Wrong Ties

Chapter Twenty Six

Once he's in prison it's over for him, I have a few connections. Nothing and I mean nothing is going to keep this motherfucker alive. I don't care how powerful he is. We'll see about that.

Cassie:
I'm free now, I'm finally free.
Not free from the painful memories and trauma.
But it's a good feeling knowing I'm free.
I could've done this a while ago but I was afraid. For a while I was afraid, if what people would think, if people would believe me.. if he'd hurt me. I thought logically of how it would play out, it's also because I had no one at the time it all began.
But now to say I have Noah is making me feel like I can breathe. I can maybe help.
I'm scared, more than fucking scared but if this was meant to happen, will I finally get my happy ending?

As soon as I walk into the doors of Noah's small home, I'm greeted by two upset woman crying on the sofa I'm guessing waiting upon my arrival. And two police men standing around gazing elsewhere in the room.

Once my presence was noticed, Lacey and Maria both rush to my sides forming a group hug, I slump into their hold.

"You're okay, I'm just glad you're okay" Maria cries.

***

"John is out on bail already, but there will be a trial. Until then he's a free man until proven guilty"

"What type of fuckery is this" shouts Noah, pacing back and forth across the room listening to the case worker and police escort talk.

I stay silent.

"But with your testimony and the eye witness"

"Eye witness?" I finally speak.

The case worker clears his throat.
"Ah yeah, I believe her name is Lilith"

Noah stops dead in his tracks, meanwhile I start to question how and when did she 'witness' it. Did she know? How could she know? Why is she helping me?

"Say that shit again?" Noah speaks breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"Hijo" Maria scolds him

"Lilith, we didn't get a last name but she handed in a video. She's also written a statement, she was in all day yesterday at the police station.

"Video?" I question.
Noah fixes his posture, clenching both his hands together.

"I need to fucking hit something" he says under his breath.

"Yes, we'll need you to watch it to confirm it's you. You can have someone else with you while we do that during that this whole process. We'll go at your pace okay?"

I nod.

I feel close to numb, I have evidence? I have to watch it? What is going on. My brain hurts, I feel so overwhelmed.

"Although we can use the evidence she provided, she remains under investigation for being a eye witness to something even more-

"My mother" I interrupt them, my eyes fixated on the floor.

Just numb, I feel numb.

"Yes.. ma'am. I'm sorry" he nods.

Noah comes closer, he looks confused.
Maria and Lacey are still in shock with what John had done to me, I don't even know how this would end of they knew what else he's capable off.

"Your mother?" Lacey joins.
"I was told she overdosed? Is that not true?" She questions. The crack in her voice made it sound like she knew what was coming.

"No, we have another confession and testimony from Lilith explaining how she saw Cassies mother died from the hands on John himself" he coughs.

" this is too much" I stop him. " I need to breathe" I stand up walking away.

This is all too much, I'm grateful I have 3 wonderful people by my side helping me through this, but they're hearing everything, all is being revealed and I'm not too sure how to handle it all.

I stand outside breathing in the cold air, I want to cry but I can't anymore. I've cried enough, now I just feel this deep feeling in my chest.

I turn around to meet Noah's empathetic look.

"We'll get through it okay?" He moves closer.

"He can't hurt you anymore" he hugs me.

"I'm so sorry about your mum Cas, I'm sorry about everything"

I pull away creating some distance between us.

"Don't leave please" I sigh

"I promise" he nods.

"Cassie, look I know I'm not good at these things or expressing myself but- he pauses.

He looks into my glossy eyes. "I love you" he breathes.

He.. he what? Does he really mean it? Is he saying it because of what's going on?

"I'm not saying it because of everything, I mean it" he reassures me.

A tear, a tear slides down my face. And this time it's not because I'm sad. Just for this little moment I see and feel hope. I've been waiting forever to hear him say it, I never expected it so soon.

I lean up slowly placing my hands on the sides of his face gazing into his eyes.
I close our distance with a soft kiss, before pulling away "say it again" I giggle

"Don't push it" he laughs before closing the gap between us, kissing me.

It's moments like this, despite my world being chaotic. I can still have little romantic or funny moments with the boy I love more than life itself.