Scornful Revenge

Chapter Twenty-Four

During the next few days, Alice and Tom were busy meeting with their lawyer to prepare for the court date and checking up with her doctor to check on the baby. The night before the court date, Tom could sense something was off with Alice. She was on edge and every little thing that didn't go her way, she'd lash out. In the kitchen, Tom was clearing off the table while Daniel and Emma went to go get ready for bed. Alice was closing the cap on the juice but exhaled sharply when it didn't fit the grooves properly. She tried again and the same thing happened. She set the cap down on the counter and took a breath as she tried again. When it didn't work, she ripped the cap off and threw it at the wall.

"Hey!" Tom called out to her.

She gripped the edge of the counter and panted as Tom rushed towards her. He laid his hand on her shoulder and kneaded the flesh as he looked over her face.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine. It's just this fucking cap won't go on right." Alice snapped.

"Do you need help with it? I can-"

"I don't need help. I can do it myself."

"Okay." Tom took a step back.

He watched as she did her best to bend down and pick up the cap. Watching her struggle, Tom let out a sigh and walked over to her. He bent down, grabbed the cap, and handed it to her. She snatched it from his hand and twisted it onto the bottle with ease. She placed the bottle back into the fridge and as she turned around, she felt a wave of nausea wash over her. She gripped the handle of the fridge to balance herself. Tom furrowed his brow as he warily stepped towards her, seeing her stare at the wall in front of her. Before he could say anything, she put her hand over her mouth and rushed to the counter. She leaned over the sink and vomited. Tom was quick to stand behind her and pull her hair out of the way.

"Alice, are you-"

He cut himself off as she vomited again. After a moment, Alice wiped at her mouth and took a few deep breaths. Tom ran his hand up and down her back as she pulled herself away from the sink to turn on the water.

"I can clean it later." She panted.

"I got it. I can clean it." Tom told her.

"You sure?"

"Yes, I am. Just go and get ready for bed. I'll be there soon once I clean this and check on how the kids are doing."

As soon as Tom finished his task and tucked the two into their beds, he entered his bedroom and entered the bathroom to find Alice slumped over the toilet as she vomited once again. He sat down on the floor with her and leaned his back against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Listen, Alice," Tom spoke softly. "I know that this is all very stressful with what's going to happen tomorrow, but you need to calm yourself down for the baby. I don't want to lose her or even you."

"You're not going to lose me, Tom. I can handle this."
"No... you can't," He replied honestly. "Look at you, Alice. This is not the healthy amount of stress to have. I don't want you making the preeclampsia worse."

"I can't do this, Tom. I can't." Alice broke down.

Her chest heaved as she sobbed, pulling herself away from the toilet. Tom moved closer to her and wrapped his arms around her, exhaling sharply as she cried into his chest. He cradled her head and pressed his cheek against it.

"Yes, you can, Alice. You are so strong." He told her.

"Anytime I think about the court date, all I can remember is everything they ever did to me and George. And I can't see them. I can't do it, Tom. I just can't! I know they're going to do whatever they can to appear all innocent and it's so sick! This is all so stupid but I can't do it. I can't go tomorrow. I can't do it!" Alice vented.