Women that say No ll

Chapter 30

The plane ride with Steph was silent. Today had been a long day and nothing that I could have ever imagined.

I cried myself to sleep silently on the plane. Before I knew it, I had arrived to the place of hell.

Steph had made arrangements for a condo but somehow the plans were mixed up and it wouldn't be ready until tomorrow. I was beyond exhausted, so we booked a suite.

The first thing I did was shower and call home to talk to my kids. Even though I spoke to them before leaving I wanted to make sure they were okay after all they had been through.

Gigi refused to talk to me. I found out she saw me attack Cindy so her feelings were up in arms and she hated me for the moment.

After talking to power, I drifted off into a deep sleep and was awaken by Steph kissing the side of my face.

"Baby you need to eat something. I ordered you food." He softly uttered as I came around.

"I'm fine, I don't want to eat."

"You're going to starve."

"I'm fine."

"You haven't eaten in days. I know you ain't ate that jail food. Just please eat the soup if nothing else."

"I can't eat Steph, please."

He sighed knowing he had no room to become frustrated, "I love you more than anything."

"Steph- I don't want to talk about us. My mind is on this case and that's all I'm concerned about."

"You right. Would it be better if I just wasn't here?"

His words shook me fully awoke, realizing he was flipping the switch and seeking sympathy since his apologies didn't work.

"Are you serious, maybe you should go home. Or whatever that fuckin house is, because it isn't home to me. Just go back to the city, File the papers and I'll sign them! I'm too busy for this shit. I have been through enough and I don't have the mind or heart to deal with this."

My nerves wouldn't allow me to sit so I ended up pasting the floor, losing the silence I once held.

"File the paper? Listen to you. I'm going to give you time to think-

"Ohhh like you did when I lost the baby? This is just your favorite move. I'm sick of it Steph."

"You don't want me here Madison. I don't know what else to do."

"How about be there for me and stop making it about you. Or maybe focus on helping me prepare for this trial, rather than deal with the bull shit you're putting me through."

"You right .. you absolutely right. Just- let me be there for you then Madison. Don't push me away. I don't want to lose you."

"Steph do me a favor. I'll allow you to be there for me, but tonight can you please just- please- leave me alone. Let me just collect myself."

That night Steph did just that with not another question asked. He allowed me peace. We slept next to one another but there was no cuddling for comfort. I didn't want the man I barely knew, to put his hands on me. He didn't deserve it.

First thing in the morning I woke up vomiting. The stress, not eating, the trial, and just my entire life had me sick.

Ford had called a thousand times and I just couldn't get out of bed. Steph helped me take a shower and went out to get crackers and ginger ale. It was the only thing I could keep down.

Thank God, because I was finally able to get up and go to his office.

L.a was just like I remembered it. Full of bad memories. While Steph found a parking spot I was eager to meet with Ford so I went into the office.

"Madison it's good to see you, finally."

"Thank you Ford, I apologize for all of the hiccups."

"Yeah, well there's one hiccup we need to talk about." He hummed as I entered his office space.

"What's that?"

"This assault case pending, Rick is definitely going to use that against you, both you and your husband were locked up and where were the kids?"

"Oh brother. I could've guessed that was coming. My kids were left in good hands, Mrs.Youlus was there as an in home nanny, she takes wonderful care of them."

"She May be needed to testify, because as you know how these trials can go. Every little dirty secret you ever housed will be aired out."

"I can only imagine."

"Your husband? Where is he?"

"He's—here."

"He's willing to testify if need be?"

"I'm sure. But- he has a pass similar to mine, not sure if that's the best."

"Well I'll take a look into that, this is going to be a high profile case considering the circumstances."

"I know, I figured that, are you thinking it's going to be tough, lots of media coverage here?"

"It's definitely already made the news paper." Ford sighed sliding the paper to me, where there was a small section dedicated to this case starting.