𝐎𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐛.𝐛)

Stepfather (II)

A/N: TRIGGER WARNING!!!!! THIS IS THE START OF THE TRIAL. THIS IS GETTING MESSY SO VIEW WITH CAUTION.

i would also like to say there will be absolutely no smut in the book what so ever.

another disclaimer, i'm not a lawyer, so i'm doing thorough research to try and make this as realistic as possible. if there's anything i did wrong please forgive me, i'm trying to get this as right as someone who doesn't work in law can.

proceed with caution.
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Riley was latching onto James's hand. I think he needed it more than her.

"My mother is coming, is it okay that she sits with her until she's called to the stand?" James asks as we cross the street.

"Yeah. That's fine." I say blankly.

Kara Franks. It was a kiss. Stop acting like a 13 year old.

The parking lot of the court house was cold. Yeah it was winter but it's another type of cold. I shuddered slightly before opening the door for Riley and James. As soon as I stepped in, my game face was on. In front of a stairwell that leads to the balcony of a court room, we stop. I look to James as Riley was taking in her observation.

"James, I need you to be confident. If you show any sign of doubt, you loose. The case, your home, even Riley. You know what you did and didn't do. Be confident in that. Don't let her get to you." I beg. When you work in such a risky career, you learn that your confidence is a key aspect.

"Okay. I'm good. I'm good."

"Good."

"Good." He replies. We just stare until a few people excuse themselves between us upstairs. I take this separation as a excuse to go to the court room. James and Riley follows and as the court room doors opens, it's colder. Maybe because of Rachel's lawyer.

"Ah. Miss Frank's. Lovely to work with you again." Dylan Crowder exclaims. Rachel looks to him confused before reviewing a sheet again.

I set my bag down in my seat as James stands behind me, Riley is now fiddling with the few rings on my fingers. "Is that a child? Kara Franks is breaking bad huh?"

"Dylan, you're wasting you're time. You're not gonna intimate me or my client. You should really be focusing on helping yours. That is why she hired you." I bite before turning my back to him and watch James place Riley in his lap.

"That's Dylan?"

"Sadly. Is your Mom here yet?" As if I summoned her, she was at the fence that separates the viewers and the ones involved with the trial.

"Ri Ri!" The familiar voice proclaims. She was wearing a maxi dress that had a pattern similar to a Vera Bradley bag. She paired it with a cardigan. Her brown eyes met mine and she almost scowled.

"Hey mom." James greets with his mother. I watch as James passes his daughter to his mother. She hugs and attacks her with small kisses as Riley laughed and giggled. Still such an angelic sound.

"Hi baby. You feelin' okay?" His mom asks him.

"Yeah, we're doing okay. Thanks to Kara."

She looked to me and I could feel her internal eye roll.

"Maybe after this blows over, you and Rachel could give it another go." She suggests. James cringes before chuckling slightly.

"Mom, Rachel and I aren't meant to be. I think you and Riley need to head back." He says. His mom sighs as she takes her seat with Riley. We sit down at the dark, rich brown table that feeds our nerves. The only difference is I'm better at hiding it.