I TURNED AROUND just enough to lock eyes with Vicky who was sitting in one of the rows behind me, before glancing at the two empty seats across from me. She gave me a hopeful smile before I faced forward once more.
“We seem to be missing the other party, but we will go ahead and proceed with this case.”
“Yes, Your Honor.” William, my lawyer, stood to his feet, latching the single button on his dark pin-stripe suit. My teeth began to chatter, my nerves taking front and center.
I hadn’t seen Aaron or his attorney yet, and I was trying to convince myself that it was a good sign. I had to hold on to the hope that God had heard my pleas.
But just as I started to convince myself that things might work in my favor, the sound of the heavy wooden door behind me creaked open. My heart began to slam into my chest, and my fear wouldn’t allow me to turn my head.
Please, no. Please, no. Please, no, I plead silently.
I heard footsteps coming closer, shuffling loudly on the hard floor. My breathing became shallow and I pressed my hands together, trying to control the trembling.
“I apologize, Your Honor,” an unfamiliar, deep voice spoke beside me before he came into view. He was a tall, older man, probably in his late fifties, with silver hair and an expensive suit.
The judge glared at the man in annoyance over his glasses.
“Will your client be joining us today?” the judge asked, sliding his glasses higher on his nose.
“He will not.” He cleared his throat before continuing. “May I speak with you and Ms. Frost’s attorney for just a moment, please?”
“Proceed,” the judge groaned and waved both attorneys in his direction and then pressed his fingertips over his nose, obviously frustrated or in a bad mood. I only hoped that I didn’t get the brunt of his annoyance.
I glanced back at Vicky once again, and she gave me a quick thumbs-up before I turned around, trying to focus and make out some of the quiet chatter that was taking place a few feet in front of me.
“Thank you, counselors.” The judge’s deep voice caused me to jump as the two lawyers turned around and made their way closer to me. Jack gave me a sly grin before taking a seat next to me.
“Ms. Frost, will you please stand?” He gave me a tiny smile, one that was almost gone as fast as I’d seen it. So fast that I almost thought I’d imagined it. I stood to my feet with shaky legs and let out a long breath.
“Yes, sir, Your Honor,” I mumbled, stumbling over my words, my nerves getting the best of me.
“As you can see, Mr. Frost decided not to make an appearance today.” I simply nodded my head and gripped my hands together in front of me.
“I’d like to tell you that I commend you for the steps you’ve taken. I’ve read over your file, and I see that you’ve worked hard to build a new life.”
“Yes, sir,” I repeated, a nervous smile crossing my lips but not without my cheeks shaking.
“I’m ruling in your favor, Ms. Frost. Your divorce is granted, and Mr. Frost has surrendered all of his parental rights of the child, pending all of the final paperwork on your end, of course.” His frame blurred as the tears began to roll down my cheeks.
“Thank you.” My lips quivered as William patted my shoulder gently.
“There’s just one more thing.” He cleared his throat and glanced down at the file he held in his hand. I didn’t respond, I just waited for whatever he was about to say.
“Your soon-to-be ex-husband has plenty of assets that you have rights to. You don’t have to leave this room empty handed.” He glanced over at Aaron’s attorney, who folded his arms across his chest.
“I don’t want anything from him. I just want my daughter safe and away from him.” A boldness rose up inside of me as I spoke.
“Very well, then. This case is closed. Good luck to you, Ms. Frost.” The gavel slammed down, making a loud thud, before standing to his feet and marching through the door behind him.
“Thank you, sir,” I mumbled, sliding down into my chair, my knees refusing to hold me up one second longer.
“Cowards always show their true colors eventually.” William began to gather the files that were scattered in front of him with a smile on his face.
“I told you everything would be okay!” Vicky’s voice squealed behind me, and I lunged to my feet, embracing her in a tight hug.
“Did this really just happen?” The tears of joy streamed down my cheeks, and I was in shock.
“It did, Ryan. I knew it would work out.” She squeezed me tighter before pulling away.
“Thank God,” I muttered, swiping the salty tears from my face.
“Exactly.” She gave me a wink.
That moment of clarity hit me like a ton of bricks. There was no other explanation.
“Ryan, I just need to go over the final paperwork with you and then you’re a free woman.” He chuckled, tapping the large stack of papers he held in his hand.
“Okay.” I glanced up at William before turning my attention back to Vicky. “Thank you so much for coming with me, but you can go ahead and go.” I smiled a genuine smile, a smile of relief.
“Are you sure? I don’t mind.” I knew she honestly didn’t, but I also knew that Lee had the day off today and she wanted to spend time with him since he’d been putting in such long hours at work.
“Go, I’m totally fine. This might take a while. Go home to your husband,” I suggested, wiggling my eyebrows at her.
“Okay, well, call me if you need anything.” She gave me another hug before making her way out of the courtroom.
“There’s another case getting ready to start.” William glanced over his shoulder at the strangers filing into the courtroom. “There’s a conference room across the hall, we can get all this signed so I can get it filed by the end of the day, before everything slows down for the holiday.
“Sounds good.” I smiled and pushed the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday from my mind.
***
Almost an hour later, I walked out of the elevator, gripping my copy of my life-changing papers against my chest and braced myself for the bitter cold wind I was about to face on the other side of the glass doors. A cold front apparently came blasting into town during our hearing. And from the looks of everyone who came into the door, it was intense. According to Vicky, that’s how autumn worked in Texas.
I gave the security officer a quick smile before opening the door. The wind whipped me in the face, causing a shiver up my spine. You’d think after spending my whole life up north, I’d be used to the cold weather. But I didn’t like it, I never had. I liked the heat. Vicky told me that meant Texas was the perfect place for me. As the days went by, I had to agree. But it didn’t have anything to do with the weather.
I set my sights on my car on the other side of the parking lot and shuffled my feet quickly, anxious to get out of the wind.
Another shiver ran up my spine as I maneuvered my way around a large truck, but this time it had nothing to do with the weather.
He was leaning against a white luxury car wearing his typical expensive suit, and the sight of him almost caused me to vomit right in the parking lot. He had a cigarette hanging from him lips, and he wore that familiar smirk.
“No, no, no,” I mumbled to myself, knowing I needed to get to my car before he saw me.
But the next moment, his eyes locked on mine and I knew it was too late.
Aaron began to stalk in my direction and fear caused my legs to stiffen, preventing me from running the opposite way.