Michelle

Chapter Twenty: Moving Forward

(REVISED VERSION)

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KEVIN was rushed to the ICU! Michelle and Nathan were freaking out, hoping that he was going to make it. The doctor finally came out of the room and gave them the good news that Kevin was safe.

Michelle asked the doc if her brother was safe, and he gave her an assuring smile and said, "Your brother's safe, ma'am. Luckily, the bullet didn't go through his organs." Michelle was relieved and tears of joy came out of her tired eyes. She hugged Nathan so tight without saying anything.

Now that Kevin was safe, Michelle was furious about Zach's case. She was determined to make him rot in jail for the rest of his miserable life. Zach wouldn't get the chance to get out of that hellhole. Michelle was ready to do whatever it takes to bring justice to her brother.

As Nathan opened the door of his car, he turned to Michelle and asked, "Are you ready for this?"

She nodded with determination. "I can't wait to see that asshole pay for what he did to me."

"Me too," Nathan replied.

Michelle took his hand and they made their way toward the courthouse, flanked by police officers. As they settled into their seats, Michelle's nerves began to creep up on her.

She let out a heavy sigh as the door opened, and her eyes fell on the man who had destroyed her life. He was flanked by police officers and looked emotionless as he was led to the opposite side of the room. Then he looked at her and smiled as if all of this was just another day at the office.

Michelle looked away, focusing on the chair she would soon occupy.

They asked Nathan and their co-workers' questions, and then it was Michelle's turn. As she took her seat, her lawyer began to question her.

"You said that Mr. Zach here has had an obsession with you ever since you both were in college. Is that true?"

Michelle nodded. "He would give me gifts and show up wherever I was. He kept insisting it was just a coincidence, but I knew he was lying. Now, he's escalated to kidnapping me and shooting my brother."

The questions continued until Michelle was finished. Then they led Zach to the chair and began questioning him. As he spoke, Michelle couldn't help but ball her fists.

He looked at her innocently. "What can I say? I fell in love with her when we were in college."

Michelle's lawyer narrowed her eyes. "But you still kidnapped her. Is that how you treat someone you love?"

Zach's jaw clenched, and he replied, "Are you done asking me questions? You can arrest me now."

Michelle's anger boiled over. "Aren't you even a little bit afraid? You kidnapped me and shot my brother!"

Zach shook his head. "Why would I deny it? I loved her, so I kidnapped her. And if I ever escape, I'll kill every single one of you and take Michelle with me."

Michelle's heart raced as she watched him. She couldn't wait for him to be locked away for good.

It had been months since the trial had ended, and Michelle had won. But the memory of Zach's chilling threat still haunted her. She couldn't shake off the feeling that he meant every word he said.

It was a relief that Nathan was there for her during the most difficult times. He stayed by her side every step of the way, through the long nights of endless nightmares and the daily struggles of taking care of her brother in the hospital.

Their bond grew stronger during that time, and when her brother finally recovered, Michelle realized that she had fallen in love with Nathan. She didn't waste any time telling him how she felt, and they began a new chapter of their lives together.

They moved to a new country, far away from the horrors of their past. Michelle knew that the fear would always be there, but with Nathan by her side, she felt like she could face anything.

As they started their new life together, she felt a sense of hope and excitement for the future. Even though the memories of the trial still lingered, Michelle was determined to leave the past behind and move forward with Nathan by her side.

Michelle sat nervously in the green room, waiting for her turn to go on the TV show. Her palms were sweaty, and she couldn't help but fidget in her seat. It had been months since she had last talked about what had happened, and she didn't know if she was ready to relive those moments again.

As she was called to the stage, Michelle took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. The host greeted her warmly, and they began the interview. The questions were straightforward, but each one felt like a punch to her gut.

She spoke about how Zach had started stalking her when they were in college, how it had escalated over the years, and how it had culminated in the kidnapping and shooting of her brother. Michelle's voice trembled as she spoke, and tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

The host thanked her for sharing her story and asked her for any advice she could give to people who might be in similar situations. Michelle took a deep breath and looked directly into the camera.

"If someone is stalking you, don't be silent," she said, her voice firm. "I swear to God, if you let them do it and do nothing, it will only get worse. Obsession isn't just easy to deal with. Never give them the pleasure to take advantage of your weaknesses, because that only feeds their desire to possess you."

The audience applauded, and Michelle felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had done it. She shared her story and advised others who might be struggling. As she walked off the stage, she felt a weight lifted off her shoulders. She knew that what had happened to her would always be a part of her life, but now, she could move forward knowing that she had helped others.

Michelle was grateful for the opportunity to share her story on national television. She felt empowered to have spoken out against the stalker who had caused her so much pain and trauma. After the show, she received numerous messages of support from people who had also been through similar experiences.

Feeling a sense of responsibility to help others who had been victims of stalking and abuse, Michelle decided to join a women's club that focused on providing support and resources to those who had been through traumatic experiences like hers. She found solace in talking to other survivors and sharing her story with them.

Through the club, Michelle also learned more about the legal system and how to protect herself from future threats. She attended self-defense classes and even started volunteering at a local shelter for women who were escaping abusive relationships.

Michelle felt like she had found her calling. She was no longer just a victim, but a survivor who could help others in similar situations. She was finally able to put her past behind her and move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and hope.

THE END.

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Author's Note:

This is now the official end of this book. I had a great time revising and fixing some of the grammatical errors here. Looking back at my old way of writing, I can say that 3 years of disappearance were worth it. During those years, I've been studying languages. Right now, I know the basics of Japanese.

I can't abandon this book since it has a special place in my heart. I am planning to write the two other books in this series. If you are still reading this book, thank you so much for sticking by my side! It means a lot!

Your thoughts? Let me know in the comments.

Yours truly,
creepy_stalker199