Chapter 12: The Public Apology

Adrian’s public statement was released two weeks later.
It was carefully worded by his crisis management team, but it still contained the admission we had demanded:
“I acknowledge that my actions toward Rosa were inappropriate and caused her harm. I take full responsibility for the pain I have caused and regret the decisions I made.”
It wasn’t a full, heartfelt apology. But it was enough.
The statement went viral within hours. People who had once respected Adrian now openly condemned him online. Several of his former colleagues and business associates publicly distanced themselves from him. His name became synonymous with workplace exploitation and abuse of power.
I didn’t celebrate.
I simply felt… tired.
That evening, Rosa came over to my apartment. We sat on the couch and watched the news coverage together. When the statement played, she didn’t look triumphant. She just looked relieved.
“It’s really over, isn’t it?” she asked quietly.
I nodded.
“It’s over.”
Rosa placed a hand on her belly.
“I keep thinking about what would have happened if you hadn’t walked in that day,” she said. “I don’t know if I would have had the strength to fight him alone.”
I reached over and gently squeezed her hand.
“You’re stronger than you think. But I’m glad I was there.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a while.
Then Rosa asked, “What about you? Are you okay?”
I thought about it.
“I think I’m getting there,” I said honestly. “It’s strange. I thought destroying Adrian would make me feel better. And in some ways, it has. But mostly, I just feel… ready to move on.”
May you like
Rosa smiled.
“You deserve that.”