As I spoke, I rolled up my sleeves and pant legs, revealing as much of my skin as I could. My voice trembled slightly, but I kept going, desperate to prove my innocence.
In my previous life, after that night at the hotel, I hadn't been able to recognize my own body. Hickeys and bruises bloomed across my skin like damning proof. Used condoms filled the trash can, each one allegedly carrying traces of my DNA. I had even started to question myself—had I really done it?
That thought had haunted me. Maybe someone drugged me, manipulated me... but even that didn't change the consequences. My reputation had still been destroyed.
But this time—it was different.
This time, I never set foot in that hotel. Even if there were videos, even if the surveillance footage claimed I was there, I hadn't gone anywhere. My body was clean. Unmarked. That, at least, I could cling to.
Sean stared at my exposed skin, his brow furrowing slightly. His eyes flicked over my arms, my calves—unblemished, pale, untouched.
But the people around us weren't so easily swayed.
Their gazes didn't soften. If anything, they became more vicious—smirking, scoffing.