Weathered Love

SINGLE

"Look, I'll stop bringing up sex and religion and all that other stuff," Kristoff tried to reason. I wanted to give him another chance. But I knew it would make it much more painful in the future when we did break-up. We were too different, and we had way too different plans for our future... I knew it was headed for disaster if we stayed together much longer.

"You've promised that before, Kris," I pointed out.

"I mean it this time," he swore.

"I don't think you do," I honestly responded. We were walking around the neighborhood. I didn't feel comfortable venturing too far from the house.

"Why not? I'm not like other guys, I'll treat you right if I say I'll treat you right," he insisted.

"And I'd believe you if you hadn't made a habit out of lying to me and breaking promises. It's over. Let's not drag this out," I finalized.

Kristoff stopped walking and grabbed my arms so I could turn to look at him. He looked desperate. "Come on, Ivy. I really am sorry. What more do you want from me?"

"I want nothing from you. Goodbye Kristoff," I concluded, shaking myself free and quickly heading back to the house.

I didn't bother looking back and I hoped against hope that he wasn't following me. I got back to the house, quickly entered and ensured that the door was shut and locked behind me.

"That was fast," Ivan commented from the couch.

"Like ripping off a band-aid," I panted.

Ivan patted the spot on the couch next to him. I sat down and he wrapped his arm around me, then put on something we'd both enjoy. I wrapped myself in the throw hanging off the arm of the couch and let a few tears fall. I might have been hurt by Kristoff, I might have been absolutely sure that we weren't meant to be, but at the end of the day, a break-up hurts, no matter what.

Ivan squeezed me tighter, no doubt sensing my upset, and trying to make me feel better. I just buried my face in his chest, not wanting to watch anything and not wanting to express my pain in any outward manner.

* * *

The trial was grueling. The first day, they had Maria and I testify, and I felt like I was the one on trial. The prosecutor protected me as well as she could, trying to make sure the questions stayed focused on Nolan's actions, but in the end, I had to admit that I was the one who issued the first blow.

Maria was a nervous wreck on the stand, but it worked in her favor. The jury felt bad for her. And she definitely worded her testimony in my favor. The second day was all Catrin. And she was even more of a wreck than Maria was. At one point, it seemed like she might not show up, and we found out that Nolan had threatened her. Which worked out, in a weird way, since they added the charge of witness tampering.

There was so much legal jargon thrown around during that trial, I had no clue what was going on most of the time. All I knew was that I had to be there. To support Catrin and to make sure she felt safe. And supported. Catrin's testimony was the only clear moment in the blur of my memory of those few days.

The prosecutor started off by asking Catrin about the abuse.

"He'd start off just grabbing me too hard when I wouldn't listen to him, mostly my wrist but sometimes my upper arm. Once, he grabbed my thigh so tight and dug his nails in that it pierced my skin through my jeans. The first time he pushed me, it was because I didn't want to spend the night with him in his dorm. He pushed me into the door and yelled, 'There's the door! Leave then you slut!' He thought I wanted to leave so I could sleep with my ex," Catrin stated. She took in a shaky breath.