Finding Us (Christian Interracial Romance)

The Voice That Matters the Most

Cecilia

Misty's apartment smells like fresh coffee and cinnamon the second I step inside. She greets me with that wide smile of hers and pulls me into one of her signature hugs—the kind that makes you feel like you're back in middle school sleepovers, whispering secrets under a blanket fort.

"Girl," she says, squeezing tighter, "you killed it on Stella and Reagan's podcast."

I laugh nervously, clutching my bag against my chest. "You think so? I've been kind of replaying everything I said, wondering if I went too far."

"Too far?" Misty scoffs, shutting the door behind me. "Cecilia, you spoke the truth. That's never too far. You spoke your story. Do you know how many people are watching those clips right now?"

Her fiancé, James, leans against the kitchen counter, mug in hand. "She's right. It's all over my feed, Cece. Twitter, TikTok, you name it. People are quoting you like gospel."

My cheeks burn. "That's... surreal."

We settle onto the couch, Misty handing me a blanket even though it's not cold. She's always been protective, more like an older sister than a cousin. The truth is, if it wasn't for Misty, I might not even be sitting here. She was the one who dragged me—literally, crying and shaking—into my first treatment appointment for my eating disorder. She held my hand while I admitted I needed help. She's the one who reminded me God wasn't disappointed in me, that His grace covered even the darkest nights.

"Do you realize what you've done?" She says now, tucking her legs under her. "You've taken back your power, Ceci. That podcast wasn't just about Damien. It was about you finally saying, 'I'm not broken. I'm still here.'"

I bite my lip to keep from crying. "You always know what to say."

James clears his throat, holding up his phone. "Okay, but you two need to see this. YouTube is blowing up."

He connects his phone to the TV and within seconds, thumbnails of reaction videos line the screen. Titles scream back at us: 'Cecilia Evans Exposes Damien O'Brien!' ... 'Voices In the Skyline Cast Speaks Out' ... 'Why Cecilia's Podcast is a Turning Point in Hollywood.'

Misty grabs the remote and clicks one. A young woman with neon pink hair leans toward the camera, wide-eyed. "Okay, y'all, I just watched both parts of Stella and Reagan's podcast with their cousin Cecilia Evans and... wow. Just wow. The bravery it takes to speak up about Damien O'Brien? Insane. And the way she defended Jeremy Miller? Queen behavior."

Misty gasps dramatically and nudges me. "Queen behavior! They said it!"

I laugh despite myself, hiding my face in the blanket.

But then James scrolls to another video. This one isn't a fan—it's a familiar face. Madison.

I sit up straighter.

Madison's sitting in her living room, her guitar propped behind her. "Hi, guys," she begins, voice trembling. "I don't usually make videos like this, but after watching Cecilia's podcast, I can't stay silent anymore. Damien O'Brien... he hurt us. All of us."

My heart lurches.

She continues, "On Voices in the Skyline, he mocked me for my Vietnamese American heritage. Told me Connie Song would never 'make it' unless I sounded more American. I was nineteen. I cried myself to sleep so many nights. And Cecilia? She was the one who told me my voice mattered."

Tears sting my eyes.

Misty mutes the TV just long enough to whisper, "Oh, Ceci..."

James un-mutes it as Madison takes a shaky breath. "I owe Cecilia my courage. She spoke life into me when Damien tried to crush it out. She's a light. And I stand with her."