Page 25 of Twisted Attraction

I could see he was trying. That he was genuinely trying to understand me and why I was being so goddamn stubborn.

But the sad truth of it was that he’d never understand, not even if I’d taken the time to sit down and write it out for him on paper.

Peter was more than just my lawyer. We’d gotten through law school together and aside from our professional relationship, we were friends, and I knew he would never intentionally do anything to hurt me. I understood he was angry with me but as my friend, I needed him to trust and have a little more faith in me. As my lawyer though, he still had a job to do, and I needed him to listen to me and do it.

“I’ve made my choice, Peter.”

He snorted and turned away, murmuring that I was making a horrible mistake.

“Then let me make it. Is that going to be a problem, or do I need to find someone else to represent me?”

Peter cocked his head back, looking genuinely appalled by my audacity. “You wouldn’t.”

“If you can’t emotionally separate yourself from the situation, then yes, I will.”

“Fine.” Peter blew out an enraged breath and shook his head at me. “Cue the emotional detachment.”

He turned back to his car long enough to retrieve his black briefcase, and then we were off, marching up each ankle-aching step until we made it through the doors and were in the correct courtroom.

Karl and his attorney Ben were already here standing and waiting, and an incredulous sigh slipped past Peter’s lips as he approached the podium and deposited his briefcase on top of it.

“All rise,” the bailiff shouted before I could ever plant my ass in a seat. “The court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Carter presiding.”

Judge Carter, an older woman with thinning white and brown hair and glasses hanging at the tip of her nose, entered the courtroom and claimed her rightful spot on the bench. She offered Peter and Ben a warm smile and then dove right on in asking about Karl’s charges. I told myself I wouldn’t look at him, but temptation got the best of me, and I ended up sparing a glance in Karl’s direction. I was glad I did, because from how torn and guilt-ridden he looked as he stared up at the judge, I knew in my heart that I was making the right choice.

I was married to this man for ten years. What Peter and everyone else failed to understand was that I was a walking audiobook when it came to Karl Greene and the things that would make him piss the bed at night—figuratively speaking, of course. Sure, we had arguments like all married couples did, but as I expressed numerous times, things had never gotten violent between us. I know it doesn’t condone what Karl did, but after tossing and turning all night thinking about it, I had a better understanding of why things escalated this far. Overall, Karl wasn’t a bad guy. I had memories with this man, beautiful memories I’d forever cherish despite all the pain and heartache he put me through recently. If I’d thought for one second that he’d ever lay a hand on me or purposely intended to cause me physical harm, I’d have never agreed to marry him.

This was his last chance, though.

Just because I wasn’t letting his ass rot in jail didn’t mean Karl was getting off Scot-Free. I was still filing for a restraining order.

“Charlotte, are you with us?”

I was so distracted by my thoughts that I hadn’t realized Judge Carter was speaking to me directly until I took in the shock staring back at me on Karl’s face.

“Yes, ma’am,” I agreed, clearing my throat as I met her pinched gaze. “That is correct. I would like to drop the assault charges against my ex-husband.”

“But yet you still want to pursue the restraining order?” she questioned with a slight head tilt.

I nodded. “That is correct, Your Honor.”

“Would you be offended if I asked why?”

I gave her the best smile I could muster. “Not at all, Your Honor. In fact, I’d be happy to explain it to you and my ex-husband, if I may?”

Surprisingly, Judge Carter agreed. “You are free to speak as you wish, Ms. Greene.”

“Thank you, Your Honor.”

I swallowed hard as I stared between Peter, Judge Carter, Ben, and Karl. What made it worse was when I’d turned around to steady my breathing, I found Chief, Detective Rhodes, and Hutch, posted beside the doors.

Great. What the fuck were they doing here?

“Ms. Greene?”

“It’s like this, Your Honor.” I spun on my heel and kept my face hard enough to cut through marble. “Karl Greene and I were married just over ten years. Not once in those ten years has he ever raised a hand to me, and I believe the only reason he gave in to those emotions is because not only is he still grieving the death of his mistress, but after over six months of separation, we just recently finalized our divorce. Karl wanted to reconcile but as he very well knows, I don’t condone cheating. I think his grief has driven him down a dark path and given that he’s just been temporarily suspended from duty, I no longer feel the need to press charges. I truly feel like he’s suffered enough.”

I broke eye contact with the judge and focused on Karl, struggling to level my breathing. It was hard fighting back the tears.

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