I froze, unblinking.
I couldn't move.
I only focused on one thing.
Kova had been arrested.
Four
I held my stomach and bent over.
My heart pounded at the thought of Kova behind bars. The stupid machine behind me beeped erratically.
"Arrested for what?"
Dad was unfazed. "Rape."
"What?" My lips parted in shock. "But you just said you told the police you guys got into a scuffle. I don't understand."
"When the police asked what the fight was about, I told them he’d raped you and got you pregnant. Konstantin didn't fight it. He went with the police willingly."
Oh, God. I was going to be so sick.
The one thing I'd been concerned about was Kova getting arrested and the gymnastics committee finding out about us. If this got back to them… I shuddered. I didn't want to think about it.
My gaze flickered around the room aimlessly, overwhelmed by a million and one thoughts. I needed my phone, but I wasn't sure where it was. I needed Avery to do some digging for me, like arrest records. She was the only person I could trust.
"Kova didn't do anything." My voice was barely above a whisper. "You need to tell the police that, please."
He didn’t bother to grace me with a response. My jaw trembled from holding back the scream trying to erupt from my throat like fireworks.
"Is he still in jail?"
Please say no.
"It's where he belongs."
"But he didn't rape me!" I gritted the words out through my teeth.
There went my restraint.
I couldn't handle anymore. My pulse was skyrocketing; my shattered heart was on the verge of bursting from my chest any second. I was moments away from having a stroke, and the stupid machine wouldn’t shut the fuck up. This wasn't Kova's fault, and I wasn't a victim of anything. Nothing. For a fleeting moment I thought about airing the truth and telling Dad it was all me.
Screw it!
I leaned forward with fire in my veins ready to burn down the world.
"It was me. I went after him. I chased him. He didn't do anything I didn't want. It's not Kova's fault." Dad hardened to stone. He looked like he was going to explode. "None of this is his fault. I purposely enticed him until he couldn't say no, and I didn't give a shit that he had a girlfriend. That's the real truth."
"That's still no excuse. He's a grown man. He knew better."
"Just like you knew better with Sophia? Like Xavier knew better with Avery?"
"Adrianna Francesca!"
I bowed my head and closed my eyes. I didn't mean to drag others into it my mess.
"He had no right! He never should've let it happen. He was your coach, a teacher. He was a friend whom I trusted to watch over you. Not to manipulate you and get you pregnant." Dad stood and pushed the chair back. He glared down at me and pointed a shaking finger. "You'll never see him again."