Page 198 of Knot Baked Out For This
"They're not threatened by my success. They don't need to make me small to feel big. They want me to grow, to thrive, to rise like a phoenix from the ashes of the past life I left behind."
Rowan's arm slides around my waist, solid and supporting.
"I left you behind, Korrin. And I'm proud to finally be free."
"This is ridiculous—" Korrin takes a step toward me, and suddenly, there are police officers in the room.
When did they get here?
"Mr. Korrin Voss," one of them says, official and final, "you're under arrest for stalking, harassment, attempted arson, and conspiracy to commit fraud."
The courtroom explodes again.
Korrin's being cuffed, his face cycling through shock, rage, disbelief.
As the officers lead him past our table, he stops, tries to turn toward me, but Rowan steps between us, a wall of protective Alpha that makes Korrin's attempts at intimidation look pathetic.
Luca leans forward, voice low but carrying.
"Enjoy the chill jail cell floors and the disgusting food. Guess you won't be throwing out that food in comparison to wasting the best food Oakridge has had the privilege of enjoying from the famous small-town Omega baker."
Levi adds with a grin that's all teeth and no humor, "Karma's best served baked, asshole."
And then he's gone, led away in cuffs while the courtroom buzzes with shocked whispers and the rapid clicking of Reverie's camera—of course she's documenting this.
Judge Winters bangs her gavel again. "The defamation case is dismissed. All evidence will be forwarded to the district attorney. Ms. Holloway, you're free to go, and you have the court's apology for this disruption to your Halloween baking schedule."
Did the judge just apologize for ruining my cookie timeline?
"Thank you, Your Honor," I manage, voice shaking now that the adrenaline is crashing.
We're ushered out of the courtroom into October sunshine that feels too bright, too normal for a day where my ex-husband was just arrested for trying to kill me.
"I need to sit down," I announce, and then I'm on the courthouse steps with my head between my knees while three Alphas hover and Reverie fans me with her notebook.
"Breathe," Rowan orders. "In for four, hold for four, out for four."
"Is this real?" I ask the granite steps. "Did that actually just happen?"
"That actually just happened," Luca confirms. "You just verbally destroyed your abusive ex in open court while he was being arrested for stalking and attempted murder."
"And you looked hot doing it," Levi adds. "The dress was perfect. Very 'phoenix rising from ashes' energy."
"I'm going to throw up."
"Please don't," Reverie says. "I need you camera-ready. The whole town's going to want to celebrate."
"Celebrate what? My ex-husband going to jail?"
"Your freedom," she corrects gently. "Your strength. The fact that you stood up to him and won."
I lift my head, and she's right—there's already a crowd forming. Miss Bea from the flower shop, Mrs. Chen with her usual scowl softened into something like approval, Tommy from the construction crew, giving me a thumbs up.
And emerging from the bakery, Mila and Rosemarie with?—
"Is that a banner?"
"JUSTICE & PIE!" Mila yells, unfurling a hand-painted sign. "We're throwing you a party!"
