Hayes walks over to help and offers Eric some sage advice. “I’d stop talking if I were you.”
He reads his rights, and then they walk him back down the aisle toward the back doors. Josephine follows them, crying into her hands as her lawyer vehemently speaks into his phone. I watch them go, and when they disappear through the doors, my eyes find Lily’s.
She’s watching all this wide-eyed, her mouth slightly ajar, and she shakes her head when she sees me watching her.
“On that note,” my lawyer says, turning to the judge. “I propose my client is given full custody, pending the investigation of Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook, and seeing as my client’s son will likely be eighteen by that point, I propose that this hearing is closed.”
Judge Ranker, who has now started to sweat, hastily agrees. “Full custody will be granted to the father, Theo Sylvis.”
I nearly collapse when he bangs his gavel and scurries out of the courtroom.
“Dad,” Tanner says, and I roll my head to meet his gaze.
“Yeah, kid?”
“Can we go shopping to get stuff for my room?”
A smile breaks out over my face. “Of course, kid.”
He smiles back. It’s one of my favorite sights. “Cool. I’ll see you at home.”
Tanner walks out of the courtroom, leaving me with my lawyer.
“Why did Judge Ranker look like he’d seen a ghost when he ran out of here?” I ask.
Mr. Abbott doesn’t look up from packing his briefcase when he says, “I suspect he’s afraid of what might turn up in Eric’s financials when they are investigated. After all, Judge Ranker loves a good bribe—it’s just never been proven.”
He’s so nonchalant about it that I have to laugh. Sticking out my hand, I offer it to him. He finally looks up from his briefcase.
“Thank you for what you did for my kid,” I say, clasping his hand.
His hard exterior breaks a little when he says, “Anytime.”
He lets go of my hand, and I turn toward the only person I haven’t had a chance to speak to. But when my eyes land on where Lily had been standing before, I find it empty.
She’s gone, and maybe it’s for the best.
Chapter 37
Lily
After the hearing, I make myself get out of bed, but that is the extent of my ambition. My weekday routines have been thrown out the window, and I’m walking around like I imagine a ghost does. Aimlessly, without purpose. With Eric being arrested, the decision for my job is up in the air. I’ll find out soon enough at the board meeting, and if they decide to terminate my contract, I’m not sure what’s next. As far as the Birdies. I’ve all but given up on that. I’m not sure I deserve it all that much, anyway.
One more week passes, and then MJ shows up at my door. Well, more like she bursts through it without a care for personal property or space.
“Get up,” she says walking through the door as if she owns the place. “We need to talk, but first, you’re going to get out of this house..”
I’ve moved from the bed to the couch and managed to brush my hair, but I’m still a far cry from presentable.
“Sorry. Can’t,” I say, indicating the television. “I have a show to watch.”
I can’t even tell you what’s playing, but MJ doesn’t need to know that.
Unfortunately, this is MJ I’m talking to, and she doesn’t really take no for an answer.
She narrows her eyes, and I won’t lie—it’s a little terrifying.
“You look like your mom when you make that face,” I say, popping a piece of popcorn into my mouth and turning my attention back to the television so I can stare through it.
