Phoenix ✔️

Chapter 34: Objection

"Nicole, after today, everything will be over. You will never have to see that piece of crap ever again. You won't have to deal with him, or just be around him ever again. Don't you worry about it," Elena tells me, with confidence slung around her voice. 

I adjust my clothes a little bit, as I take deep breaths, and fix my hair in the mirror. "Elena, I'm so scared. I can't face him in court today. I can't look him in the eye after everything that's happened today. I don't want to look him in the eye anymore. Please," I say, as Elena runs her fingers through her hair. 

"Sis, don't worry. After this, you're done. And Ash, Dom, Emily, Roy, Lara, Dad, Mark, Elise, and I are going to be there. Hell, Elise is your lawyer. We won't ever let you hang out to dry. Not in his hands," Elena assures. 

Even then, her claims are anything but calming to me. As a matter of fact, the claims are just an enzyme to speed up the reaction of something that I don't want to happen. "Elena, just, no. I can't. I can't stop thinking about it. Everything he's done to me is still fresh in my mind. I just can't stop thinking about it. Oh goodness, is it getting hot in here? I'm so sweaty," I say, as my heart rate starts to accelerate. 

The iron fist presses down on my chest, crushing my lungs and restricting my ability to breathe. I push my hair back with my hands, and I run into the living room. My heart feels like it's going to explode out of my chest with all of the beating. 

My breath feels like someone is controlling it by pushing it with a finger. "Oh gosh, it's so hot. I can't take this," I say, as I pace around the dining room table. 

"Nicole?" Roy asks, as he hurries out of the room. Elena comes following him, as I continue to have a panic attack. I sit down on the couch, to ease myself from the trembling, sweatiness, and just lack of breath, while Roy sits down as well. 

"Nicole, breathe with me. Count. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10," he instructs, slowly, to which I try to obey. I try to follow Roy, and yet, I can't follow his breathing orders. 

"Nicole, you're going to get through this. You're not in danger. You're safe," Elena says, and slowly, the iron fist relieves some of its pressure. "I need you to tell me what you need," Elena demands, and with that, the only thing that I choke out is "Water." 

Elena gets up and hurries to the kitchen to get a glass. Roy scoots closer, and says, "Breathe with me. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10," he says, in a slow, calm voice. I go along with him, and take it one breath at a time. 

Slowly, the iron fist starts to disappear, lifting off of my chest for a short time. Elena comes back with the glass of water, and Roy says, "I'm so proud of you. Great job." I smile, while Elena hands me the glass. 

With my hands still trembling, I take it and let the cold liquid run down my throat. My breathing is still jagged from the stress of everything, while Roy and Elena rub my shoulders. I take a deep breath once more, and say, "Thanks, guys. I needed that." Elena smiles, and says, "We're here for you. Always."

********

"You're going to be okay. I promise," Dom says, with his arms wrapped around me. I hug him tightly, as everyone is waiting outside of the courtroom. At this moment, I need my big brother's comfort. I'm scared shitless right now. I don't want to imagine how facing Colin in court will be, nor do I want to imagine how he will react when he sees me again. 

I nod, and say, "Thanks, Dom. I'm so scared. I don't know if I can do this." 

Emily looks at me, and says, "You're going to be okay. I promise you." 

Dom lets go of me, and I say, "Em, this must be so awkward. You're seeing your brother for the first time in years. And it's in a courthouse. Isn't this going to be kind of awkward?"