Adored

Chapter 10

Meg dressed conservatively for court. They'd returned from their honeymoon the night before but today was court day. She was stressed out.

Angelique rubbed her shoulders. "You got this."

Meg patted her left hand with her right. "We got this."

Angelique kissed her cheek. "We got this."

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Court was surreal. The Millers showed and so did Brian. Angelique sat next to Meg on the left side of the courtroom with their lawyer.

Suddenly commotion started at the back of the courtroom. Peter and Lois were entering. Peter walked slowly while Lois stalked forward angrily.

Angelique took Meg's hand and squeezed.

Meg began breathing again. She faced forward.

The court appointed lawyer for the Griffins waved the two over.

Lois glared at Meg the whole time.

Meg felt it acutely but tried to shake it off.

The judge swept into the room so everyone stood until she sat, bringing the case up for review.

It was starting.

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The case started benignly enough but Lois continued to yell out that Meg's lawyer was lying.

The judge beat her gavel against the podium, calling for quiet. She told Lois that if she continued to disrupt proceedings that she'd be held in contempt.

Lois gnashed her teeth but remained quiet.

The trial continued...

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Meg was put on stand to tell her life's story in her own words.

The judge was disgusted but was barely able to keep it off her face.

"You liar!" Lois screeched. "It wasn't that bad! We kept you fed and in clothes with a roof over your head and you're going to have the nerve to try to take my kids from me?!"

The judge banged her gavel and had the bailiff take Lois to lockup. She called for a recess.

Everyone got to leave.

Angelique took Meg to the women's restroom. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. Any of it. But this is a new day and things will get better for you."

Meg held her, crying heavily. "What did I do? To make her hate me? What did I do?"

"I think she's jealous of you."

"What?!" Meg didn't understand that at all. "She's the knockout. I'm just- me."

"Hey, hey, hey. You're phenomenal. She may have traditionally attractive features but you're uniquely stunning. Looks aren't everything so even if you were this hideous beast, you've got her beat six ways from Sunday. After everything you've admitted to and the things I've seen with my own eyes, I think she's always been jealous of you.

Some mothers are jealous of their daughters from jump street. Something about their youth. No matter what she does, you have the chance to surpass her and at a younger age. It eats her up inside.

You were right. She hasn't done too much greatness in her life and you have the beginnings of greatness at your fingertips. She hates it and wants to snuff it out of you but don't you let her.

Be who you were always destined to be. Happy."

Meg sniffled hard. "I love you."

Angelique tapped Meg's nose. "I love you, too."