𝐱𝐱𝐯.

It was day two of the trial. Court was in recess until 12:30, but all Chris could think about was what was coming up next: Derek's testimony of that awful night. Defense counsel was aiming for a temporary insanity plea for Derek, according to Angela—in other words, he'd had a lapse of sane and rational judgment and because of it, decided to abduct Faith. Therefore he couldn't be held liable for his decisions and needed mental health treatment, not jail time. In the case of his sister, she'd simply been pulled into his web and was practically a bystander rather than an accomplice.

A load of bull is what it was.

Chris knew that matters like these were delicate, and the last thing he wanted was to allow his emotions to get the better of him. But after day one of testimony, he wasn't exactly sure how much more of this he could take. Faith had done such a good job on the stand, but seeing those pictures...knowing what that monster had done to her...it made his blood boil. Who could do that to another human being, let alone someone they had once claimed to love?

Chris felt a hand slip into his and squeeze gently. He turned to see Faith at his side, having just returned from the restroom. "Hey. You alright?"

Just seeing her stand before him, so strong in the face of reliving something so traumatic, made his eyes water. Nodding in response to her question, Chris pulled her in and held her close. "I'll just be glad when all of this is over with."

"You and me both..." She tipped her head back to gaze into his eyes. "Listen, about yesterday...I'm sorry I didn't tell you before–"

"No, no. Don't do that, baby." His voice was gentle as he moved some hair behind her ear. "You shared what you were comfortable with at the time. It would've been selfish of me to demand more before you were ready to take that step."

Her arms tightened around his waist, followed by an I love you tumbling from her lips, soft enough so that only he could hear. They would've been content to stay there forever if not for the passage of time that so swiftly indicated recess was over and court was back in session.

Once everyone had filed in and retook their seats, Chris watched as Judge Roberts emerged from his chambers. After banging the gavel a few times to call for the chatter to quiet, he spoke.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we're now moving on to the next part of this trial. I'll ask that everyone who testifies today takes the same thought process as yesterday into today's day of testimony. Mr. Wright, you may proceed with your line of questioning."

Anderson stood and fastened one of the buttons on his suit jacket and stood, approaching the witness stand. "The defense calls Derek Powers to the stand."

A muscle in Chris's face twitched as he watched Derek get sworn in. Times like these were ones he wished he didn't suffer from anxiety. It seemed to get even worse in stressful situations, and this certainly qualified. His mom reached for his hand and Chris was thankful as he held on tight. There was no telling what Derek was going to say, but to have that support in that moment was everything to him and then some.

Wright launched into his defense the moment Derek made it to the witness stand. "Mr. Powers, can you tell the court about your relationship with the plaintiff?"

"Sure. Me and Faith met in college. We hit it off pretty quick and not too long after that we started dating."

"And as she previously testified, you and Faith were in a relationship for about two years prior to separating?"

"Yes sir, that's accurate."

"To your knowledge, was Ms. Beaumont aware of the mental illness you were dealing with during the course of your time together?"

Chris's stomach clenched. Here we go...

"She knew that I dealt with anxiety and depression."

"But she didn't know that you were diagnosed with bipolar disorder, or that you've been on medication for the last several years as treatment?"

"I never shared that information with her at the jump, no. But I don't advertise it, either. It's just something I've dealt with. She found out not too long after we started dating."

"Bipolar disorder has many different symptoms, and not all of them are outward —some of it can be internal. It can affect a person's mood, how they behave..."

Angela stood up. "Your Honor, he's not even asking a question."

Judge Roberts let out a sigh. "Get to the point, Mr. Anderson."

"It leads into my next line of questioning, Your Honor." Anderson cleared his throat as he continued. "Derek, is it bad for you when you're off your medications?"

"Yes, sir."

"What usually happens during these episodes? Can you recall anything specific?"

"I don't feel like I'm in my own body, if that makes sense. It feels like I'm watching someone else's life play out."

"Does your mood change at all?"

"Most of the time, I have mood swings."

"Mood swings, interesting. So you find yourself doing things that you wouldn't normally than if you were on your meds?"

Angela shot up from her chair. "Objection, leading."

"Sustained. Clean it up, Mr. Wright."

The man sighed. "As best your recollection, Derek, what happens when these mood swings occur?"

"Well, it's in the name. My moods go back and forth. Could be extreme sadness or anger, at any time."

"How do you work through these mood swings?"

"Sometimes in destructive ways. Most of the time I take my anger out on something or someone."

"Do you hit things? Yell, scream?"

"Yeah."

"Have you ever hit Ms. Beaumont at any time, for any reason?"

"Yeah, but I wasn't on my meds. Sometimes I'm left disoriented if I've been off my meds and won't remember what I did or what I said."

Anderson canted his body more toward the jury box as he said, "So if I'm understanding you correctly, when you have these episodes while off your meds, you sometimes have trouble remembering your actions?"

"That's right. I would never willingly hurt Faith for any reason. I loved her. I still love her, to be honest. But I guess we never really saw things the same way."

Anderson nodded in satisfaction, letting the response hang in the air before returning to his seat.

It was getting to the point that if Chris squeezed his mom's hand any harder, he'd probably break it. The urge to leap across the table and strangle the life out of Derek was unbearably strong right now.

"Ms. Braun, your witness."

Angela stood and straightened out her suit, heels clacking as she walked over to the witness stand, arms folded across her chest. "Mr. Powers — is one of the symptoms of bipolar disorder aggravated kidnapping?"

Wright nearly knocked his chair over while trying to object. "Your Honor–"

"It's a valid question," Angela cut in, spreading her palms wide. "I've every right to ask it, Your Honor."

"I'll allow it. Have a seat, Mr. Wright. The witness will answer the question."

"No ma'am, it's not." Derek answered somewhat meekly.

"Is one of the symptoms coercion, or perhaps assault?"

"No, ma'am."

"You've made a claim here today that when you're off your meds, you have trouble recalling your actions."

"Yes, ma'am, but taking my medication doesn't mean all my symptoms just disappear."

"Oh, I'm well aware. Mood swings, manic episodes...whether someone is on or off their medication for something like bipolar disorder, those can be common occurrences. But for the most part, you'd say that your head is clearer when you're on your meds than when you're off them, is that accurate?"

"Yes. Things are more lucid for sure."

"Were you on medication the night of May 8th?"

If they hadn't been inside a courtroom, Chris would've cheered. Angela was too good at this. He watched as Derek shifted in his seat uncomfortably, after all this time seeming to be at a loss for words.

Judge Roberts cleared his throat. "Mr. Powers, if you refuse to answer the question, you'll be held in contempt."

"I'll repeat the question, then." Angela took a half step forward, determined in her gaze as she did so. "Were you or were you not on your medications the night of May 8th, when you abducted Ms. Beaumont from her hotel room?"

Derek let out a sigh before finally speaking again. "Yes, I'd taken my medications that day."

Angela gave a resolute nod. "Can you tell the court what compelled you to abduct Ms. Beaumont?"

"I was at the game that night. I tried to talk to her afterwards, but she ignored me. I swear all I wanted to do was talk."

"But you didn't talk to her. You followed her to her hotel and rendered her unconscious. And Carly was the getaway driver. What were you going to do with Faith, Mr. Powers? Kill her?"

"No. I wasn't going to hurt her, I'd never do that willingly."

"Willingly. I must say, Mr. Powers, out of the thousands of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder over the years, I can't recall any of them having a penchant for bodily harm. Maybe you'll show up in a new study some day. Scholars will speak of your case for centuries."

Anderson stood up again. "Objection. Your Honor, she's grandstanding, for God's sakes."

"Sustained. Let's keep things relegated to a line of questioning, Ms. Braun."

"Withdrawn. No further questions, Your Honor."

Chris didn't miss the fist bump that Angela gave Faith as she retook her seat.

• • • •

The decision was in.

The head juror handed a slip of paper to the bailiff, who then gave it to Judge Roberts. He made no immediate move to open it, instead looking out at everyone present. "Could both parties please stand?"

Faith obliged, letting out a shaky breath. She'd felt pretty confident up to this point, but sometimes you never knew how juries could be swayed. And the justice system wasn't exactly kind to Black women.

Judge Roberts unfolded the paper, and it felt like everything was going in slow motion. "On the first count, aggravated kidnapping in the 1st degree, how does the jury find in the case of Derek Powers?"

The forewoman cleared her throat. "We find the defendant guilty."

"On the second count, aggravated assault in the first degree, how does the jury find?"

"We find the defendant guilty."

"In the case of Carly Evans, on the sole count of aggravated kidnapping in the 2nd degree, how does the jury find?"

"We find the defendant, Carly Evans, not guilty."

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, thank you for your time. The sentence hearing for Mr. Powers will be held in two to three weeks. The court is adjourned."

Faith slowly sagged back into her seat, covering her face as she cried. She couldn't pinpoint just what it was she was feeling besides intense, sweeping relief. There was disappointment in Carly's charges being dropped, yes...but Derek would be going to prison for a long time. In her mind, this was a win.

The nightmare was over. Finally.

Angela gently pulled her into an embrace. "Soak it in. He can't hurt you anymore."

Once Angela released her, Faith turned around and practically fell into Hope's arms, squeezing her big sister like she'd never let go. "I'm so proud of you. I love you so much."

"I love you, too." Faith wiped her tears, but it was to no avail. They kept flowing, and she knew it wouldn't stop for a while yet.

Instead of leaning over the wooden railing that separated them, Chris came around to where she stood. He scooped her into his arms, partway lifting her off the ground as he did. I love you was like a chant coming from his lips, over and over.

When they broke the embrace, Chris held her face in his hands almost reverently, the pads of his thumbs brushing the wetness from her cheeks. "I'm so damn proud of you, baby. You hear me? So proud."

"I wouldn't have been able to do this without you," She remarked with a sniffle.

Chris pulled her close again, her cheek resting against his chest. "I love you, Faith Beaumont. So much."

"I love you more, Chris Evans."

"Impossible."

• • • •

thoughts on the verdicts?

apologies for any typos! i'll comb over it later. thanks for 60k+ reads! love y'all :)