Page 19 of Hooked on Mack
“Your witness, Ms. Montgomery,” the judge said, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Thank you, Your Honor,” I replied, forcing a smile. As I approached the witness stand, I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
“Can you please state your name for the record?” I asked, my voice wavering slightly.
“Maria Reynolds,” she answered, her voice shaking as well.
“Ms. Reynolds, can you please explain your relationship with Mr. Kennsington?” I continued, my mind racing as I tried to focus on the task at hand.
“Um,” she hesitated, clearly unnerved by our earlier argument. “I was… involved.”
“Involved how?” I pressed, my heart in my throat as the tension mounted.
“Objection! Leading the witness!” Mack barked, his voice strained.
“Overruled. The witness may answer.”
“We had an affair,” Maria finally admitted, tears filling her eyes.
“Thank you, Ms. Reynolds,” I said quietly, feeling the weight of her confession settle heavily on my shoulders. As I walked back to my seat, I could feel the storm inside me growing stronger, threatening to tear apart everything I'd worked so hard to build.
“Your witness, Mr. Harrington,” the judge announced, and I braced myself for the worst.
“Ms. Reynolds, isn't it true that you have a history of dishonesty?” Mack asked, his voice tight. It was clear he didn't want to attack her character, but he had no choice.
“Objection! Character assassination!”
“Overruled. Continue, Mr. Harrington.”
As Mack continued questioning Maria, I couldn't help but think about the future, both of our case and our relationship. If things continued down this path, what would be left when the dust settled?
“Ms. Montgomery,” the judge's voice interrupted my thoughts. “Do you have any further questions for the witness?”
“No, Your Honor,” I replied, swallowing hard.
“Very well. You may step down, Ms. Reynolds.”
“I will be taking everything into consideration and will give my ruling tomorrow. Court is adjourned.”
As the courtroom began to empty, I stood frozen in place, my mind racing. The unresolved conflict between Mack and me feltlike an unbearable weight, and the storm inside me threatened to break loose at any moment.
“God, I hate cheaters.” The hypocrisy of it all didn't escape me, given that Mark was the very man I was trying to protect. But then again, a lawyer can't always choose their clients.
“Ms. Montgomery, wait!” an intern called after me, struggling to keep up with my long strides.
“Handle it,” I barked over my shoulder. “I've got things to do.”
As if on cue, the lobby erupted into chaos. A crowd gathered near the entrance, their curiosity piqued by the spectacle unfolding before them. Security guards were scrambling to break up a scuffle between none other than Mark and a woman who could only be described as his mistress.
Who does he think he is? This isn't some trashy reality show!
“Mark!” I yelled, fighting my way through the horde of onlookers. “What do you think you're doing?”
“Stay out of this, Larissa! This doesn't concern you!”
“Are you kidding me?” My voice cracked. “I'm trying to save you, and you're out here brawling with your mistress like a caveman! Get it together!”
Ugh, men are such idiots!
