With Love, Étienne | ✓

Chapter Thirty-Three

"I WANT TO CALL MISS LOUELLA REY TO THE STAND PLEASE."

With trembling knees, she stumbled from her seat, looking back to shoot us a desperate glance -- one full of fear, pain and sorrow. Yet, we couldn't do anything but smile and try our bests to support her from our own chairs. This was the moment she feared the most, being slandered in front of her parents and audience. It was horrific for her to have to relive all of the countless torturous moments from her assaulter, and here she was about to be guilted for speaking up and finding the courage to try and seek justice for the wrongdoings done to her.

What kind of a society did we live in where those who spoke up; who were courageous enough to place themselves in front of the judgement of everyone, were slandered? Were picked on, and torn about by hungry wolves thirsting for power and money?

No meant no. I'm tired meant no. Stop meant no. Not now meant no. Silence meant no. We needed everyone to understand that anything other than yes meant no. It seemed people today didn't know what consent was, or when to draw the line. It simply wasn't enough to say they seemed 'into it,' or that 'they initiated it.' Yet, here we were, because Milo couldn't understand those simple statements. 

To be a victim wasn't only about the assault that took place, but it was also about the things that ended up getting swept under the rug in the process. The phrase boys will be boys was thrown around so easily these days, without a second thought being given about the implications of it.  It was society's way of using a seemingly innocuous phrase to remind us all that men and women were inherently different -- to reinforce the assumption that boys were wired to be a certain way, and therefore will be that way, no matter what. With boys will be boys came the assumptions that boys will not be girls and girls will not be boys.

"Miss Rey, you claim that Mister Harris sexually assaulted you on numerous occasions over the period of five months, is that correct?" James, Milo's lawyer started. 

"Yes," she said, her voice wavering, "That is correct."

"And in all of these alleged assaults, you never thought to report a single one. Why is that?" he asked with a feigned frown, "Why are you suddenly coming forward, an entire year after all of the alleged assaults have taken place?"

"I. . . I was scared," she whispered into the microphone, clearing her throat.

He quirked a brow, "Scared of what?"

"Scared that no-one would believe me," she smiled sadly and peered over at her parents, "Milo had been my best-friend for the better part of my life. Who would believe me if I said that he suddenly started raping me, multiple times, nearly every month?"

"And yet, you also never thought to go to a hospital," he shot back, "Is that not a bit unusual?"

"I already told you -- I was terrified. He was threatening me nearly every day, watching me, making sure I wasn't talking to anyone," she blinked back her tears, but her throat clogged up, "He would take my phone and check my messages to make sure I wasn't texting anyone behind his back."

"Again, that is complete speculation," he shrugged, "We can't be sure of that. For all we know, you could be making this entire story up."

"Why would I do that?" she jerked back.

"Why does anyone do anything in this world, Miss Rey?" he rhetorically asked, "Are you aware of how many false-rape allegations come out each year?"

"Objection! Relevance to the case, your Honour!" Laura called out, with a roll of her eyes.

The judge pursed her lips before nodding, "Sustained. Please keep questions relevant."

"Of course," James smiled and turned back to Louella.