I don’t let him tell me twice. I snuggle against his body and let him hold me.
“I am so sorry that you lost the most important person in your life.”
Warm tears moisten his chest where my head rests.
“And I know that nothing can ease this pain. But the kids love you. And then there’s Ross, and Mr Yang.” I wait, holding my breath for him to tell me that there is him, too. “You are not alone. And with time, you’ll see, you’ll be able to live with this wound.” He pulls me a little tighter to him and places a kiss in my hair. “Now, try to rest. We have a busy day ahead of us.”
I slip out of his embrace and turn on my side with my back to him, suddenly feeling more alone than ever.
Rowan
“How do I look?” Seth asks me again, adjusting his tie.
I turn to him. “You are fine, as I have told you a hundred times already since this morning.”
“I just want to make sure I look my best.”
I look at him again. The thought of his body slipping through my hands sends a wave of heat and shivers through me.
I want to tell him that he’s always perfect in my eyes. I want to tell him that he doesn’t have to force himself to be something that isn’t him, because I admire everything he is. I want to tell him that his closeness has shaken me and that his kisses have slowly and unexpectedly brought me back to life, but right now I am his lawyer: I have to concentrate and I have to make sure that he concentrates too, and above all that he doesn’t lose his nerve.
“I should have worn my lucky shirt—the pink one, which is also the sexiest. I don’t like grey; It doesn’t go with my skin tone.”
“This isn’t a fashion show, Seth,” I tell him, harsher than he deserves. “And you don’t need to impress anyone.”
“Oh, sure,” his expression is disappointed. “I just wanted to look credible. I thought form was important.”
“It is,” I say reluctantly. “But as I just told you, you’re fine. You’re understated.”
“Understated…” He grimaces. “It just doesn’t suit me.”
“I thought you were willing to do anything to win this case.”
“And I am. It’s just that…”
The judge enters the courtroom, interrupting Seth before he can continue. We all stand up and wait for him to take his seat and declare the trial to begin, then I take a deep breath and focus my strength and thoughts on the case, putting everything else aside for the sake of the children.
* * *
“WHO ARE ALL these experts?” Seth asks at the third psychologist called to testify by the other side.
“Just someone called to fill the judge with chatter, don’t worry.”
“How can I not worry? Have you heard what they say about me? About the influence I could have on my niblings?”
“They are here to do their job, or rather, the interests of the other party, just as I am here to do yours. Please stay calm and leave it to me”.
“Stay calm? Mmm… I can’t promise anything, but I trust you.” His fingers gently squeeze my forearm. An intimate gesture that at another time would have made me smile, but now we’re in court, I’m here in an official role, and even if we’re lying to this court about our relationship, that doesn’t mean I’m ready to show our status to the world.
I sit up straight and fix my tie, ready to stand up and call our witnesses. We also have our own expert, a child psychologist with whom I have worked in the past, who gives a clear insight into the situation the children find themselves in, the family and serene environment, the affection that surrounds them and the fact that Seth has always been a part of their lives, unlike the other party who is a complete stranger to the children.
Then it is the turn of Mr Yang, who proves to be a valuable help and friend to Seth, and a figure of reference for the children. Just as I am about to call Ross, the judge decides to break for lunch.
“How’s it going?” Mason approaches us immediately.
“Good, isn’t it?” Seth replies, then asks me for confirmation.
“Not bad.”
