I forced myself to stop the words “from him hitting her,” because I knew the defense would object.
After a while, the prosecutor glanced at the jury and back at me, then sighed. I wasn’t making a very good impression due to my anger seeping out.
“Tell me, why are you so agitated being in this room today?”
A good question. It would make the jury understand why. Who wouldn’t be angry, sitting across from the man who almost took your world away?
“Because he…” I couldn’t say his name, and I was so close to calling him a name the judge wouldn’t approve of “…hurt Lila. He tried to take my wife away from me. My love and reason for being.”
I took great pride in the murderous look that flashed on Adam’s face after calling Lila by her marital title. Lawrence smiled and continued on.
After a grueling fifteen minutes and more than one warning from the judge, the defense took over.
“Mr. Thorne, you and Delilah Thorne weren’t married when you first encountered Mr. Mitchell, were you?”
“No.”
“Neither were you engaged, is that correct?”
“Yes.” If I thought answering the prosecution was bad, it was nothing compared to the “yes” and “no” answers for the defense.
“Were you living together?”
“Yes.”
“But you still retained separate residences?”
“Yes.”
“And that is because your employer did not allow fraternization between its employees, correct?”
“Yes.” I shifted in my seat, but made sure it wasn’t noticeable.
“Is it true that you destroyed all the drywall in your entryway in a fit of anger?”
“Objection,” Lawrence called out. “Irrelevant to the case.”
The defense attorney didn’t flinch. “Mr. Thorne also has a history of violence. I am strictly trying to show that, your Honor.”
“What relevancy does it pose?” the judge asked, his voice clipped in annoyance at the defense attorney. Lila was right—the judge didn’t like him.
“That Delilah Thorne is the instigator of violent reactions.”
The judge thought on it for a moment. “I’ll allow it. Please answer the question, Mr. Thorne.”
I sighed, unhappy with the twist. “No.”
“No, you did not destroy your entryway.”
“Yes, I did, but not—”
“You blamed it all on your coworker, Delilah Palmer, isn’t that right?” He cut me off, keeping me from elaborating.
“No.”
“Weren’t you angry at her?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve shown us your anger today. Have you ever hit Delilah?”
“No.” My gut was tied in knots at even the thought of it, and I somehow managed to keep from flinching.
“Never?”
“Never.”
“The defense rests.” He wore a smug look as he moved back to his seat.
The prosecutor stood, and I knew they wanted to redirect after some of the questions posed by the defense.
“Mr. Thorne, you destroyed your entryway, but not in a fit of anger?”
“I tore down the drywall in a fit of despair after separating myself from Lila in a futile effort to keep her safe from a mob boss who wants me dead—because I prosecuted his daughter, and she’s in jail.” I sat up a little straighter.
“And why were you angry with Lila?”
“Because ever since my wife and child were murdered, I didn’t want to fall in love. I didn’t want to care about anyone. If I cared, they could kill them as well. But, Lila worked her way inside me without me even knowing it, and it made me angry at her for reviving feelings in my dead existence. I didn’t want to love her, but in the end, I couldn’t fight fate.” My jaw tightened with each passing second, making it increasingly difficult to get the words out.
His lip twitched as he fought a smile. A quick glance to the jury confirmed that my honest and passionate answer hit many of them in the heart.
Afterward, I was led back to another room, forced to be separated from Lila again until the jury left for deliberation. It was a grueling time. Thoughts that maybe I’d feel lighter once I got it out to the jury and others knew what he’d done was a myth.
The knot in my chest was weighing me down like chains wrapped around my body, dragging me to unknown depths. I’d fucked up, unable to control my anger. It looked bad and could undermine some of my good testimony with the jurors.
My skin itched with the need to feel it marring Adam’s flesh while simultaneously begging to be all over Lila. She was my oasis in the giant sea of fuckery.
When the bailiff came to let me out, I ran right into Lila, who was waiting for me. She threw her arms around me, and it was then peace started to settle in. The hard part was done—now it was up to twelve people.
The jury couldn’t come to a decision in the short amount of time left in the day, so we arrived at the courthouse bright and early the next morning. We didn’t have to wait long—an hour later, the jury was done deliberating. The short time could be a good sign, or a bad one. Either way, our group filed into the room and took a seat.
We’d waited so long, gone through so much, and the moment was finally upon us. My arm was around Lila’s shoulders, holding her close, our hands entwined. The whole room was tense as the jurors entered and took their seats.
The judge entered a moment later, read over the findings, and settled in.
“Will the defendant please rise.”
Prompted from the judge, the jury foreman stood, and my breath halted.
“On the first count of Aggravated Sexual Battery, how do you find the defendant?”
The world stopped, time stopped, and the entire room held its breath.
“We find the defendant guilty.”
I scooped Lila up in my arms, holding her tight as we cried out in joy.
The judge called for order, and we settled down. I looked into Lila’s eyes and for the first time in days, there was life and light. We didn’t pay attention to the judge, only every single “guilty” that rang out from the jury foreman.
Adam was found guilty on all five charges.
“Sentencing will be held on April twenty-first. Court is adjourned.”
I couldn’t help smiling as I watched the bailiff approach to take him away.
“You fucking cunt!” Adam screamed out, garnering the attention of the room. “I will fucking kill you!”
I pulled Lila behind me as Adam jumped over the banister and charged toward us. The beast in me smiled, ready to get a good swing in, to pulverize his face, but Adam was subdued by the bailiffs before I got the opportunity. He continued to act out as they hauled him away.
After he was gone, I used my hands to direct Lila out into the aisle, then to the hall.
Smiles lit up everyone as we exited. Hugs were spread around.
I couldn’t wait to celebrate.
My mother hugged me as Lila made her rounds. “Now?” she asked, and I nodded. “Okay. I’ll be right back. I’ll have her text you the information.”
“Thank you.” I kissed her cheek and moved back over to Lila.
We said goodbye to everyone, thanking them for coming and for their support. The sun was shining as we exited the courthouse, smiling down on us.
“Joan?” Lila blinked at an older woman standing outside the door.
She stood, and I got a good look at the woman who freed my love from possible death. There was more gray than brunette in her well-kept hair, and her suit was from another decade but fit her age well. A kind smile graced her face as she stood.
“Oh, Lila, look how beautiful you are.” Joan wrapped her arms around Lila. She sighed as she pulled back.
Lila blinked at her. “How did you know?”