One String Attached

87.

.Riley.

I couldn't do this for much longer. It was all just becoming too much.
We returned to the courtroom for the next procession but it all just felt like a useless battle at this point. Nothing was going the way I wanted it to. I couldn't see the point in trying when I've been painted in such a bad light. 

Even James seemed like he had given up when usually he's the one who stays confident and hopeful.
He may have been stood right next to me but I couldn't have felt more alone in this moment in time. He feels so distant from me and I can't put a finger down on why. 

"You may all sit down," the Judge tells us, causing us all to take our seats.

I sit myself down next to my husband for our thighs to brush against each other's.
I glance down at his hands as he fidgeted with his fingers above his lap, making me breathe in before moving my hand towards him to place on top of his palms, stopping him from twiddling around with his thumbs for much longer.

The Judge hesitates, looking through a couple of papers before clicking his tongue and setting his gaze directly on me.
There was a look of sympathy on his face as he took in the view of my bloodshot eyes, but I was just silently praying that whatever he had to say next was better news than what had been previously shared with the room. 

I couldn't even bother looking in the direction of Bryson and Whitney right now.
They were both up to no good and I'd prefer not to make any contact with the same guy who has the intentions of making my life a living hell. The only good thing he ever gave me is Aaliyah. And that stops there.
I don't need any more from him apart from her, that's all. 

"I was about to read the three statements handed into us from Mrs. Davis' contributors: Emily, Grace and Robert," he begins.
It was supposed to have been Deborah but that changed last minute when Deb and Robert decided to write a joint one together. "But it seems I've been handed in a last minute voice message of Aaliyah talking herself, sent to us by Mrs Deborah Davis," he says, making my eyes widen in alarm. 

James was clearly just as shocked as he squeezes my hand a smidge too tightly but I couldn't have cared less.
If Deborah had just sent a voice note of Aaliyah, it had to be good. She wouldn't send something that would put us in jeopardy. 

The Judge has a brief discussion with the rest of the party surrounding him until they come to some sort of agreement and the Judge nods.
"There's been a change of plans. We'll put the statements on hold and listen to the voice note first," he announces, making me breathe in. 

This had to be good. I don't think I can handle another thing going wrong after this but I know for a fact Deborah would only ever stick up for me. For us.
She's not like my mother who would go against me because she felt my children would be in safer hands with her. 

I loved my kids - all of them - and I was going to fight for them no matter what it meant I had to put myself through. 

They connect the speakers to the laptop in the corner for the computer systems and I hold my breath, waiting to be met with the sound of my daughter's voice.
I need her to say the right thing. 

Come on, baby. Now's the time I need you. 

James reaches over and discreetly kisses me on the temple, making me exhale, letting that deep breath back out at the same time as they play the audio.

"I was sitting on the wall that evening because I overheard Dad talking to Auntie Emily. He was saying that he would get me and Asher ready for us to spend the night at hers because Mummy needed some space for a bit.
I put my shoes on and went to sit outside to wait for him and Asher to get ready to drop us off at Auntie Em's. I was sitting there for quite a long time. I think Dad was talking to Mummy about everything that had been going on."