Partners in Crime ~Completed~

Chapter Twenty One- Surprises

I pace nervously in my living room while I wait. We're leaving around 9:00 and it's only 8:30.

"Babe, relax." Ash says, pulling me onto his lap.

I sigh and lean my head back against him. "I'm nervous. I mean, I have to face him. I'm testifying against him. What if we somehow lose and he...he comes after me?" I say, admitting the fear I've been tossing around for weeks. Emily stands up and sits beside me and Ashton.

She takes my hand in hers and sighs. "I know how you feel, but it'll be okay. You even got pictures of the bruises and cuts. We'll win. We have to." She tries reassuring me. Bianca narrows her eyes at Em.

"How do we even know you're on our side? What if, when you're giving your statement, you say everything against Char? How can we trust you? You're his sister for God's sake!" She says coolly.

Emily faces the floor and hides her face from us. "He hurt me too, you know." She mumbles.

"Didn't stop you from taking his side and helping him cheat." She bites back.

"Bianca!" Anthony, Ash and I scold. Audrey is sitting on the floor with Lily and trying to keep her distracted from our conversation. All the adults are in the other room, mostly preparing Mr and Mrs Regan.

"That was before the accident, which means before he became abusive! It was wrong, I'll admit, but I would've done anything for Eth! He's my brother. You'd do anything for Ashton, right?"

"I know my rights from my wrongs! If Ash wanted to cheat, I wouldn't fucking be helping him!"

"What's fucking?" Lily asks innocently.

Bianca's eyes widen. "Shit um..don't say that. It's a bad word." She says. I send her a look.

"Then what's shit?"

Audrey glares at Bianca and smiles at her sister. "That's also a bad word. Bi is on Santa's naughty list now." She says teasingly. Lily giggles.

"I'm on the nice list though, right?"

We all nod. I want to thank Lily from distracting the girls from an argument. The adults suddenly join us in the room, Mrs. Regan eyeing me and Emily with sad eyes. Her husband has an arm tight around her and Em immediately runs to her parents.

"It's time." Dad says quietly. I stand up, Ash at my side and intertwining our hands. Audrey is beside me with Lily and the other two give me encouraging looks. We all walk out to the cars. Mrs Regan suddenly pulls me and her daughter aside.

"Are you okay, Mom?" Emily asks, shooting me a worried look.

"Yeah yeah I just needed a small favor from you two." She explains with a forced smile. I nod for her to continue.

"I know you've both been a little hurt by him, but do you think you could go easy on Ethan? Leave some things out and give him a lesser sentence? Please? He's my baby boy." She pleads with us.

I cross my arms and shake my head. "I'm sorry Mrs Regan but will all due respect, your baby boy is a psycho. He kidnapped me, almost had me raped, cut me with a knife. I love you, I do. You've always been like a second mother to me but this....this is the kind of request I can't do for you. I'm sorry." I say, avoiding her eyes.

I look to Emily who's face is full of regret. My heart plummets. She's going to do as her mom asks. I'm about to turn away and finally get in the car when she finally speaks.

"I'm sorry Mom, but no. E didn't just hurt us a little. He hurt us a lot. I'll always love him, but his actions need consequences." She takes my hand in hers and pulls me along to the cars, leaving her mother standing there in tears.