Adele in Love "The woman in the crowd"

58 || court

Both of them had dressed in black suits, and on the way to the courthouse, Adele was visibly nervous. Isy kept her hand resting on Adele's thigh, gently stroking it back and forth to offer comfort.

As they arrived at the courthouse, Isy noticed Adele growing increasingly tense. Before they entered the building, Isy carefully pulled Adele back a step and wrapped her in a reassuring embrace. She then leaned back slightly, cupping Adele's face in her hands.

"I promise you, everything will be okay, babe," Isy whispered softly. "Evan will rot in prison; Paul will make sure of that. I can promise you." Adele nodded slightly, taking in Isy's words and the comfort of her touch.

They sat nervously outside the courtroom as Paul arrived. His gaze softened with concern as he approached Adele. "Adele, you need to try to calm down," he said gently. "I know it's incredibly tough, but you look like you're about to collapse."

Isy shot Paul a sharp look, her patience wearing thin. "Thanks for the help," she snapped, pulling him a meter away to speak with him privately.

"Are you absolutely sure Evan will rot in prison?" Isy asked, her voice low and urgent, her eyes searching Paul's for reassurance.

Paul's expression was resolute. "He will," he said firmly. "I have it under control."

Isy nodded, feeling a flicker of relief. She returned to Adele's side and gently placed her hand back on Adele's leg, which was still bouncing anxiously.

"Babe, please try to relax," Isy said softly, her voice soothing as she stroked Adele's leg up and down.

"I'm trying," Adele whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of the moment.

As they were finally called into the courtroom, Isy took a deep breath. Before they stepped through the door, she reached out and ran her hand gently up and down Adele's back, her touch warm and calming.

She then turned Adele to face her, leaning in for a tender kiss. "You've got this," Isy whispered softly against Adele's lips. "Remember, look at me if you start feeling overwhelmed. I'm here every second, and Paul will be right beside you too."

Adele nodded, taking in Isy's comforting words and the warmth of her touch. With renewed determination, she followed Isy and Paul into the courtroom, their support a constant presence as they faced the day's challenges.

Isy took her seat in the courtroom, strategically positioning herself to observe both Adele and Evan, though their sides were starkly separated. She settled on the opposite side from Evan's family, her gaze steady but her heart pounding. The atmosphere was heavy, charged with unspoken tension and raw emotions.

Adele and Paul took their places in the center of the room. Adele's hands were tightly gripping the armrests of her chair, her knuckles white from the strain. Paul was meticulously organizing documents and preparing evidence, offering Adele a silent yet powerful form of support.

The trial began in a somber silence. The door to the courtroom creaked open, and Evan entered, his hands shackled. He walked with a stiff, deliberate gait, taking his seat at the defendant's table. His eyes briefly met Adele's before he looked away, his expression a mix of defiance and resignation.

The prosecution started presenting the evidence, including distressing videos and photographs of the assault. Each image was a raw and painful reminder of Adele's trauma. The courtroom was filled with unsettling sounds as the evidence was shown, and Adele's face was a mask of pain and determination. She struggled to stay focused, trying to compartmentalize the overwhelming flood of emotions.

Paul, standing beside her, kept his voice low and reassuring. "You're doing great, Adele. Just focus on the facts. We're almost there."

Adele nodded, her eyes fixed on the screen, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... so hard to see it all again," she admitted, her voice trembling with the weight of her emotions.

When it was Adele's turn to testify, she was forced to recount every painful detail of her experience. The room was eerily silent except for her voice and the occasional sound of someone shifting in their seat. As she spoke, her heart raced, and she struggled to keep her composure, knowing that it was crucial to convey the truth.

Paul, ever supportive, leaned in occasionally to offer quiet words of encouragement. "You're strong, Adele. Keep going. We're almost there."

After hours of distressing evidence and intense questioning, the trial dragged on. During a brief recess, Isy approached Adele, her face etched with concern. "How are you holding up?" she asked gently, placing a comforting hand on Adele's arm.

Adele looked up at Isy, her eyes red and weary. "It's really hard," she admitted. "I feel like I'm reliving everything all over again. But I know it's necessary."

Isy squeezed her arm reassuringly, her voice soft and filled with affection. "You're doing incredibly well. I'm so proud of you. Just keep looking at me. I'm here with you every step of the way."

As the courtroom resumed, the judge prepared to deliver the verdict. The jury's deliberation felt interminable. Finally, the judge called the court to order and announced the verdict: Evan was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Adele let out a long, shuddering breath, a wave of relief washing over her. Paul turned to her, offering a comforting smile. "It's over. You did it," he said softly.

Before they could fully process the verdict, Adele's emotions overwhelmed her. She stumbled out of the courtroom, her steps faltering. Outside, the full weight of the day's events descended upon her. She collapsed into Isy's arms, her composure shattered as she began to sob uncontrollably.

Isy's heart ached at the sight of Adele's distress. She enveloped Adele in a tight, protective embrace, her own tears mingling with Adele's. "Oh, sweetheart," Isy murmured, her voice trembling with emotion. "It's okay. You don't have to be strong anymore. I'm right here."

Adele clung to Isy, her body shaking as she let out her pent-up pain and fear. "It was so hard," she gasped between sobs. "I couldn't stop seeing it all... reliving everything."

Isy held her tighter, her fingers tracing soothing patterns on Adele's back. "I know, my love," she whispered, her voice choked with tears. "I know it was unbearable. But you were so brave. You faced it all, and now it's over. You don't have to carry it alone anymore."

She pulled back just enough to look into Adele's tear-streaked face, her eyes full of unwavering love and concern. "You are my everything," Isy said softly, brushing a tear from Adele's cheek. "And I promise you, I'll always be here to hold you through the darkest moments. You're not alone, not now, not ever."

Adele managed a faint, grateful smile through her tears. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice cracking. "For being here, for everything."

Isy's heart swelled with tenderness as she gently cupped Adele's face in her hands, her thumbs wiping away the remaining tears. "You don't need to thank me," she said, her voice warm and filled with affection. "I'd do anything for you. You're my heart, and I'll always be here to help you heal."

As Adele's breathing gradually steadied, Isy remained close, their foreheads touching as she continued to offer her quiet, loving support. Together, they began to walk away from the courthouse, the weight of the day slowly lifting as they faced the future hand in hand, their bond