Chapter 14 - The Courtroom
Linda's sentencing drew more attention than I expected.
I almost didn't attend.
Then I decided I wanted to speak.
Not for revenge.
For the truth.
I stood before the judge with Ethan beside me.
Linda sat at the defense table.
I described the birthday party.
The announcement.
The laughter.
The kick.
The hospital.
The terror of watching an ultrasound screen while wondering whether my babies were alive.
Then I looked at Linda.
“For years, I kept making myself smaller because I thought peace meant preventing you from becoming angry.”
The courtroom was silent.
“I know differently now.”
Linda lowered her eyes.
“I don't control what sentence you receive. I don't control whether you change. But I control whether you are allowed close enough to hurt me again.”
Ethan squeezed my hand.
The judge imposed the sentence according to the plea agreement and ordered additional conditions restricting contact.
Linda cried.
I didn't celebrate.
There was nothing joyful about watching a family break.
But when I walked outside, I felt something I hadn't felt in years.
Safe.
Then Rebecca ran toward us from the courthouse steps.
She looked terrified.
“The storage facility called.”
Ethan frowned.
May you like
“What happened?”
“The embryo is gone.”
