For years I would have been terrified to say those words.
Tonight they felt liberating.
"I've heard enough."
I turned away.
Ready to walk back toward the stage.
Ready to leave the drama behind.
Ready to focus on the reason we were all here.
Unfortunately, Ethan wasn't ready to let it go.
"Elana."
I ignored him.
Then suddenly—
A hand grabbed my wrist.
The entire ballroom froze.
For a second I simply stared.
At Ethan's hand wrapped around my arm.
At the fingers digging into my skin.
Shock hit first.
Then anger.
Then something else.
Fear.
Not because I thought Ethan would hurt me.
Because of what the gesture represented.
The entitlement.
The assumption that he could stop me.
Control me.
Touch me whenever he wanted.
The reaction around us was immediate.
Gasps echoed
