43
Guilty.
The verdict rang out in the courtroom, echoing off the walls and ringing in my ears. My shoulders sagged, tears springing to my eyes. Relief flooded my chest, easing the grip that anxiety held over me for the past several months.
Turning in my chair, my eyes immediately found Serena before shifting to Knox.
They each beamed, clapping at the result. I kept my gaze focused on them as Calvin was escorted out of the courtroom by the bailiff, his hands in cuffs behind his back.
My lawyer spoke to me then, but my mind was too amped up — I couldn't focus on anything she was trying to say.
I did it. And it wasn't for nothing. I went up there and spoke the truth, and now he'd be rightfully locked up.
I could already breathe easier at the thought.
I could barely feel my lawyer's hand on my back, guiding me out towards Serena and Knox. Falling into Serena's open arms, I felt all of my pent up stress flood out of me. My every anxiety, every nightmare that has been plaguing me.
"I'm so proud of you, Annie," Serena cried softly, her voice a soothing coo.
I couldn't begin to guess how long we stood there, embracing each other. All I knew was that when I eventually pulled away, my heart felt lighter and my future gleamed brighter.
Tucking me into his side, Knox held me as we walked out of the courtroom in stride.
I drew in a shaky breath, hardly believing what was really happening. All of the months of stress finally coming down to this moment. I finally felt free, released in a way I never have felt before.
"You did so good, baby," Knox mumbled against the top of my head as he peppered my hair with kisses. The palm of his hand moved up and down my arm in a soothing rub, effectively calming my still frazzled mind.
Just when I felt myself finally touching back down to earth, my bones settling and my heart beating normally once more, my lips parted in slight surprise as I caught movement out of the corner of my eyes.
"Annie, hey," he called softly, awkwardly, as if he was wincing inside.
My tongued weighed heavy in my mouth, my fingers unknowingly curling as I shifted further into Knox. He tensed, his arm flexing around me.
Tyler rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes shifting as he stopped in front of us.
"Listen, I know I'm probably the last person you want to hear from right now," he started, his face drooping as he avoided eye-contact. Not that I was complaining, I too was cringing inside myself.
"But," he continued, "I just — I want you to know that I had no idea Calvin was going to do that to you. If I did know...all I mean to say is, I never wanted any of this. I'm sorry."
I chewed on my lip, deep in thought as his apology washed over me. Knox was still pressed against me, his presence more than enough to keep me comfortable. And with this needed victory, if what Tyler was saying was true, there felt like no reason for me to ignore his olive branch.
"Thank you," I whispered. Clearing my throat, I nodded my head in acceptance before finally muttering the words that I knew he needed to hear, "I forgive you."
Tyler's shoulders visibly relaxed as he let out a nearly inaudible breath. He mustered up a tense smile, nodding at me and then Knox before turning and taking his leave.
Without realizing it, I was sucked back into thoughts of that day — the image of Tyler walking away and letting Calvin do what he wanted. I didn't notice how tense I had become until Knox's fingers met my chin.
He lightly brought my gaze to his, his eyes searching.
"It's over, Annie. You don't need to worry about him —fuck, either of them— anymore," Knox assured in the softest tone.
His fingers lightly brushed my skin as a gentle reminder of his continued presence.
I nodded my head, letting my shoulders relax once more. He was right. With Calvin behind bars, I wouldn't really need to worry anymore. If Tyler truly meant what he said, I wouldn't need to look over my shoulder for either of them again.
Especially not with Knox at my side.
"Can we go home now?" I asked in a whisper. Not because I felt as weak as I did this morning. In fact, I was already feeling stronger than I had in weeks. That didn't mean I wasn't exhausted, though.
All of the energy and worry that had been consuming me had taken its toll.
What I really wanted now was a nice nap.
A small smile pulled at Knox's mouth as he nodded. "Of course, baby."
At that, my head was already looking around for where Serena went. So many people were still loitering in the hall, caught up in various long discussions.
When my eyes finally found Serena, she didn't look as happy and relaxed as she had when we'd last seen her — I guess, I could relate to that now too. But it wasn't as if Tyler had gone up and reminded her of what had happened immediately after she let her guard down. So what was it?
Serena's eyes widened as she too found me. Her steps were quick and her face set in determination as she made her way over.
"Annie, you ready? We should go now," she spoke fast, her movements slightly frantic.
"I mean yes, but," I paused, increasingly confused, "what's wrong?"
I didn't understand. She was never like this. Serena has always been the calmness to my storm. I couldn't recall a single time I've ever seen her this frazzled.
"I—" she hesitated, her gaze darting around as if she was desperate to find an excuse.
"Serena..." I prompted, my brows furrowing. Knox's arm tightened around me.
She sighed as if this was the last thing she wanted to admit to me right now. "Your case with Calvin must have been shared by the news, I'm not quite sure to what extent but... your dad saw your name and he's here."
My breath hitched, catching uncomfortably in my throat. My hands were already shaking, my brain buzzing.
"Your dad is looking for you, Annie."