Faults ~Levi x Reader AU~

Chapter 32: The Strike

*Contains some strong language*

~28 Weeks and 1 Day Pregnant~

The trial was like hell. Everyday was a new struggle filled with new challenges. Countless questions about my relationship with Andy surfaced. How long were we together? When did we finally break up? Who broke whose heart? What was Andy's reaction? And so many more, but I had one question myself; why did any of that matter? Andy Adler beat me daily, constantly threatening me. He didn't care about me and nor did he love me. He was obsessed with me, but that was never questioned.

And I reiterated that each and every time I was presented with the opportunity to do so. I wanted it to be clear that I was mortified by Andy's obsession and abuse. And I was certain I wasn't the only one. Those two women I had seen were only two other victims he had inflicted his madness on. Besides the three of us, he had also attacked two other women, though they refused to testify. So, Andy's trial weighed down on the three of us who were willing to see him locked up.

But, with each day that passed, the more and more stressed I became. I found it difficult to keep any food down, thus causing me to throw up after meals. Of course, my increasingly strong headaches didn't help either. It was all stress induced, obviously. But, I just pushed it aside and ignored it all. Once Andy was behind bars, then I could focus on my health. That was what I told myself...that was what I promised myself.

"Ms. L/N," Mr. Northwood said, his deep voice vibrating through me. "As usual, I want to thank you so much for being here. I know it's quite tiring." He shuffled closer to me, his eyes filled with sorrow. "I apologize in advance, but could you please tell us what happened within those three days to the best of your knowledge?"

I swallowed. I didn't see that coming. I had no idea Mr. Northwood was going to toss that request my way anytime soon. In fact, we hadn't even rehearsed any of it. He had promised to give a buffer of time to me before he'd drop that sensitive topic on me. But, I could see the desperation in his eyes. The defense was crushing us because Mr. Ly was able to twist everything. Well, almost everything. The two women who agreed to testify alongside me were not as mentally braced as me and they crumbled whenever on the stand. So, it was up to me and the hell I went through.

I chewed on my lower lip and swallowed, "I-I'll do my best."

"Thank you," he tried to smile, but it did not reach his eyes.

I repositioned myself, working to mentally prepare myself. Okay. You got this in the bag, Y/N. You can do this. I breathed in a deep breath. The anxiety balled in my stomach, causing the bile to raise up in my throat, but I just swallowed it down.

I breathed haggardly, "It...it was the worse three days of my life. Three days of...three days of being beaten, three days of being chained up like some kind of animal..." My voice grew hoarse and shaky, my lips trembling. "Three days of torture. He...he was relentless. And...on that final day he...he tried...he was going to...to...I'm sorry."

The tears I had been fighting broke through their barriers, the rivers streaming down my cheeks. I could feel my face burning as I flushed red with the emotions. Images of Andy's evil grin flashed through my mind, the residuals of those horrid moments shackled to my bed pulled at my chest. I felt like my heart was going to burst through my ribs. I was reliving that trauma through my memories, beating me down mentally as if Andy himself was beating me again.

"Take your time," Mr. Northwood instructed, his voice gentle.

"I'm sorry," I sniffled, wiping my tears away. "I can continue." I readjusted my posture and breathed, "As I was saying, on that final day, Andy Adler was going to...initiate a sexual endeavor with me...through force."