Page 96 of Finding Forgiveness
It was a struggle not to lose it, and when Logan coughed behind his fist and quickly diverted his head to the side, I’m pretty sure he was in the same boat as me.
The court case wraps up just after three. We’re going to trial, which I knew would be the outcome. Our evidence is extensive. Including notes from the doctor Cassandra went to see about getting on birth control and again for the pregnancy. She’d informed him on her initial visit about her first sexual encounter the day prior, which disputed Amanda’s accusation that we’d had sex while Cassandra was underage. She had nothing to back her claim. Hearsay or assumptions don’t stand up in court.
Cassie is a mess though. She’s trying to act unaffected but I can feel her hands shaking in mine as we exit the courthouse. Her mother glared at her the entire time she was on the stand, but my brave girl held her head high and did what needed to be done. I knew she was terrified about getting up there, but she aced it.
We’ve been staying with my parents since we arrived in Melbourne and will be here for the weekend.
Instead of heading to their place, I lead my fiancée to a bar down the street from the courthouse. She needs a glass of wine and a debrief before we face anyone. My parents mean well, but I know there will be questions when we get there.
“Where are we going?” Cassie asks. “The car is back that way.”
“I’m getting you something to drink.”
“I have water in my bag.”
“Something alcoholic.”
“Oh. I could go a glass of wine or twenty.”
I chuckle as I bring our conjoined hands to my mouth, placing a soft kiss on her knuckles. I hate that she has to go through this and relive her trauma, but she wants her mother to pay for her wrongdoings just as much as I do.“I want justice for our baby”were her exact words.
An hour later, I’m still sitting on my first beer, because I’m driving. Cass is on wine number three and starting to relax. I let her talk, getting it all off her chest, and only speak when required.
“I feel a little stronger after today. It was hard seeing her, and there is so much I want to say to that woman. Things I was too scared to voice back then. Maybe one day I’ll get that chance.” She reaches across the table and laces her fingers with mine. “You give me strength, Con. When I’m with you I feel invincible.”
The corners of my lips tug up, but I have nothing to do with this.It’s all her. This woman is a beacon of strength to have survived the things she did. If she wants to accredit that to me, then I’m not going to argue with her. As long as she knows she’s strong, that’s all that matters.
“How are you feeling?” I ask as we pull up outside my parents’ house.
Cassie turns her face towards me from the passenger seat and gives me a lazy smile. “Very chill. Those wines were exactly what I needed,” she says, reaching across the centre console to place her hand on my leg. “Thank you for being you.”
“You don’t need to thank me, Princess. I’ll always look after you.”
“I hope you know how much I love you, Connor.”
“I do,” I say with a smile. Not a day goes by that she doesn’t prove it with both her actions and words. Sometimes the most damaged love the hardest.
Once I exit the vehicle, I round the car to her side so I can open her door and help her out.
My hand is clutched in hers as we head down the path towards the house. As we’re climbing the stairs the front door flies open and my heavily pregnant sister waddles out.
“Jazzie!” Cassie shrieks, dropping my hand and opening her arms. “What are you doing here?”
“We flew down this morning. We wanted to be here for you when you got home from court.”
“Thank you.” Once she releases my sister, she steps back. “Are you staying for the weekend?”
“Yes. Have you been drinking? You smell like alcohol.”
“Rude much. I had a couple of wines; I had a shitty day. Sue me.”
“It wasn’t an insult.”
Cass’s hands move to her hips. “You accused me of smelling like a brewery, Jacinta Bradley.”
“I did not. And as I said, I wasn’t trying to insult you. If anything, I’m jealous.”
She rubs her expanding stomach, and Cassie reaches out to do the same. “I can’t believe how big you’ve gotten.”
