Chapter 38: Chapter 38

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Author's Pov

A/N: I need to put in a short story so you guys might understand the chapter better.

Five years ago

Back In a small town called Willowbrook, the place where both Selena and Ryan had their first ever live interaction together, It was the place where Selena had first sighted Ryan and fell in love with him—so in love that she had actually helped him do something stupid and unforgivable.

They were both in their early youth, young and vibrant, and she fell deeply in love with him; it was almost like he was the only thing she wanted to hear about when she woke up or went back to bed.

Selena and Ryan met during their internship days, a secret neither of them ever shared so as to keep the other secret unexposed.

They were drawn to each other's company and quickly became inseparable. Their love grew stronger as they navigated life together, dreaming of a bright future and building a life full of happiness. Neither of them could have fathomed the troubles that awaited them.

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And after several years, one series of unsettling events led Selena and Ryan to be confronted with a past they had both buried, deciding to both separate and act like they didn't know each other.

It was revealed that several years ago, when they were still young and naive, they had unknowingly played a part in a child trafficking scheme. A child was taken from their biological parents and sold into a network that exploited innocent lives.

They both sat staring at the piece of paper placed on the table; the truth they both kept hidden for several years was now unraveled, by whom they both don't know. All they knew was that a court order had been filed against the both of them.

The weight of their actions began to settle in their hearts, and they realized the gravity of what they had unintentionally been a part of. Fearful and remorseful, they understood that they had to face the consequences of their actions and seek redemption.

With heavy hearts and a determination to make things right, Selena and Ryan vowed to cooperate and tried to use all their resources to prevent this from getting out to the public, as it would destroy both their relationships.

They sought legal counsel to guide them through the difficult process ahead. They connected with support groups that specialized in helping individuals who had been involved in human trafficking cases, hoping to find anything possible—any possible means or way out of this situation.

The journey towards redemption was not an easy one, and it wasn't the right root for them right now; they both had built so much that they couldn't let it go to waste.

Selena and Ryan faced numerous challenges when it happened, from the scrutiny of the community to the relentless self-doubt that haunted their every step.

However, they clung to each other, fighting and using their parents resources to find a way out of the situation, but now the beast was back hunting them.

"Who do you think did this?" Selena quickly turned to Ryan, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Ryan turned and glared at her.

"How should I know? Maybe you did this, hoping that you could finally get rid of me." He was yelling.

Selena looked at him like he had grown another head.

"Why would I even do that? I'm going to be exposed to it if this gets to the public, ain't I?" She asked furiously.

Ryan blew out a breath of frustration; he couldn't believe this was happening to him right at the moment he was supposed to get one of his most important awards.

Selena stood up, placing her hands around her. She was about to run for her life; surely this will destroy her modeling career if it comes out of the shadows.

Selena and Ryan worked tirelessly to rebuild the trust they had lost, not only within their community but also within themselves. They engaged in various rehabilitation programs, attended counseling sessions, and participated in community service. It was hell for them; she wasn't ready to go through that again, and this time it was going to be a whole nation filled with judgmental eyes and gossip.

After so many years, they both finally started to see glimmers of hope amidst the darkness. Their commitment and their dedication to their careers had changed a lot of things in their lives; it was almost like, with power, they could finally revolve the whole of Canada in their hands. After the incident, slowly but surely, some members of the community started to open their hearts and minds to the possibility of forgiveness.

The day of the court hearing was approaching without much planning put into action. Selena and Ryan stood before the judge, their heads held high. They knew how this world worked, so they slid a huge file across the table containing some information and a check.

The judge picked it up, clearing her throat a little, and removed the paper from the file, looking through it. Her eyes widen at the images in the envelope; she can't believe the amount of the jackpot she has won.

Clearing her throat, she looked at the both of them, nodding her head, but it was too late. The smirk on their faces proved that they both knew how desperate she was for the envelope.

"I will get straight to the point then." She said she was folding her arms across the table.

It Looks like we all know what we want here." The old judge continued.

"And that is?" Selena asked, leaning forward against the table.

"My mouth is close, and I'm sure so are yours." The woman stated this before picking up her property, nodding her head one last time at them, and taking her leave.

Though they would forever carry the pain and regret of their past actions, they had found a way to transform their tragedy into a force for good.