Trapped (Book 2)

Chapter 4

I couldn't sleep at all last night. I had nightmare after nightmare. Gavin held me after every one, which left me in tears. It was one of the worst nights I have ever had. At one point, I stopped trying to sleep and stayed up. Gavin and I cuddled until the sun came up.

Mom helped me get ready. She picked out what I should wear again and put a couple pills of Tylenol and a cup of water on the nightstand. I sighed and pulled the dress over my head, hating how bright it was. It was a bright blue dress that flared out at the ends. It went to my knees, which to me showed too much. The torso was covered in lace. I hated everything about it. I tossed the heels she put out for me in the closet and put tennis shoes on.

I popped the pills and sat down at my vanity to do my makeup. I caked it on.

We all piled into the car and headed to the courthouse. Gavin handed me a plastic bag. I looked at it to find a couple inhalers and a black jacket. I smiled and put the jacket on and putting the inhalers in the pockets. I hugged him tightly. "Thank you, Gavin."

He hugged back. "You're welcome, love. I know you don't want to show too much."

I gave him a peck on the cheek, leaning my head on his shoulder. He kissed my head and wrapped an arm around me. I closed my eyes and enjoyed our last few moments together until we were going to be stuck in that courtroom. Being asked question after question. Statement after statement. Being in the same room... as.. Nathan.

"Hey, Hey. Look at me," a pair of hands turned my face upwards. My eyes opened and I stared into Gavin's eyes. I didn't really I had started to hyperventilate. Again. I instantly calmed down and leaned my forehead against his. This was gonna be a long day.

"Charlotte McWilliams, will you please come to the stand?" I was afraid of hearing that, but I knew it was going to happen eventually. I stood up from where I was after Gavin gave my hand a squeeze. I walked over to where I was directed and followed the orders that they gave me. I followed the Swearing Oath and took my spot on the podium. My heart was racing a mile a minute.

"Miss Charlotte, how well do you know Nathan Adams?" the lawyer asked, gesturing to Nathan. I tried not to follow her gaze and gulped, focusing on them.

"I've known him for a couple years." My voice was shockingly steady.

"And you both dated for about a year, correct?"

I nodded, "Yes, that's correct." My mouth felt so dry.

"How would you explain that year together?"

My heart started to race, I squeezed my hands into fists, digging the nails into my palm to calm my nerves. I looked over at Gavin, who smiled sweetly. It helped calm me a little. "It was... h...horrible." Fuck, my voice was starting to shake. The crowd started to murmur.

"Did he... abuse you often? Physically?"

My mind flashed to the times that he beat me to a pulp. Him slapping me, slamming me into the wall, smashing my face into the floor. Forcing me to make love to him whenever he wanted. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Objection! There is no need for this question, your honor," Nathan's lawyer interrupted. "Do we even have any evidence for this?"

The judge looked over at the lawyer standing in front of me. She gestured at them. "Well?"

"I do." She walked over to her table and grabbed an easel and a few poster. Oh god. They were gonna show all my bruises. I hated that day.

"Alright, Miss McWilliams, we need you to take off your shirt so we can take some photos, okay? It'll only take a few minutes."

I started to cry, shaking my head. "Please. No." It was the night after Nathan got arrested.

"It'll only take a few minutes, honey. I promise."

"O-okay." I slowly took my shirt off, wincing at the pain from the bruises. They took pictures of my neck, my face, my legs, arms, torso. Everywhere. I cried so much. I wanted it to be over.

"Here is the evidence of what the defendant did to Miss McWilliams." The courtroom gasped. "Bruises, hand prints, cuts. She had broken arms, legs, and a jaw at the time and he still abused the victim." My heart raced faster, my breaths shortened. "She was in a car accident and he still abused her." She paused to let the courtroom process the information.

"I.. I," I was starting to hyperventilate. I looked over at Gavin to calm down.

He was mouthing something to me. Tell them the truth.

I nodded. "Miss McWilliam, was Mr. Adams aggressive to you, even as you were laying in your hospital bed recovering from your accident?"

I clenched my fists together, this time not in fear, but for my own justice. "Yes, but, there's something missing."

"Oh?" 

"I wasn't in an accident. At all." More gasps. A growl was audible from the other side of the room.  

I looked over to see a very pissed off Nathan. Who looked very unkept, his hair a mess. His eyes full of rage. He stood up, ignoring the cuffs around his wrists. "You bitch! You fucking weren't supposed to say a word. You should be grateful for what I did for you!"

"Sit down, Mr. Adams!" a couple guards tried to get him to sit down. He fought them, yelling at me.

I started to have a panic attack, shrinking back into my seat. The world growing dimmer as the only person I saw was him. I really made him mad. He was gonna hurt me. 

"Get him out of this room! We will continue this in a couple days," the judge slammed the gavel. All I heard was the screams of the man I once loved being dragged away. I didn't even notice the pair of arms wrap around me as I broke down.