Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
The words hung in the air for a moment, impossible to process. Beside me, Eliza made a small, choked sound. I tightened my arm around her shoulders as she swayed slightly in her seat.
Judge Whitmore’s expression remained neutral, though I thought I caught a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes. “Ms. Thompson, your response?”
Lana recovered quickly from her surprise. “We accept the dismissal, Your Honor, and ask for full custodial rights be immediately restored to my client.”
“So ordered,” Judge Whitmore replied without hesitation. She turned her attention to Eliza directly. “Ms. Jans, the court acknowledges the difficult path you’ve walked these past months. Your patience and persistence in seeking proper medical care for your daughter is commendable.”
Eliza nodded, seemingly unable to form words. Her body sagged against mine, not in defeat but in the sudden release of tension holding her upright for months.
“Mr. Martin,” Judge Whitmore continued, “I trust the Department will ensure all records reflect this outcome appropriately and any staffing issues are resolved?”
“Yes, Your Honor. All files will be updated immediately to show no findings of wrongdoing. And Ms. Winters has decided to take an early retirement.”
Judge Whitmore nodded once. “Very well. This matter is dismissed with prejudice.” She brought down her gavel with a sharp crack echoing through the courtroom, the sound hollow yet final. “Ms. Jans, you have the court’s best wishes for your daughter’s health and your family’s well-being.”
Lana gathered her papers quickly. “Thank you, Your Honor.”
As we stood, I kept my arm firmly around Eliza’s waist, supporting her as we made our way toward the exit. Her steps were unsteady, her face a mixture of shock and relief she still tried to process.
It wasn’t until we pushed through the heavy courtroom doors into the hallway the reality seemed to hit her. Eliza stopped suddenly, turning toward me with tears filling her eyes. “It’s over,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “Cash, it’s really over.”
I pulled her against my chest, not caring who saw us. “You did it, lil’ Liza. You fought and you won.”
Her tears soaked into my shirt, but these weren’t the desperate, broken sobs I’d witnessed before. These were tears of vindication and joy, of a battle hard-fought and finally won. I held her while she cried, my own throat tight with emotion.
Over her head, I met Lana’s eyes, seeing a smugness that made me wonder what strings had been pulled behind the scenes. With Eliza finally free from the nightmare once consuming her life, I couldn’t bring myself to care about the how or why. Eliza and Lily were safe. Together. And I planned to make damn sure they stayed that way.
The bright spring sunlight hit us like a physical force as we pushed through the courthouse doors onto the wide stone steps. Eliza fumbled in her purse for her sunglasses, her hands still shaky with relief.
“I keep waiting for someone to tell me there’s been a mistake,” she admitted quietly. “That we have to go back in.”
I rested my hands on her shoulders. “No mistakes. No more fighting. It’s done.”
“Ms. Thompson.” The voice came from behind me, formal and tight.
I turned to find Martin, the State’s Attorney, approaching us with measured steps. His eyes were fixed not on me but on Lana, who ended her call when she spotted him.
“Mr. Martin,” she acknowledged smoothly. “Something else?”
His jaw worked for a moment before he spoke. “A word, if you don’t mind.”
Lana nodded to us. “I’ll just be a moment.”
I watched as they moved several paces away, not quite out of earshot. Martin positioned himself with his back to us, but I still heard him.
“I did what I was asked to do,” he said, voice low but intense. “Now have Antonio Miles back off.”
The name sent a jolt through me. Tonio Miles. Knuckles had mentioned him his day at Haven, when Ms. Winters had taken Lily away. Said he’d “take care of it.” I remembered Lana’s reaction too, the way her expression had shifted to a grim satisfaction when Knuckles suggested involving him.
Lana merely shrugged, her face a perfect mask of practiced innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Martin’s shoulders stiffened, his voice dropping even lower. “This is serious. He made certain promises if I handled this case personally. Those promises need to be kept.”
“Then I suggest you take it up with Mr. Miles,” Lana replied coolly. “Powerful as the man is, I’m not his messenger. My client’s case has been dismissed. That’s all I’m concerned about.”
Martin’s face tightened, a muscle jumping in his jaw as he glared at her for another moment before walking away. His steps were quick, almost hurried, as if eager to put distance between himself and whatever complications Tonio Miles represented.
I approached Lana, brow furrowed. “What the hell was that about?”
She slipped her phone into her pocket, the sunlight catching in her sleek hair as she shook her head. “The less you know, the better.”