And then everything moved in slow motion: Me trying to open the bottle of wine, the screeching, the bang, the cold, the pain, waking up in ICU a week later hooked up to machines, my leg in a cast, and my mother sleeping in a recliner beside me.
Chapter 26
Tara
Present Day
The moment Lana Beckett walked into the courtroom, I could see Reid’s demeanor change. She was the woman I’d caught with Reid in the kitchen. She no longer worked at the company Reid did and Maria was able to convince her to give a statement.
Reid didn't seem as confident, especially when his attorney tried and failed to make her statements less credible by bringing up her sordid past. Lana came from a disadvantaged family, and she’d sought out the easiest climb up the corporate ladder. Unfortunately, that got her entangled, literally, with several assholes like my ex-husband. I smirked at him, and he didn't seem so cocky anymore.
During a recess, Reid asked to speak to me privately. Even though Jude insisted against it, I wanted to hear what he had to say, not for any other reason than to make him understand that I was not backing down. We were led to a private office, our attorneys and Jude waiting outside.
"You surprised me, Tara," he said cockily. "I expected you to lie down and play dead, but that is far from what you're doing. I don't have to warn you how much hot water you're getting yourself into."
“Oh please, Reid, your threats don’t work on me anymore. to the sooner you realize that, the better. You used my weaknesses against me last time, like the coward you were. You didn’t take responsibility for your role in the way things turned out.”
I saw his jaw twitch, something that would usually scare me or make me cower away, but this time, it just made me more determined.
"I don't hate you, you know. Instead, I just feel sorry for you, that you had to hurt, belittle and degrade me to make yourself feel more of a man. You're not more of a man, you're barely a man at all, and when I walk out of here with custody of my daughter, I won’t be a coward like you are. I'll let you see her and be in her life, but I will never let you make me feel small again."
He laughed, but I knew I'd gotten to him. Why did I waste my time talking to him?
"Why, Reid? Why?" I asked, standing up and looking down at him.
“Because you made me want more from my life, then you were the one that took that all away.”
"You can spend your life justifying it that way, but the truth is, it was your choice to marry me and be a father. Just like it was your choice to fuck around and abuse me. Goodbye, Reid. There is nothing more I have to say to you."
I walked out and looped my hand in Jude’s as he led me back to the courtroom.
The second half of the trial consisted of Reid being questioned as well as the testimony of Dr. Evans, the doctor I consulted after one of Reid’s beatings. The previous psychologist was also put on the stand and confirmed that I had been receiving treatment for several years before the divorce. Shaver had nothing when it came to those statements. His cross questioning was weak. I had a way of playing my cards close to my chest during my relationship with Reid. I never made it known that I was seeking help, and I was glad I didn’t.
We had one more witness, one that was as much of a wildcard as anyone else. If she came through for me, I would see my daughter by the end of the week.
* * *
We sataround a table in a well-lit restaurant. It may seem premature, but Maria felt that we all deserved a fancy dinner and time to unwind. I leaned into Jude on our end of the booth as Devlin cocked a brow.
“Never in a million years did I expect to see this. If I’d known you were eyeing my sister, I would have punched your daylights out years ago.”
Jude looked down at me, the way he felt about me so clear when I looked in his eyes. “Then that beatdown would have been worth it.”
"But seriously, I am happy for you two. I cannot remember the last time I saw Tara smile like that. You brought her back to us, and for that, I will always be grateful."
"She did a lot of that herself." He said, running his hands through my hair.
Tilly sat in the middle of us couples, grinning at Jude and me. She was a terrible romantic at heart.
"Thank you, Maria, for everything you've done so far." I said.
“It’s part of the job,” she waved me off, then smiled sweetly. “You’re family. I will not let that asshole deny you a relationship with your daughter.”
After dinner, Jude drove Tilly home, and we made our way to his apartment. We'd been basically living between the two for the last month.
When he opened the door, I placed a hand to my mouth. The entire space was lit with candles and flowers. A blanket tent was pitched in the middle of the living room, and it reminded me of those we used to build when we were kids.
“This is perfect.” I managed, tears forming in my eyes.
