Page 324 of Bad for Me

He nods and gives me a small smile. “Ms. Sparks, I want to say something to you, and I’d like for you to listen. Are you willing to do that?”

The judge looks over at me with his glasses slipping down his nose. I nod to him, and he sits down on the paper he was holding.

“Your husband—sorry, your ex-husband now—is a powerful man. If you wish to continue this vendetta against him, you are going to be put through the wringer.” He sighs, and my lawyer squirms in his seat.

My ex-husband is sitting on the other side of the judge’s office door, probably looking smug. I’m sitting here with a black eye, handprints around my throat, and two broken ribs.

“Sir, I’m ready to go through the wringer. Look at me. I think I’m living proof of his anger.”

The judge looks at me and then nods. “Very well, Ms. Sparks. Let’s go ahead then.”

We walk out, and my lawyer guides me to where we are sitting. The judge looks at my ex-husband. “Mr. Carlysle, you are being charged with assault, attempted murder, and failure to comply with a restraining order.”

Fred’s smile falters, and his lawyer stands up. “Your Honor, my client would like to settle this out of the courtroom.”

“That is correct. However, Ms. Sparks wishes to go to trial.”

Fred breaks the pencil he is holding, and his lawyer whispers to him heatedly.

“Your Honor, may we approach the bench?”

The judge agrees, and my lawyer gets up. He tells me not to look at anyone and to keep quiet. That won’t be a problem.

Although we aren’t supposed to hear what they are saying, their voices echo through the room. “My client is willing to pay one million to his ex-wife if she drops all charges.”

My lawyer looks at me, and he smiles.

Does he seriously think I’ll take the bait?

He comes back to me and tells me the offer and the judge looks at me expectantly. No way in hell.

“Declined, Your Honor.”

He sighs heavily and rubs his eyes. “Very well. The court will see this case on January 4th. May you both find it in you to enjoy the holiday.”

He hits his gavel, and the guards escort him into the back hallway. I can finally breathe easily. I take a deep breath, trying to not wince as my ribs move. My lawyer looks at me and whispers.

“You should have dropped the charges.” That’s all my lawyer says as he gets up and then looks down at me. “Find another lawyer. I won’t be a part of this. I know we won the divorce, but you need someone with bigger balls than me.”

My lawyer isn’t the best. Hell, I can barely afford him. The idea of knowing I must find someone else in less than a month is insane.

I limp out of the courtroom, knowing I’m losing a battle that will probably take years to prove, but this is the last time the man will hit me. A police officer comes up and helps me down the stairs.

“Is there anything I can help you with?” He asks quietly, and I nearly jump away from him.

“No, thank you. I’m going to go find another lawyer.”

“I think what you are doing is the right thing. I know you may not trust a lot of us since, um, well, because Mr. Carlysle is the police commissioner and all…”

He trails off, and I touch his arm softly. Trying not to be afraid of another man. “It’s alright. I know you are trying to help. Please, tell me what you were trying to say.”

The police officer hands me a card. “This is my wife. She’s the best at her job and can help you. I’m not proud to be working for a man like that.”

Hope finally fills me as I look at the man standing in front of me. “Thank you. I mean that.” He smiles and helps me into my vehicle. Taking a small breath in, trying not to feel the pain as I start the engine, I feel the tears falling down my face.

* * *

My world has becomeshit since I refused to drop the charges against my ex. The audacity of my boss telling me I was a liability and could cause damage to their reputation if I didn’t let the legal matters go made me so angry. Well, angry isn’t the right word. Since I punched him in the nose and lost my job over his rudeness and my stubbornness, I guess now is the perfect time to do what the judge said to do. Enjoy the holiday in peace. Solitude is exactly what I need now.

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