Conspiracies

17. Dare me.

I remained serious, although inside I was smiling. The set had fallen silent. No one spoke or moved. Lene's face said it all. Her eyes were wide open, she hadn't blinked for a while, keeping her gaze fixed on me. In a second, the silence was violently broken. The public began to protest, shouting, stirring in their own seats, and arguing with each other. The chaos had begun.

"Silence! Silence, please! Shut up or we'll have to vacate the set!" Lena yelled. The public's anger and discontent subsided thanks to Lene's threats. In the end, everyone returned to take their seats and silence reigned again. I kept quiet in the big chair, waiting for the thousands of questions that the statement I had made would entail. 

But I didn't care, I was willing to do anything to do justice. 

"Alicia" Lene said, looking at me again, with a calm voice, "Is what you just said true about your husband?"

"Of course it is. I have to confess that it was hard for me to admit it, but when the people I trusted opened my eyes to really see the person that Lasse is, I knew that I had to do something. Many people have suffered because of him, including my son. What hurts me the most, Lene, is that he lied to me throughout our marriage, all that love, the memories, our lives together, are lies, everything was an illusion. Even though it hurts deep in my heart that my own husband, the person I've been in love with for years, was capable of doing such horrible things, I will not stop until justice is served."

 "It's really unbelievable, I think right now the world is literally shocked by your statement. You said before that you have proof, is that true?"

"Yes, it is. I have more than enough evidence for every crime he has committed and right now my team will be making it public." 

"Now what will happen? I mean between you two."

"We're going to get divorced."

Honestly, I hadn't thought about it, it came out on its own. As if it had been locked inside me for many years and wanted to get out as soon as it saw the opportunity. I guess divorcing Lasse was the right thing to do, but part of it made me sad because I didn't want to end our marriage. We have been very, very happy. But I guess this is the right thing to do, even if it means losing a part of your life.

"Pardon?" Lene managed to say.

The public stirred again, throwing their surprise and confusion into the air. They didn't really know what was going on at the time. I don't blame them, I didn't even know how this was going to end. I settled back in the chair and crossed my legs again, ready for the next question.

"Please everyone calm down! I won't repeat it more times!"The audience calmed down again and sat down. Most of the audience were Lasse voters, some even wearing an official campaign T-shirt. Some expressed their anger with a frown, others were disappointed with their eyes on the ground, and some even showed fear and nervousness about what might happen. I really don't know if they were afraid of what I might say more or what Lasse might have done. 

"So, are you going to get divorced?" Lene asked me, returning to the main topic. "I can't stand next to a murderer and a liar." I said in an icy tone. Lene kept the same look of surprise as before. She couldn't believe what was happening.

 "I think we all need a break. Let's go to advertising for a moment and then we'll be back." Lene suggested looking at the nearest camera.

"We are out!" someone yelled. 

Lene got up from the chair and came over to me. I could feel her nervousness from the trembling of the cards in her hand. She crouched down in front of me.

"If you don't want us to continue with this, you just have to say it, I understand that you're tired. Don't worry about the interview." 

I remember that Brita told me about Lene once. She said that although she is very strict, she always cared about others and tried to help them. Now I have realized that she was right. This interview was the glass staircase to reach the top of the press world for Lene, but even so, she has given more importance to how I feel than to her career.