6. 700 PM
SIX
7:00 PM
THE RALLY
T he community center is packed full of people from both sides of the campaign—the current mayor’s office and mine. Everyone’s wearing badges showing their respective allegiances.
This is it. The moment I’ve been working toward since I was a little girl. I’ve always wanted to make a difference. If I win tonight, I can. The long hours, the constant effort, and the sacrifices I’ve made will all be worth something.
Beth intercepts me as I walk toward the stage to deliver my final speech. She looks me up and down, making sure my suit isn’t wrinkled, my hair is neat, and I’m not visibly shaking.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
I nod, even though my stomach’s doing somersaults as a result of all the stresses of the day. There’s a constant chatter in my head about what is the right thing to do.
“I’m fine,” I reassure her.
If I say it enough times, I will be.
My mantra, and all that shit.
Beth’s gaze lingers on me for a moment longer.
“Do you want to talk about what happened with Lincoln Caldwell in your office?” she asks, an eyebrow raised. “You two seemed to have been…” she coughs, “conversing. Intensely.”
“He brought me the evidence we need,” I respond. I know that’s not what she’s asking about. There could have been no doubting what happened between Lincoln and me in my office. Even I was aware that the scent of passion filled the air. “He handed it to me on a silver platter.”
“I think you know that isn’t what I was talking about. Be careful, Sophia. Trust your instincts. Don’t waste all your hard work.” Beth folds her arms across her chest. “Are you going to use the information?”
I hesitate, my eyes flicking to the stage. “I think I’m going to have to. It’s the only way to win.”
“Sophia, remember why you started this campaign in the first place. It wasn’t just to take down Weston. You’ve always said you wanted to rebuild this city and make real, tangible changes—better schools, better infrastructure, and accountable leadership.” Her voice gentles, and her eyes become softer as she delivers the encouragement I need. “That’s what people believe in when they look at you.”
She’s right. I want to talk about what I’m going to do for this city.
But I can only achieve it if I win.
There is so much doubt within me at the moment. It’s been a long day, and I need to figure out what’s right and wrong. I know I need to be me, but I’m not sure who that is anymore. Lincoln Caldwell has clouded my judgment.
Or has he?
Maybe he’s helped me find the real Sophia Tucker and made me a worthy adversary.
Beth squeezes my arm. “Go out there and tell them the truth about what you stand for.”
I draw in a deep breath, nodding. “Thank you,” I whisper, and I mean it with all my heart.
As I step onto the stage, the spotlights are blinding, but I can feel the energy in the room. It’s all focused on me and what I’m about to say. People want to believe in me. They want me to give them an honest alternative.
I grip the microphone.
“Corruption is rife….” I begin, and a hushed silence descends on the room.
Lincoln stands next to Mayor Weston at one side of the stage, his brows furrowed together.
I pause, and shaking my head, I make my choice.
“This city deserves leaders who put people, not profits, first. Together we can take the first step toward a brighter future, but not by dragging the other side down. Instead, I want to talk to you about what real leadership looks like. Leadership means prioritizing everyday families,” I say. “It means restoring trust in government by being transparent, ethical, and accountable. It means ensuring our kids can go to well-funded schools, our roads are safe, our neighborhoods are clean, and our environment is protected for generations to come.”
I take another breath, submitting to the passion I feel for what I want to achieve to ensure a better future.
“ If elected, I plan to expand educational programs by increasing funding for public schools, I intend to invest in after-school tutoring, and I will partner with local businesses to encourage vocational training. I aim to revitalize the city’s infrastructure by repairing roads, bridges, and water systems, and I will implement green building initiatives for sustainability. I will support small businesses by streamlining the permit process, offering tax incentives for startups, and creating a local business incubator. We need to champion environmental stewardship by protecting green spaces, pushing for renewable energy incentives, and holding polluters accountable. Finally, we must enhance public safety and healthcare by funding community policing initiatives, improving mental health services, and ensuring affordable healthcare options are accessible to all.”
Roars of cheers and applause from the gathered crowd break out. I see hope in the faces of the people in front of me. From the corner of my eye, I catch a glimpse of Lincoln. He’s watching me intently, and there’s a massive smile on his face as he gives me a subtle nod of approval.
I didn’t use the evidence he gave me, and I stuck to my principles. I realize now that was all part of his game plan. He was testing my resolve.
“The time for complacency is over. This is our city. Together, we can shape it into the kind of place where every person has an equal opportunity to thrive.” As I wrap up my speech, the crowd erupts in a standing ovation.
A hush falls after a few minutes when a moderator from the community center steps up to the microphone. “The vote is officially open.”
In that moment, as I step away from the podium,I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I feel freer than I have in weeks. No matter what happens next, I know I’ve done the right thing. And for now, that’s enough. I didn’t come here to tear someone else down. I came here to build something better. There is a chance I might just get to do that.
Scanning the room as people file out to vote, my eyes land on Lincoln again. He catches my gaze before disappearing into the throng of voters. Maybe he isn’t as much of an asshole as I thought.