The week between Emma's testimony and the committee vote felt like waiting for a jury verdict on her entire life's work.
Media coverage was relentless. Cable news shows dissected every sentence of her testimony. Social media exploded with hashtags—#BelieveSurvivors trending alongside #SterlingScandal. Opinion pieces argued both sides, some calling Emma heroic, others questioning whether personal trauma qualified her to influence policy.
Emma tried to ignore it. Failed spectacularly.
"Stop reading the comments," Maya ordered, physically taking Emma's phone away during a foundation meeting. "Seriously. You're torturing yourself."
"I need to know what they're saying. What arguments they're making. So I can counter—"
"You can't counter everything. Some people will never be convinced. Stop trying to win over people determined to hate you." Maya's voice was firm. "Focus on what you can control. The foundation's work. Your family. Let the Senate vote however they're going to vote."
