Page 37 of Unwrapping Ember

"Tell mewhat you've been holding inside for so long, Koda."

Taking a deep breath, I bury my face in her chest, listening to the rhythmic beating of her thumping heart. "Do you remember my girlfriend—the one our parents fucking despised?"

Her jaw tightens, and she nods, animosity evident in her expression. "Yeah, how could I forgether?"

"Well, she’s the reason I was kicked out and prohibited from seeing you."

Her eyes widen, and she scrunches her nose, waiting for clarity. "Why, though?"

Gritting my teeth, I meet her gaze, feeling sick at the thought of my confession. "She got angry that I was going to leave her, so she made up some bullshit lies against me, Ember." I look away in shame, but her hands cup my face, guiding my eyes back to her.

"What did she do?"

"She went to the police and claimed that I raped her." Her jaw drops, and her grip on my face tightens. "She was pregnant, but I had already planned to leave her and return home. She didn’t want that. She hurt herself to make it seem like I had assaulted her, and the police fell for it. I was arrested and spent five years in prison for something I didn’t do. Because of that, I can never see my child. I don’t even know if I had a son or a daughter."

Tears spill down both our cheeks, but I can’t decipher her thoughts. Does she see me as a monster? Has she been influenced by our parents' beliefs? I have her admission of guilt, but by the time she confessed, I had already served my sentence—with no recourse left for justice.

"That’s fucking awful! Why the fuck would she cry rape when so manyrealvictims are suffering?" Fury ignites within her, but she doesn’t turn it on me. She pulls me closer, wrapping her arms around me tightly.

"I don't know, Ember. I don’t fucking know."

"I’mso sorry, Koda," she whispers, her voice trembling with emotion. "I could never believe you would do something like that. I always knew that whatever you supposedly did, you were innocent."

A sigh of relief escapes me as I hold her, finally feeling the burden begin to lift. "Thank you, Ember," I whisper back. "I just needed you to know the truth."

She pulls back, fierce determination lighting her eyes. "I’m going to fucking find her and make her ass pay."

I chuckle at her spirit, grateful for her belief in me, but I remember the damage that has already been done. "That’s why I’m a male dancer. With a rape and assault charge on my record, finding a decent job is fucking impossible."

"Wait, so you'rereallya stripper?"

"Yes, my little Ember. The three of us are."

She smiles and winks, pulling my face toward hers, and then she kisses me—an unforgettable kiss that leaves me speechless. As she pulls away, her lips linger near mine, her eyes searching my eyes. "I love you, Koda."

"I love you too, Ember," I reply, feeling a weight lift off my chest as I finally profess my truth to her. "But we need to focus on our future now, not dwell on the past."

Ember nods, wiping her tears and offering me a reassuring smile. "You’re right, Koda. We’ll navigate this together, and I’ll stand by you every step of the way. But I refuse to let her get away with this, no matter how long ago it happened."

My heart swells with gratitude at her resolve, knowing that she’s willing to stand by me through the aftermath of my tumultuous past. There’s something undeniably powerful about her unwavering support—it's as if her love is a beacon, guiding me out of the darkness I’ve been trapped in for so long.

"But fuck, how do we even begin?" I ask, my voice trembling slightly. "It feels overwhelming to even think about confronting the fucking ghost of my past."

Ember leans back, her expression thoughtful as she runs her fingers through her hair. “We need to gather evidence. If she lied, there has to be something we can find to prove it. Maybe there are records or old messages that can help clear your name."

I nod slowly, the flare of hope igniting within me. “You’re right. I still have some old friends from that time. If anyone could remember what really happened, it’s them.”

Her eyes sparkle with determination, and I can see the gears turning in her mind. “Let’s start there. We can reach out to them together. Plus, I’ll help you craft a timeline of events. If we can show a pattern of manipulation on her part, we might just have a chance.”

“Together,” I echo, the two of us locked in this shared mission. I realize then how much her unwavering commitment anchors me. “What if it leads to more trouble, Ember? Do you really want to go down this road?”

She takes my hands in hers, her touch grounding me. “I can’t stand seeing you carry this awful weight. It’s affected every part of your life. If this is our chance to set things right, we have to take it, Koda. I won’t let fear dictate your future.”

Her words trickle through me like a soothing balm, and I pull her close. "You make things seem so much easier," I murmur against her hair, inhaling the comforting scent of her. "I'll follow you anywhere, as long as you stay by my side."

She looks up, seriousness etched in her features. “We need to be strategic. I want to be your partner in this—not just someone you lean on emotionally, but someone who actively fights for your justice.”

As I look into her eyes, I sense the fierce spirit that flares within her. It’s intoxicating and invigorating all at once—a force that propels me into action, albeit with a leap of vulnerability. “Then we have to be careful,” I say, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “I don’t want you caught in the crossfire.”