Zuria
The silence in the restaurant was deafening.
I stood rooted to the ground, my hand tightening around the edge of my shirt to stop it from shaking. No one had stepped forward. Not a single soul. Not even the ones who had whispered behind Mr. Connor's back, swearing that one day he'd get what he deserved. They'd all stayed quiet.
Danny, who had walked into this place with fire in his eyes and determination in every step, faltered. His brows drew together. His lips parted in disbelief. I turned to him slowly, and he looked back at me—confused, betrayed.
Even Mr. Samuels' face was starting to shift, hardening in suspicion. From his expression alone, you'd think we were the liars.
No. This wasn't how this was supposed to go.
My heart thundered in my chest. My pulse echoed in my ears as fear clawed its way up my throat. Were we really going to lose this? After everything?
Danny stepped forward.
"Are you serious right now?" His voice cracked like a whip through the restaurant, startling everyone. His eyes swept over our former coworkers, the ones who used to share jokes and stories behind the counter, the ones who knew the truth and now stood with downcast eyes and zipped lips.
"After everything this freak has done—after all the times we talked about how we wished someone would stop him—you're still siding with him because you want to keep your jobs?" His tone was raw, a mixture of frustration and heartbreak.
No one spoke.
Danny took another step toward them. Some shifted uncomfortably, turning their faces away.
"We went through hell together, and now, when it's time to finally hold him accountable, you all abandon ship?" His voice cracked. "We trusted you. I trusted you."
My throat burned. I stepped forward, gently taking Danny's hand. He looked down at me, his shoulders still tense, his eyes brimming with the sting of betrayal.
"It's okay," I whispered. "We'll figure it out."
But the truth was, I wasn't sure anymore. Every second that passed in silence felt like a nail being hammered into our coffin. I looked over at Mr. Connor, who stood smirking like a man who had already won.
He knew. He'd counted on this. Their fear. Their silence. Their need for a paycheck.
I let go of Danny's hand and turned toward the group.
"I'm not going to beg anyone to speak up," I said, my voice louder than I expected. "But I want you to think about something."
I looked at each of them, one by one, my gaze pausing on the ones I thought had more decency than this.
"What would you do if it were your sister? Your daughter? Your friend standing here in my place? Would you want the people around her to stay silent like you are now? Would you still look the other way?"
My throat tightened, but I blinked back the tears burning behind my eyes. I wouldn't let them fall. I couldn't.
"You may think your silence is keeping you safe," I continued, voice steady. "But it's enabling him. It's letting him do this to the next girl. And the one after that."
There was a long pause. Tension crackled in the air like a summer storm. But still, no one moved.
Mr. Samuels sighed and adjusted his glasses.
"I'm going to give you all one last chance," he said, scanning the room. "If no one has anything to say, then I'll assume the accusations against Mr. Connor were fabricated."
I held my breath.
Silence.
Mr. Samuels shook his head. "Well then. Danny, I'm sorry, but without corroboration, I have to assume these claims are unfounded. I won't involve the police, but I'll consider this a case of two young people... getting carried away."
My heart plummeted. I dropped my gaze to the floor.
Mr. Connor grinned, all smug satisfaction. "I'm truly sorry, Mr. Samuels, for the trouble these two have caused. That's why I had to fire them."
He gestured toward the door, beginning to lead Mr. Samuels out.
My feet felt glued to the ground. I couldn't let this be it. I couldn't let him win.
"Wait!" a voice rang out.
Everyone stopped.
The voice came again, stronger this time. "Wait. I have something to say."
I turned. So did everyone else. The crowd parted slightly, and out stepped a woman I hadn't expected to see—one of the older waitresses, the same one who had stayed with me the day I fainted. The same woman who had told Danny I might be pregnant.
My breath caught.
She cleared her throat, then looked at Danny and me.
"I'm sorry for not stepping forward earlier," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I was scared. We've all been scared of what Mr. Connor would do. But enough is enough."
Hope flickered in my chest like a flame trying to catch.
"Everything they said is true," she continued. "Mr. Connor has been doing this for years. Zuria isn't the first girl he's targeted—just the most recent. He's harassed every young woman who's worked here. That's why there aren't any anymore. They all quit. Or he found ways to fire them."
Danny exhaled sharply beside me. My hand found his again, and he squeezed it tightly.
Another voice piped up. "She's right."
Then another. "Me too. I knew what he was doing. I just didn't know how to stop him."
Hands began to raise. One after another. A ripple of truth spreading through the crowd.
Mr. Samuels turned back into the restaurant, visibly stunned. "So, you're all confirming the accusations made by Danny and Zuria?"
"Yes," they chorused.
I turned toward Mr. Connor just in time to see the panic set in. His face turned ghostly pale. He glanced toward the door.
He tried to bolt.
But Danny was faster.
With a quick motion, he caught him by the collar and yanked him back inside. Mr. Connor stumbled and fell, landing on the floor with a thud.
Mr. Samuels walked over to him slowly, shaking his head.
"Mr. Connor, you're fired. Effective immediately," he said coldly. "And I've already called the police. They're on their way."
"You disappoint me," he continued, voice laced with quiet rage. "I trusted you. Gave you full control of this restaurant. You used that trust to prey on your staff and steal from this business. I'll make sure you repay every dime you've taken."
Tears flooded my eyes. I turned to Danny and hugged him tightly. I couldn't hold them back anymore. They streamed freely down my face as I buried myself in his arms.
We'd done it.
For once—finally—something had gone right.
Mr. Samuels turned back toward us.
"As for you two," he said, "once I've finished dealing with the police, I'd like to speak with you. You've both shown courage today."
We nodded, still breathless.
Just then, sirens blared outside. Blue and red lights flashed through the restaurant windows. Moments later, uniformed officers stepped inside.
One approached Mr. Samuels. "Good morning, sir. We received your call. How can we assist?"
"This man," Mr. Samuels said, pointing to Mr. Connor, "has been managing this restaurant for over five years. He's been stealing funds, underpaying staff, and harassing multiple employees—especially young women."
The officer's face darkened. He turned to Mr. Connor, who was still on the floor.
"Sir, we're inviting you for questioning at the station. You'd be wise to come peacefully."
Mr. Connor didn't speak. He didn't even argue. He looked too stunned to move.
"Do we have witnesses?" the officer asked.
Danny stepped forward. "Yes, sir. Zuria and I made the initial report."
"Alright. We'll need you both to come with us for a statement. It shouldn't take long."
I nodded, still stunned.
Mr. Samuels placed a hand on my shoulder. "I'll be right behind you."
Officers handcuffed Mr. Connor and guided him out the door. Another motioned for Danny and me to follow.
We walked out into the morning sun and slipped into the back of the police car.
Danny reached for my hand. "We did it."
I looked at him, my chest swelling with something that felt an awful lot like relief.
"Thank you," I whispered.
And I meant every word.