Chapter 17 - The Fallout

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We released the documents to every major news outlet. Every journalist. Every blogger. Every social media platform.

The world exploded.

Heads of state resigned. CEOs were arrested. Judges were impeached.

The Circle crumbled. Piece by piece. Name by name.

It was the biggest scandal in history.

And I was at the center of it.

The media called me a hero. A whistleblower. A brave woman who'd risked everything to expose the truth.

But I didn't feel like a hero.

I felt tired. Broken. Empty.

I just wanted to go home. Hold my son. Forget any of this ever happened.

But it wasn't over.

Victor was still in prison. Still alive. Still waiting.

And he wasn't done with me.

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The letter arrived three weeks after the story broke.

Maya,

You think you've won. But you haven't.

The Circle is bigger than you can imagine. Bigger than Dad. Bigger than me.

There are people out there who will never be exposed. People who will hunt you for the rest of your life.

You should have taken my offer. You should have given me the ledger.

Now you're going to pay.

I know where Leo goes to school. I know where he plays soccer. I know where he sleeps.

You can't protect him forever.

One day, I'll get out. And when I do...

—Victor

I read the letter. Then I called Sarah.

"Victor sent me a threat."

"Forward it to me. I'll handle it."

"He threatened Leo."

"He's in prison, Maya. He can't hurt you."

"You don't know him like I do."

"I know him well enough. He's a manipulator. He's trying to scare you."

"It's working."

"Then don't let it. You've been through worse. You've survived worse."

"Have I?"

She was quiet. Then: "You're stronger than you think. You've proven that. Now prove it again."

I hung up. Sat in the dark.

Thinking.

I'd survived Victor once. I could survive him again.

But could I survive losing Leo?

That was the question that kept me up at night.

That was the fear that never went away.

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