From the start (Joel Miller x Reader)

Chapter 16

A few days after the trial, as you were sorting through the emotional aftermath, your phone rang. The display showed Joel's name. An array of emotions flooded in as you debated whether to answer.

Reluctantly, you pressed the green button, answering with a curt, "Hello?"

"Hey, I just wanted to check in. Are you okay?" Joel's voice sounded concerned yet cautious.

The weight of the recent silence and uncertainty you had experienced rushed to the forefront of your mind. "Am I okay?" you echoed, the frustration evident in your voice. "You disappeared for months, and now you're asking if I'm okay?"

"I've been dealing with a lot," Joel replied, his voice tinged with regret.

"And I haven't?" you retorted, feeling a surge of anger. "This whole situation has been a mess, and you've been nowhere to be found."

There was a momentary pause on the line, the silence speaking volumes. Frustration mingled with hurt as you hung up, unable to contain the surge of emotions bubbling within you.

A week after Dani's trial concluded, you decided to meet up with Emma and a few of your other close friends to celebrate the verdict. It was a chance to release the pent-up tension that had accumulated over the past few months.

Emma welcomed you with a warm hug as you arrived at her place, the air already buzzing with excitement.

The evening commenced with Emma's cozy apartment adorned with strings of fairy lights and colorful balloons, setting the stage for the awaited celebration. Laughter and animated chatter filled the air as friends gathered in a cheerful reunion.

"Cheers to justice served!" Emma announced, raising her glass as the group toasted with clinks and enthusiastic agreement.

"Finally, some closure," one of your friends chimed in, echoing the sentiments shared by everyone.

The room was alive with stories, anecdotes, and shared memories. Glasses were constantly refilled as conversations flowed freely, painting the walls with laughter and joy.

"So, tell us all the courtroom drama! I bet it was intense," Emma nudged, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

You chuckled, recounting the trial's highlights, from the compelling arguments to the intense cross-examinations, while emphasizing the relief felt with the court's decision.

"It's been such a rollercoaster, but I'm just grateful it's over," you admitted, sharing a moment of vulnerability with your friends.

The conversation continued to ebb and flow, transitioning seamlessly from the trial discussions to lighter topics. Music played softly in the background, enhancing the jovial ambiance of the room.

As the evening progressed, the initial relief and shared victory morphed into carefree banter and joyous revelry. Laughter echoed off the walls, punctuating the conversations that danced between heartfelt reflections and playful jests.

Once you got home your phone flickered with a new text notification just as you settled into bed, its glow cutting through the dimly lit room. Joel's name illuminated the screen, and his message appeared, carrying the weight of an apology you hadn't anticipated.

"I'm really sorry for disappearing. I was dealing with some personal stuff. Are you okay?"

Though the urge to respond gnawed at you, weariness clouded your thoughts. You made a conscious decision to let it wait. With a heavy heart, you set your phone aside and buried yourself under the covers, seeking solace in the quiet of the night.