As paramedics lifted me onto the stretcher, Ethan walked beside me.
He held my hand tightly.
—I’m here.
I managed a weak smile.
—I knew you would be.
He glanced at my stomach.
—You’re both going to be okay.
Three months later.
The trial didn’t take long.
Nicole’s video became the key evidence.
Ryan was sentenced to several years in prison.
Derek as well.
Heather faced charges for encouraging the violence.
Nicole vanished from social media.
I gave birth to a baby girl.
I named her Lily.
One afternoon in the hospital, Ethan held her in his arms, smiling softly.
“You know something?” he said.
—What?
—That message you sent me…
—Yeah?
—It’s the most important one I’ve ever received.
I looked at my daughter.
She slept peacefully, safe.
And for the first time, I understood something no one had ever told me before:
Sometimes you don’t have to be strong to save yourself.
Sometimes…
you just need to send one message.
