Page 78 of Lillian

“No? Okay, how about an easy one? Who can tell me why a full conservatorship hearing was moved up an entire month when the initial suit was filed less than a week ago?”

More silence. Though now I’m holding back the world’s smuggest smile. The judge’s temper is about to work in our favor. Everyone here knows who is responsible for moving this up.

After a few more moments of silence, she huffs. “Well, let’s just get right into this thing then. I’ve looked over the lawsuit laid out by the plaintiff, and I won’t hear anything for a full conservatorship. There isn’t enough evidence here to suggest Miss Walton is incapable of handling her personal affairs. I will hear a case for limited conservatorship, though, as is the precedent set forth for these cases in Arizona.”

When my parents’ lawyer stands up to object, I take the piece of paper from my pocket, tap William on the shoulder, and hand it to him when he looks back at me. I was going to give it to him before we walked in, but there wasn’t enough time.

After he finishes glancing at it, he shoots me a grateful look, stands up, and addresses the judge who just finished overruling my parents’ objection.

“Your honor, I’d like to enter new evidence into the record regarding the incident that happened with my client a few weeks ago.”

Opposing counsel stands again, but the judge throws a hand up in his direction, staving him off.

“Why wasn’t this with the rest of the paperwork?” She raises her brows but allows him to walk up and hand it to her.

At that, I stand and answer, “It was just faxed to me this morning, your honor. As you said, this moved too fast for us to get everything together on time.”

She nods in agreement but asks, “And who are you?”

“I’m Becca’s brother, your honor. She’s set to move in with me now that she’s eighteen.”

“And that’s what you want?” The judge looks to Becca, who agrees. She reads the piece of paper in front of her and lets out a sarcastic laugh. “Would either of the Waltons like to tell me why I’m reading an affidavit signed by the nurse that was supposedly assaulted, saying she was paid to invent the encounter?” She looks directly at my parents and their counsel.

All three of them go rigid, and my dad looks back at me with a blank look on his face that has only ever meant violence was soon to follow.

“I don’t see anywhere on here that she admits to who paid her.” This question is directed toward me since I’m the one who produced the affidavit.

“She wouldn’t say, your honor. She would only confirm Becca did not do it. She’s been doing well with her mental health issues for a long time, and every other nurse at the facility believes she’s well enough to live with me or on her own at this point. So long as she keeps up with therapy.”

The judge sits back, folds her arms across her chest, and stares between all parties. That is, until Becca taps William onthe arm and whispers something in his ear. His frown at her words isn’t reassuring, but he nods back and stands.

“Something to add?” the judge asks.

“Yes, your honor. Now that you’ve ruled against a full conservatorship, my client has stated she’s willing to relinquish all rights to her trust fund. We ask that this case be dismissed.” He pauses, then adds, “She just wants her freedom back and to live with her brother.”

“You’d give up your trust?” A brow is raised toward my sister by the judge.

“Yes, your honor.”

The silence after that is long and deafening. All that can be heard is the tapping of the judge’s finger against the arm of her chair as she stares at my sister, contemplating something.

After several minutes of quiet, the judge speaks. “This case is being dismissed. No conservatorship is granted, and the defendant can access the trust as laid out by the terms in it.” Which is now since it says she must be eighteen to get access.

My parents’ lawyer stands quickly, outrage in his eyes. “Your honor, this is rid–” he starts to say, but she stands, cutting him off.

“Feel free to file your appeal in the morning counsel. I’ll look at it when I get back from my vacation.” With that, she walks out, back through the doors to her chambers.

When the doors slam shut, I stand and walk around the railing separating Becca from me, and wrap her in a hug so tight, she groans into my suit jacket. I pull away only after she pinches my side, both of us laughing.

With a smile on my face, I turn to William and shake his hand. From the corner of my eye, I watch the three stooges walk out of the courtroom in a rage.

“Well, isn’t that some luck?” William laughs, still staring at the doors the judge disappeared in. He’s not wrong. There couldnot have been a better circumstance than what just happened. My dad and mom’s attempt to give us so little time to prepare backfired in the most incredible, comical way. “Well, thanks for being my easy case. Congratulations, you two.” William grins at us and then walks out, leaving just Becca and I standing in the empty courtroom.

“Ready to go home, big brother?” She smiles up at me, and those words sound sweet as hell after everything.

But there’s one thing we have to do first.

We walk out of the room and split off. Becca goes to find her driver and grab her bag, stating she wants to drive home with me, and then I walk in the direction of the room where Lillian’s hearing should just be ending, too.

---