Richmond POV
I stood beside Vanya, watching her transform right in front of my eyes. The timid, broken woman I had seen earlier was completely gone. In her place was a warrior, fierce and confident, standing up to her bullies with a strength that took my breath away. Every word she spoke made me more certain that she was the brave girl who had saved me fifteen years ago.
"I have never slept around for money," Vanya said, her voice ringing clear across the restaurant. "And I don't owe you any explanations about my life or my finances."
I felt a surge of pride watching her defend herself. This was the courage I remembered from high school, the same fearless spirit that had faced down four bullies to protect a stranger. She was magnificent.
Bernard's face was getting redder by the minute,
