Some shed tears over their farewells, while others were ecstatic
over their reunions. I, however, hurried through the crowded airport. alone without even a suitcase by my side.
It seemed like Nicholas was about to break his prom
again. He said he would attend my court hearing today, but now there was no sign of him, and I hadn’t received a single message.
Before he boarded the plane, I had at least wished him a safe journey. It felt as though an invisible wall separated me from everyone else.
I forced myself to break through this inner solitude with a smile, trying to keep my emotions in check. I couldn’t afford any
distractions. Nothing could be allowed to affect my mental state now. Today was too important.
While waiting for the hearing, I met my client. As she had said, If her health permitted, she would come. But the once beautiful woman was now hidden beneath thick layers of makeup, her face devoid of color.
Her eyes were deeply sunken beneath large sunglasses, and her protruding cheekbones made her look like a shadow of her former self. Had she not asked her assistant to call out to me, I wouldn’t have recognized her at all.
Cindy smiled faintly with a calmness tinged with a nearly destructive despair. “Ms Jones, I saw him just now. I have no regrets anymore.”
I shuffled the documents in my hands, unsure of what to say to her at this moment.
Some lovers could not stay together, while those who did not love each other had to pretend to be husband and wife fate certainly had a cruel sense of humor.
The assistant gently urged Cindy to jeave. Since you’ve seen him now, we should go back. The doctor warned you ay outings.”
such long
Cindy coughed twice, the color of her pale lips barely concealed by her lipstick, and called out to me. “Ms. Jones, I’m counting on you to win this case. I don’t have time for another year of mediation”
I nodded and replied, “I’ll do everything I can. I won’t let you down.”
The wait was excruciating. The clerk arrived first, and the jurors were all present. Because the trial involved public figures, the courtroom was packed, with recording devices positioned in every corner like countless eyes watching us.
The scheduled time for the trial had arrived, and I was starting to wonder why the judge hadn’t appeared yet. Then, a familiar figure caught my eye.
Nicholas walked in, his long strides both deliberate and quick, with Beth hurrying behind him.
My heart pounded, and I tried not to look at him, but the image of him unbuttoning his suit jacket and sitting in the gallery was etched deeply in my mind.
Professional lawyers were always serious and unsmilling during a trial, but at that moment, I found it extremely hard to suppress my smile. He hadn’t broken his promise! He had honored our agreement!
As I struggled to calm my racing thoughts, a tiny surge of joy rippled
+25 BONUS
through me, growing into a wave of overwhelming emotion.
The judge finally arrived and spoke with solemn authority. “Thist court is now in session for the case of Cindy Carlson and Zachary Robinson.”
As the gavel struck, the battle began, and I immediately fted into gear. Perhaps it was Nicholas behind me, or perhaps it was because I’d always wanted to perform well in front of him, but I was in top
form.
From opening the case through to the process of both sides presenting and cross–examining evidence, everything went exceptionally smoothly.
The only moment that made me slightly nervous was when the defendant, Zachary, brought up new evidence.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Nicholas. His thin lips curved into a rare, gentle smile, and with a silently mouthed good luck“, the unease in my heart instantly settled. I saw pride in his eyes.
The tension was fleeting. I hadn’t spent all those days locked away at home in vain before the trial.
I had anticipated that the other side might make a move, and I had also predicted what questions the judge might ask. I even
considered what new evidence I might need to support my
arguments if any special situations arose.
Cindy couldn’t help but cough, clutching a handkerchief to her chest. I gave her a reassuring glance. I knew that success wouldn’t come easily, so I had a plan B and a plan C. I was fully prepared!
