Questions are lobbed at me as I fight through the crowds pressing in on me.
“How are you feeling today, Genevieve?”
“Do you think you’ll come out on top?”
“How will it feel to see your ex again?”
“Do you think you’re being greedy?”
I don’t saya word as I push through the doors to the courthouse. Warmth and the smell of old paper greets me as I spot Rebecca just beyond the security checkpoint.
Going through, the security officer gives me a nod as I grab my bag and make my way over to Rebecca.
“How are you feeling today?”
“Nervous.”
She beams back at me. “Well, you might not need to be.”
“What? What do you mean?”
Before she can answer, Eric comes sauntering in, a cocky look on his face. When he spots me, he shoots a wink my direction.
Everything about the asshole is smarmy. From that grin on his face to his slicked-back hair to the cheap suit he’s wearing.
God, I can’t wait to wipe that look off his face.
“I hate him,” I mutter under my breath.
Rebecca’s paralegal rushes over to us to beckon us into the courtroom. It’s smaller than I imagined it would be as the old doors creak shut behind us. The state seal hangs behind the judge’s bench, with a few rows of seats—packed with people—behind the small wall that separates us from them. The court reporter is waiting to the left of the bench, with no jury inside yet.
Eric is chatting with his attorney as we walk up the aisle.
“When will the jury arrive?” I ask Rebecca, taking my seat. Looking around, I see Claire in the front row, and she gives me a reassuring smile.
“We might not get to that today,” she says, taking out her files and a manila envelope.
“Why not?” A sick feeling settles in my stomach.
Before she can answer, we’re called to stand for the arriving judge.
“Your honor, I have new evidence I would like to submit to the court.”
“You do?” I whisper.
She smiles down at me, nodding.
“Approach the bench.”
She walks up with all the confidence in the world.
“What evidence is this? We weren’t made aware of any evidence, Your Honor,” Eric’s attorney pipes up.
Rebecca aims a well-practiced smile his way. “We only discovered it late last night. It was couriered to your office this morning.”
“We didn’t receive it.”
“I have a copy for you, then.” She produces another file and passes it over as the judge starts to review everything in front of her.
