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“Your Honor, Miss Harrington has a history of mental health issues and has falsely accused my client of assault, rape, and kidnapping.”

“Oh, please—”

“That’s quite enough,” the judge says, cutting the prosecutor off. “I’m ready to make my ruling. Bail is set at five hundred thousand dollars.”

I tense up and Nix squeezes me to him. I can’t breathe; it’s like there is a hundred pound weight pushing down on my chest.

Just when I thought I was free.

“I will, however, grant Miss Harrington and Mr. West an order of protection. You are not allowed to come within one hundred yards of either of them, young man. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

I can hear the sick satisfaction in his voice. How do these people not see it? Is he really that good at fooling everyone?

“Bailiff, please escort Mr. Wheeler back to his cell,” the judge orders and a man in a police uniform guides Ryan out of the courtroom. My breath stutters. Tears threaten as I remain frozen in my seat and the rest of the people in the courtroom file out.

“Hey, baby, look at me,” Nix commands softly.

I turn to him slowly and he lets out a pained moan at the expression on my face. “Emmy, I hate seeing you like this.”

“I can’t believe they let him out. What are we going to do?”

Nix flexes his jaw and I know he’s barely holding it together. I need to be there for him just as much as he’s there for me.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

He blinks and his eyes widen in shock. “What on earth are you sorry for?” His brow furrows and he cradles my face in his hands.

“I only think about me. I’m over here freaking out and this is hard on you, too.”

He shakes his head with a small smirk gracing his lips. “Babe, I think it’s safe to say that this is a whole lot harder on you.”

“Maybe it is but that’s not the point. I care about how you feel, too.”

“I know you do,” he assures me, stroking my cheek with his thumb. “I’m just so worried about you. As far as what we’re gonna do, I’m not leaving your side until this is resolved. We’ll get my dad’s help again.”

I sigh in frustration. “I hate asking your dad for help again. I’m sure he’s got his own life to live.”

“Baby,” he scolds, “my dad loves you and he’s so excited about being a granddad. We’re his family and he wants to do this for us.”

“Okay, Nix,” I agree, giving in. I honestly don’t have a better option so I’ll suck it up if I have to. It’s not just about me anymore. I have to think about our little ones.

“Come on, babe. Let’s get you out of here.”

I let Nix lead me out of the courthouse, readying myself for what comes next.