Page 90 of Falling With a Spin

When was he called to the stand?

Turning to ask Kiley but stopping when I notice her clenching the papers in her hands until her knuckles turn white. Following her gaze, they are bouncing back and forth between the Judge and Anthony. I place my hand over hers and she jumps slightly, only noticeable to me.

“Are you okay?” Leaning over to whisper in her ear.

She nods her head, not saying a word, but I can see the anger in her eyes. The pure hatred that she holds for a reason, I don’t know.

I turn back towards the front after taking a glimpse behind me, Caleb sits next to Hunter. Taylor isn’t here today since she wasn’t able to miss two days' worth of school and work. I can’t ask her to drop everything and be here for a second day. It’s not her life being shown in front of everyone.

“Our relationship was really great for the first six months. After that, it became a little rocky.” He drops his head in his lap, shaking it.

“Can you describe what you mean by ‘rocky’?” Anthony questions.

Chad heaves a heavy sigh before continuing. “She would have these random outbursts and would accuse me of cheating.” He hangs his head low, putting on a show for everyone, but I see right through it.

“That must have been hard for you.” Anthony sympathizes with him.

“It was. Emma has trust problems since her parents-” What the actual fuck does he think he is saying.

“Your Honor, how is this relevant?” Kiley demands.

“Anthony, get on with what you are doing. Mrs. Beckett, please sit down and stop interrupting my courtroom.” The judge sits back in his chair, lacing his fingers together, and continues to watch my life burn before him.

“You may continue, Mr. Prescott.”

Chad clears his throat before continuing, “Since her parents are divorced. I knew our relationship was rocky, but I did everything to make her happy. You can see that didn’t work out.”

He looks over to me, and the pain in his eyes almost looks real, but that's how he gets you in. Shows you that he’s hurting, too, but then his teeth and claws come out right before tearing you apart.

“Can you tell us more about the relationship?”

“We wouldn’t do much really.” He shrugs. “We celebrated our first anniversary at a restaurant that I knew she was going to love. But not even five minutes in, she found something to argue about, causing a scene. I wanted to help her with the issues she had, even suggesting therapy at one point. Seeing someone you love so dearly destroy themselves in front of you kills you. But no matter what I did, she would cry, scream, or leave. It was getting too much for me to handle, and I had to walk out,” he looks right at me before speaking the next words, “to protect myself.”

Chad continues, showing everyone how innocent he can be, and it takes all my willpower not to jump and scream at him.

“Mrs. Beckett, it's your floor now. You may start your questioning.” The judge sighs and reaches for the water in front of him.

Once she starts, I attempt to black everything out. But as Anthony tries to throw her questions out, and Chad’s lies pour from him, it starts to break down my defense.

Kiley approaches Chad, pulling out the pictures and showing them to him, “Can you tell us what happened here?”

He squints as if he’s trying to remember, “She terrified me that day. I wasn’t sure what happened to her since she just came out of class and I saw all these bruises on her. But as time went on, I would remind her to be careful, but she wouldn’t listen.” The lie rolls right off his tongue, and that's when the first tear of the day falls down my face.

“That’s all I have,” Kiley says, walking back to our side. When she sits down, you can feel the anger radiating off from her as she throws the pictures down on the table.

“Is everything okay?” I whisper

“They have literally thought of everything. All my questions were overthrown or Chad would look like a puppy that just got kicked. Fucking assholes.” She seethes.

An ache starts to spread throughout my chest, and the hope that burns inside me begins to dwindle.

“Alright, everyone,” the judge slams his gavel down to grab our attention, “we will meet back in an hour to discuss the verdict.” Everyone stands as we wait for him to disappear behind the door.

We exit the courtroom, and Kiley suggests that we grab something to eat to pass the time. I can’t figure out if I want time to stay still and not know what the judge’s decision would be or if I want it to speed up in order for me to move on from this disaster. It’s like watching a fire burn before you as the embers destroy everything you ever knew.

“Emma?” Hunter's low voice brings me back, and I turn to him, blinking. “I asked if you had wanted anything specific to eat?”

The last time I ate was yesterday morning on our way here. I should eat, but the idea makes my stomach knot up and bile rise. I can’t think of anything except what the judge's verdict might be, and until we are back in that room, that's what will be plaguing my thoughts.

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