Detached

CHAPTER 71

*RIYANSH'S POINT OF VIEW*

We returned back from our small vacation a week ago and things have been quite different since then.
Meera herself had changed slightly in the last couple of weeks. As the trial drew nearer, she became a little flaky and kept going off into her own little world, often completely oblivious to everything around her. Her work was suffering, deadlines were being missed, but luckily her professors were already going easy on her because of who her father was. For the last two days, Meera had barely eaten anything, barely spoken, and I'd almost forgotten what her smile looked like. But, true to her word, she hadn't shut me out. We'd spoken numerous times about the trial and what would happen. Although she'd been quieter, and was clearly suffering inside, she hadn't had the breakdown yet that I was sure would come. I'd been keeping a close eye on her, even to the point of checking her arms while she slept to make sure that she'd not been hurting herself, but thankfully, she hadn't.

The day before the trial was due to start, the prosecution lawyer paid us another visit, again reassuring her that she shouldn't be called into court. He'd predicted that the retrial would last no longer than a week and then it would all be over. She'd just nodded politely the whole time, holding my hand in a vice-like grip that almost cut off the circulation in my fingers.

That night, we finally went to bed. That seemed to be where most of her talking was done. It was almost as if she waited for the lights to go off or something. I figured it was easier for her to talk about it when no one was looking at her.

As she scooted over to me and set her head on my chest, I wrapped my arms around her tightly. "Are you okay, Princess?" I asked quietly.

"Yeah, I'm good," she whispered.

Frowning into the darkness, I rolled to the side and tangled one hand into the back of her hair, holding her securely against me. "Everything's going to be fine tomorrow," I assured her, dipping my head and kissing her cheek softly. That did it, the floodgates finally opened and she burst into tears.

I stroked her hair, knowing that there was nothing I could say or do to make her feel better as she sobbed uncontrollably onto my chest. Her whole body hitched and shook as her tears pooled on my skin and her breathing came out in ragged gasps. Her fingers dug into my back, clutching me closer to her as she cried her heart out.

After almost an hour of heart breaking sobs, she finally drifted off to sleep in my arms. I already knew I wouldn't be able to sleep well tonight. Anger simmered inside me as all I could think about was the photos that I'd seen in her file. The bruises and broken bones that had been documented on the day that she'd been rescued flashed before my eyes. I felt sick. I rolled onto my back, keeping one arm around her, and then I just lay there, staring at the ceiling for a couple of hours before I fell into a restless sleep.

I woke early in the morning. It was only just after six. Meera was stretched out across my chest, still sound asleep. It made a change for her to be lying on me instead of the other way around. I trailed my fingers up and down her back, enjoying her closeness. This week was going to kill me. Seeing her upset like that every day was going to be pain like I'd never experienced. I lay there, watching her for another hour until she stirred, scooting closer to me and making a little sleepy groaning sound as she kissed my chest softly. When she tilted her head up, I saw that her eyes were a little bloodshot and slightly puffy from crying for so long.

I reached out and brushed her hair from her face. "Morning, Princess," I greeted, smiling sadly.