LUNATICS || Gotham²

04 || Reunions and Regrets

The courtroom was oppressive silence as he stood before the crowd, his voice sharp with rage and contempt. His eyes narrowed at his children, who sat on their bench with tear-streaked faces, listening to him. Reese could barely hold back her sobs, and Edward, seated beside her, clenched his jaw, doing his best to keep his composure.

The past half hour of trial had been pretty difficult for both, excruciating, listening to the vast majority of their life being laid bare for the court. Bruises, burn marks, and broken bones. Emotional and psychological trauma. All presented like simple exhibitions.

Nearly thirteen years of parental abuse...

Thirteen.

A million things raced through Reese's mind as she stared at the man who was once her father. She scrutinized every expression, every movement he made as he revealed his skewed version of the truth. There was no remorse. No guilt. Although she had experienced it firsthand, the absence of humanity in him hit her hard. Only a day ago, this same man had cursed Edward for trying to take her away, and he had tried to drag her back into the broken home.

Today, that same man didn't exist.

It had all been an act to provoke pity. Reese knew that well. She knew his tricks. Robert Nashton was capable of playing any role, especially designed to guilt-trip her into feeling like she was the problem. Like she was the monster for walking out of his life. But not that time. She had no desire, not a single intention, to forgive him, not after all the scars engraved on her.

The man in front of her wasn't looking for redemption anymore. He had given up on himself and them a long time ago. And instead of sadness, all Reese felt was pity.

"No, I don't feel guilt for what I did."

His words shattered her heart into tiny little pieces. She heard the lawyers bickering, one trying to plead insanity on her father's behalf, but it all felt so distant. She hung her head low, fighting back tears of embarrassment and shame.

The judge's eyes flickered with barely contained anger, "Do you love your kids, Mr. Nashton?"

"I regret them," Robert replied unhesitantly.

The courtroom buzzed with murmurs. A pained, broken whimper escaped Reese's lips, her eyes squeezing shut in agony, and she covered her face. Edward frowned, his heart aching as he pulled her into his arms. He rested his cheek on top of her head, trying to offer what little comfort he could. His own eyes stung with unshed tears, but he stayed for her.

His arms squeezed her softly, rocking her body to try to calm the girl. Her hands turned into fists as he clutched his jacket tightly. It was killing her inside.

"It's okay," he whispered. "I'm right here."

Time passed slowly in the courtroom, each second felt like an eternity. Reese blocked it all out — the talking, the shuffle of papers, even the faint air conditioning. Before she knew it, the jury had been dismissed for deliberation. The moment the door shut behind them, a weight had settled in her chest. Edward squeezed her hand gently, but Reese didn't respond, unable to. She was lost in the wooden desk before her, forcing herself to forget her father's voice.

Miraculously, the jury returned sooner than expected. A wave of anxiety washed over the siblings and perhaps the entire courtroom. Soon, they were waiting for the judge to read out their decision. Their pulse quickened.

"We, the Jury, find the defendant guilty on all charges." The judge started reading off a paper in his hands that had been delivered to him. The words hit Reese like a gust of wind, and she had to sit down. "The plea of insanity is rejected. Mr. Nashton is hereby sentenced to 15 years in Blackgate Penitentiary."