It's Thursday, but still, there were no relief
Ayana spent the morning helping her mother prepare for the church's holiday outreach program, all while fielding passive-aggressive comments about loyalty, discretion, and the importance of supporting long-standing community members.
"People are talking," her mother said, arranging donation boxes with sharp precision. "Saying you've been spending quite a bit of time at the centre and that you're very... invested in Nelson's welfare."
"I volunteer there. Of course, I care about what happens."
"There's caring, and there's.. Hmmm." Her mother paused, choosing her words carefully. "Appearing too involved. You're a young, single woman, and He's an older, unmarried man. People make assumptions, my darling."
Ayana's heart hammered. "What kind of assumptions, mother?"
"The kind that damages reputations." Her mother's voice was sharp. "I'm just saying–be mindful of how things look for both your sakes."
Before Ayana could respond, Catherine burst through the door, breathless. "Have you seen the news?"
She held up her phone. The local news site's headline screamed:
GARRETT CASE TAKES UNEXPECTED TURN—NEW EVIDENCE SURFACES.
Ayana grabbed the phone and read quickly. Someone had leaked additional documents to the press–more bank records and emails showing Thomas Garrett discussing how to hide the embezzlement and also his communication with an accomplice. The evidence was damning irrefutable.
"Who leaked it?" her mother asked.
"Article doesn't say, but it's everywhere now. Facebook, Twitter, the church prayer chain." Catherine's eyes were wide."Mom, it's bad, really bad. Thomas Garrett's lawyer is demanding a criminal investigation into who accessed confidential files."
"Nelson," Ayana breathed. "They're going to blame Nelson For This."
She excused herself and then drove straight to the community centre despite knowing she shouldn't. She found Nelson in his office with Dr. Hayes and two lawyers are all looking grim.
"I didn't leak those documents," Nelson was saying, voice tight with frustration. "I gave everything to our legal team, and that's it.
I followed proper channels."
"Someone with access leaked them," one lawyer said. "The timing suggests revenge. Garrett's legal team will argue you released them to poison public opinion before trial."
"I didn't." Nelson's hands clenched. "I wouldn't. That's not—"
He spotted Ayana in the doorway. Their eyes met, and she saw the fear there. This was spiralling beyond his control.
Dr. Hayes noticed her. "Ayana, we're in the middle of—"
"I know. Sorry I just—" She looked at Nelson. "I saw the news, and I wanted to make sure you were okay."
"I'm fine," he lied. Then, to the lawyers: "Give us a moment Please."
They exchanged glances but left, closing the door. Nelson didn't move toward her it was visible through the office windows, but his expression cracked.
"Someone's trying to help me and making it worse," he said quietly. "Those documents were supposed to stay confidential until trial. Now, Garrett's team can claim misconduct, evidence tampering. They might get the whole case dismissed."
"Could Dr. Hayes have—"
"No. He knows better. So do the lawyers." Nelson's voice was strained. "Someone else accessed the files. Someone who thought they were protecting me but just gave Garrett ammunition."
Ayana's mind raced through possibilities. Who had access? Who would leak? Who stood to gain?
"Raven," she said suddenly.
"What?"
"Think about it, She has administrative access to centre files. She's been asking pointed questions about the case, and she's ambitious; if this scandal forces you out, the director position opens up."
Nelson stared at her. "You think she leaked documents to frame me? That's—"
"Exactly something she'd do." Ayana kept her voice low. "She's been suspicious about us too. What if this is her opening move? Discredit you professionally so that when our relationship comes out, no one believes you about anything?"
His face went pale. "That's... diabolical."
"Its strategy," Ayana glanced toward the window.
Raven stood near the coffee station, phone to her ear, expression satisfied. "And she looks pretty pleased with herself."
Nelson followed her gaze. Watched Raven, laughing at something the person on the phone said.
"If she did this," he said slowly, "we need proof. We Can't just accuse her without—"
"Leave that to me." Ayana's mind was already working. "I have an idea, but Nelson, we need to move up our timeline again. Tell my father tomorrow before Raven finds more ways to sabotage you."
"Tomorrow?" His voice cracked. "Ayana, that's—"
"Necessary. The longer we wait, the more ammunition she gathers. At least if we control when and how the truth comes out, we have a fighting chance."
He stared at her for a long moment. Then nodded, resolve hardening his features. "Okay, tomorrow, but we need a plan. Your father should hear it from us privately, not through rumours."
"Tomorrow night. During dinner, we ask him to meet us at your place. We tell him together."
"He'll feel ambushed."
"Better than feeling deceived." Ayana softened her voice. "Nelson, there's no good way to do this. We just have to do it."
He wanted to reach for her—she could see it in his eyes. But they were too visible, too watched. So instead, he just looked at her like she was courage incarnate.
"Tomorrow," he agreed. "God help us both."
---
That afternoon, Ayana executed her plan.
She found Raven in the volunteer office, working on scheduling. "Hey, can I ask you something? About the leaked documents?"
Raven's expression shuttered. "What about them?"
"Just wondering who you think did it. Some people think it was Dr. Hayes is trying to help Nelson. Others think maybe one of the lawyers got careless."
"Could be anyone with access." Raven's tone was carefully neutral. "These things happen in high-profile cases."
"True. Though I heard the leak came from someone using the centre's internal network. Which means it had to be staff." Ayana watched Raven's micro-expression—the slight tightening around her eyes. "Actually, IT can probably trace which computer was used The IP addresses and all that."
"I wouldn't know anything about that," Raven said quickly. I mean, too quickly.
"No, of course not. I'm sure whoever leaked them thought they were doing the right thing protecting kids by exposing the truth." Ayana kept her voice sympathetic. "Even if it technically violated confidentiality agreements and could jeopardize the whole case."
Raven stood abruptly. "I have work to do Excuse me."
She left, but not before Ayana caught the flash of panic in her eyes.
Got you.
Ayana immediately found Dr. Hayes pulled him aside. "Can IT trace which computer accessed those confidential files before they were leaked?"
"Probably Why?"
"Because I think Raven did it and if we can prove it, we can stop whatever else she's planning."
Dr. Hayes's expression darkened "You think she's sabotaging Nelson?"
"I think she wants his job and she's willing to destroy him to get it." Ayana met his eyes "Can you check? Quietly?"
"I'll make a call." He studied her face "You're protecting him"
"Someone has to"
"More than just professional concern" It wasn't a question.
Ayana took a breath "Dr. Hayes, there's something you should know. About Nelson and me Before you hear it from someone else."
"I already know," he said gently. "Have for weeks The way you look at each other—I'd have to be blind to miss it."
"Are you going to tell my father?"
"That's not my story to tell but Ayana—" His expression turned serious. "Be careful not everyone will understand and with everything else happening, the timing is—"
"Terrible; I know." She managed a smile. "But we're telling him tomorrow i'm getting ahead of it."
"Good that's smart." He squeezed her shoulder "For what it's worth—I think you're good for him. For the first time in twenty years, I've seen him actually living instead of just existing."
"Thank you, That means a lot."
"Now let's catch whoever's trying to destroy him then, you two can focus on surviving your father's reaction."
He walked away, and Ayana felt the weight settle heavier. Twenty-four hours until confession. Until her father learned the truth. Until everything changed.
She texted Nelson: IT is checking who leaked the files. We'll know soon.
His response: And tomorrow we tell Marcus. One crisis at a time.
Together, she typed back.
Together, he confirmed.
Ayana finished her shift, drove home, and prepared for the most difficult conversation of her life.
Tomorrow, the truth came out.