Free (Sequel to Through The Dark) Complete

Chapter 78

Julie went into the conference room where she and her attorneys had come before and after the trial each day to brief and debrief. They asked her to wait for them so that they could speak with her before she left. She sat down on Harry's lap after he pulled out a chair and sat down on it. She'd sent everyone else home so that they could have some time before coming to Harry's later. Julie laid her head on Harry's shoulder when he wrapped his arms around her waist. She hadn't said a word since she'd thanked everyone for their coming to court every day and for their testimony and told him to take her home.

"Hey, beautiful, are you ok? I was expecting a bit more excitement now that it's over." Harry said to her closing his eyes as he felt her warm breath on his neck.

"I'm glad it's over. I'm glad he couldn't prove any of his lies. I guess I'm just not quite convinced it's real yet. The judge can say all he wants, but how much of it is true? Can he really keep Johnny away? Besides him being in jail, what guarantees that he won't come back and try again?" Julie picked her head up and looked in Harry's eyes. "I've believed twice that he was out of my life, and I've been wrong both times."

"This is different though. He tried his luck, he knows that we won't pay, and he couldn't get a judge to believe him." Harry ran his thumb over her cheek. "Plus, he showed himself at the end when it wasn't going his way."

"But it seemed too easy. They spun everything that Panda said, and Zayn said, and even tried with the expert witnesses, but with me, they couldn't come up with anything other than I was mentally not all there?" Julie shrugged. "I don't get it."

"The judge even said it. They didn't expect you to actually get up on the stand and tell your story in detail. Johnny and his lawyer were expecting you to either break or me not to let it happen. And I wanted to pay him so many times, but you wouldn't let me. Julie, you're so much stronger than you believe. What you did is amazing." Harry encouraged her squeezing his arms around her. He still didn't understand how she couldn't see what she had done, the bravery she had.

Julie was about to respond when Nate and Marc walked into the room. She stood up and went and sat in her own chair. She rested her hands on the table and prepared herself for what she expected to be some catch. Everything, especially Johnny, couldn't just go away that easily.

Marc reached over and put his hand over Julie's hands which were still clasped together on the table. "You did wonderfully. I know it was hard, but I'm proud you went up there and told the truth, and you didn't back down when they tried to confuse you."

Nate nodded in agreement. "It didn't go perfectly. But it did what we intended it to do. The judge spoke to us just now, and as we explained, the statute of limitations for prosecuting Johnny for the assault charges is over. For both Wisconsin and Nevada. Civilly, the judge advised that we could collect damages from him if you so wanted. As you advised us prior, we asked for the judge to redo the order of protection instead. If Johnny comes within visible sight of you, he will be arrested and charged to the maximum extent of the law, he will then have to do prison time and pay restitution."

Marc continued for Nate. "The judge did agree to send him to prison for his disrespect for the court though, so Johnny will be spending some time in the California prison system, but he said he will have him moved out of LA and sent back to Wisconsin as soon as he's released."

Julie nodded through their explanation. "Well, I guess it's better than nothing."

"It also is illegal for him to now sell his story if it has anything to do with you, Harry, or your circle of friends." Nate continued. "If he tries, he has to donate the money to a charity of your choosing and also do more time."