those knowing eyes, the kind that tell me she's seen cases like this before. But this doesn't feel like just another case to me.
This is my life.
And Beyoncé, who once made me feel safe, is sitting there like a stranger.
"Alright, Ms. Maraj," Tika begins, her tone professional but with an underlying warmth. "Here's the timeline for what's going to happen. We have the preliminary hearing scheduled in two weeks. At that hearing, the prosecution will present the charges against Tre. Detective Knowles has already provided us with a lot of crucial evidence-surveillance footage, witness statements, and physical evidence from the penthouse."
I glance over at Beyoncé-again, hoping for some kind of sign that she's still in this with me, but she's focused on the files in front of her.
Tika's voice pulls me back. "After the preliminary hearing, assuming the judge finds that there's enough evidence to move forward, we'll start preparing for trial. This process could take a few months, but during that time, we'll work on getting you ready to testify."
Testify. The word makes my stomach churn. I know it's coming, but I don't know if I'm ready. I glance at Beyoncé again, hoping she'll acknowledge me, give me some kind of comfort, but nothing.
She doesn't even blink. My heart aches.
"Tre's defense attorney is aggressive," Tika continues, her eyes locked on mine now, trying to reassure me. "They're going to try to discredit you, make it seem like you're exaggerating or that this is some kind of revenge. But we have the evidence on our side. Detective Knowles has been thorough in her investigation."
I nod, but my mind is a million miles away. Tika is saying all the right things, but none of it feels real because the person I need support from the most is sitting there like I'm not even in the room.
"We'll need you to testify in detail about what happened," Tika explains, her voice softening as she leans forward slightly. "You'll go over the timeline of the abuse, the injuries you sustained, and how it's affected your life. It won't be easy, but we'll prepare you for every step."
I swallow hard, my throat tight. I know I'm supposed to be strong, but how can I be strong when Beyoncé won't even look at me?
How am I supposed to stand up in court, face Tre, and tell the world what he did to me when the person I thought I could count on isn't even acknowledging me?
