Page 69 of Say You're Mine

The courtroom feels suffocating, the weight of expectation and judgment pressing down on me from all sides. I shift uncomfortably in my seat, the once well-fitted dress now straining against my heavily pregnant belly. I've lost weight, the stress and fear of the past weeks carving hollow shadows beneath my cheekbones.

Judge Harrington's gaze is sharp, assessing, as she takes in my appearance. "Mrs. Deveaux," she begins, her tone clipped. "I must say, I'm concerned by what I see. When I placed you in your mother-in-law's care, I expected an improvement in your condition. This is... disheartening."

I open my mouth to respond, to explain the living nightmare of Elaine's "care," but Dante beats me to it. "With all due respect, Your Honor," he says, rising smoothly to his feet. "The deterioration in Cara's health is through no fault of her own. The environment she's been subjected to is hardly conducive to a healthy pregnancy."

Judge Harrington's brow furrows. "And what environment would that be, Mr. Corleone?"

Dante spreads his hands, a picture of calm reason. "One of constant surveillance, isolation, and psychological manipulation. My wife and I have been deeply concerned for Cara's well-being."

Elaine scoffs, her perfectly painted lips twisting into a sneer. "Unfounded accusations," she dismisses. "I've provided nothing but the best care for Cara and the baby."

But Dante is undeterred. "With all due respect, Mrs. Deveaux, your definition of 'care' seems to differ greatly from mine. In my experience, care is about more than material provision. It's about emotional support, respect for autonomy. It's about creating an environment where a person can thrive."

He turns back to the judge, his expression earnest. "Your Honor, I'm a man who supports the arts. It's how I met my wife, who has dedicated her life to charity and education. We believe in nurturing potential, in protecting the vulnerable. And right now, I see a vulnerable young woman who needs our protection."

Judge Harrington shifts in her seat, looking vaguely uncomfortable. Dante's lips quirk, just slightly. "In fact, if I recall correctly, I supported your appointment to the bench. Played a small part in the vote. I trusted in your judgment then, your ability to see beyond surface appearances to the heart of a matter. I hope that trust was not misplaced."

A heavy silence falls over the courtroom. I hardly dare to breathe, my heart pounding against my ribs like a caged bird. This is it. The moment of truth.

Finally, Judge Harrington clears her throat. "In light of these... concerns, I am reversing my earlier decision. Mrs. Deveaux, while I commend your commitment to your grandchild's well-being, I cannot in good conscience allow this arrangement to continue."

Elaine's face turns an alarming shade of purple, but the judge silences her with a look. "Ms. Briers will return to her own home, effective immediately. And I will be ordering a full investigation into the claims made here today."

Relief crashes over me, so intense it leaves me light-headed. Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, but I blink them back. Not here. Not now.

As the gavel falls, as the courtroom erupts into a buzz of activity, Dante leans close. "It's not over yet," he murmurs. "We need to stay on guard. But this... this is a victory, Cara. One step closer to getting you and June back where you belong."

I nod, not trusting myself to speak past the lump in my throat. One step closer. But how many more to go?

The next few days pass in a blur of settling back into my old life, of relearning how to breathe without the constant weight of Elaine's presence. It's not easy. I jump at every shadow, every unexpected sound, half-expecting her to materialize and drag me back to that gilded prison.

But slowly, surely, I begin to find my footing again.

"You're doing great," Natalie assures me, her hand gentle on my belly. "Baby's heartbeat is strong, growth is right on track. I know it's been hell, but you're coming out the other side."

I manage a wobbly smile. "And June? Any update?"

Natalie's expression softens. "Judith's wedding is the key. He's told her he won't miss it for anything. That's our window."

I take a deep breath, the flutters in my stomach a strange mix of nerves and anticipation. The wedding. The day I've been simultaneously dreading and longing for.

The plan is both simple and daring. Judith and her "fiancé," a friend of Dante's who's agreed to play the part, will exchange vows in front of a carefully curated guest list – Elaine and her circle in the front row. Meanwhile, June will slip in through the back, disguised as part of the catering staff.

"The hard part will be keeping him away from you," Natalie says wryly. "Once he lays eyes on you... I'm not sure even Dante could hold him back."

A thrill runs through me at the thought of seeing June again, of feeling his arms around me. But it's tempered by fear. What if the plan goes wrong? What if Elaine figures it out?

No. I can't think like that. We've come too far to let doubt creep in now.

As the day of the wedding dawns, I'm a bundle of nerves. The dress Judith picked for me, a flowing empire-waist gown in soft lavender, does little to disguise my condition. But for once, I don't care. Let them stare. Let them whisper. I've never been prouder of the life growing inside me.

The ceremony is a blur of music and murmured vows, my eyes constantly straying to the back of the room. But there's no sign of June. No familiar shock of dark hair, no piercing eyes meeting mine across the crowd.

As the officiant pronounces Judith and her "husband" wed, as the room erupts in polite applause, I feel my heart sinking. Something's wrong. He should be here by now.

And then I see it. A flicker of movement in the shadows, a silhouette that makes my pulse leap.

June.

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