Chapter 6

Larissa's POV

The courtroom was so quiet, you didn’t even need to pay attention to hear a pin drop. Time seemed to stretch out for an eternity as I waited for the judge to deliver his verdict. My heart was beating away wildly in my chest I feared the whole courtroom could hear it and that it was going to burst out of my chest. I felt nauseous and anxious; I gripped the edge of the table, willing my trembling hands to remain steady.

“…the court finds sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.” The judge announced. “Bail will be granted under strict conditions which is to include electronic monitoring until trial. Do you understand?”

I only fully processed his words when he slammed the gavel down decisively. A wave of relief crashed over me and I nearly collapsed back into my seat. I was so excited I could have hugged the judge but I kept my cool and nodded.

“I understand. Thank you, Your Honor.” I said with a respectful bow.

“Court is adjourned.” The judge announced with another sharp bang of his gavel. The courtroom erupted into hushed murmurs and whispers, but all I could focus on was the weight that seemed to lift off my shoulders.

The prosecutor muttered something under his breath as he packed up, clearly displeased with the judge’s decision but I couldn’t bring myself to care. For the first time, I felt hopeful about the outcome of my trial.

Mr. Carter leaned in. “You’ve got one leg out, Larissa. But this is only the first step; we have to move quickly. I’ll start preparing the defense immediately.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much.” I whispered. This was the most happiness I’d felt since the beginning of the shit storm that was now my life.

“Don't thank me yet, this isn't over” he said. “Mr. Patterson is waiting for you at his estate.”

“Oh,” was all I could mutter, because at this point, I didn’t have much of a choice. In some crazy turn of events, it seemed that Brayden was my only ally in this mess.

As the officers approached to escort me out of the courtroom, I spotted Benjamin and Londyn seated together. They were all over each other, holding hands and whispering hushed words. Seeing them together was like a knife twisting in my chest. I had sacrificed everything, everything, for Benjamin and this was how he chose to repay me?

As I left the courtroom, Benjamin caught me looking and just stared as if I was no different from every other random stranger in the courtroom. I’d never wanted to slap someone more in my entire life.

“Larissa!”

I froze at the sound of my name, the voice all too familiar.

I looked in the direction of the voice, and saw her– my mum. Her face was pale, and her cheeks stained with tears and more streaming down her cheeks.

“Mum?” I choked out as I realized how much I've missed her. I couldn't stop the years that streamed down my cheeks at this point.

“Oh, my baby,” she threw her hands around me so tightly I could barely breathe. “We just got back! What's going on? What happened? Why didn't you call us?”

“I–I didn't want to ruin your vacation,” I muttered.

“We need to go,” the officer said.

“Please don't worry. I'll come see you at home and explain everything,” I said, as the officer gently pulled me away.

…………

After what felt like an eternity of signing paperwork and being fitted with an electronic monitoring, I was eventually allowed to leave. Mr. Carter was already waiting by his car, so I just got in and we drove straight to Brayden's estate.

We eventually arrived at Brayden's estate, and Mr. Carter led me to the grand foyer where Brayden was waiting.

I had to restrain myself from snorting. He was wearing a tailored suit and reading the paper. No non-pretentious person does that. I didn’t even know they still printed newspapers. He peered at us from the top of the pages, eyes lingering on me for an uncomfortable second before he folded the paper and cleared his throat.

But he didn’t say anything so an uncomfortable silence stretched out. I shuffled anxiously on my feet.

“I’ll leave you two to talk.” Mr. Carter said. He gave me a small nod before disappearing out of the door.

At that, Brayden wordlessly gestured for me to follow him, and I reluctantly trailed behind him. He led me through a series of winding corridors. I expected them to be dark and brooding, just like Brayden, but I was pleasantly surprised when they weren’t. The corridors were well-lit by natural and artificial lighting from various sources, and the walls were lined with various framed paintings.

Finally, we came to what appeared to be a study, judging by the large oak desk and imposing bookshelves lining the walls. Brayden took a seat at the office chair behind the desk and then gestured to one of the chairs opposite him. “Sit.” He instructed, leaving no room for argument.

Only when I sat did I realize that the chairs on my side of the desk were significantly shorter than the one that Brayden was sitting on. I knew without anyone telling me that it was some form of psychological intimidation tactic. I sat up straighter in my smaller chair to try not to appear as small, but that did nothing to help my situation.

“I’m sensing you have questions concerning everything that has happened so far. Now’s your chance to ask them.” He started.

“Why are you doing all this? Why are you helping me?” I asked, my voice coming out a bit more high-pitched than I intended.

“I already told you, I can’t stand aside and watch someone else pay the price for Benjamin’s deeds. He needs to be held accountable for his actions. You’re just collateral damage in his wicked game, Larissa.” He fixed his gaze on me. “But you don’t have to be.”

“Yeah, well, I didn’t believe you then, and I don’t believe you now.” I said petulantly. “You’re doing this because of some moral compass you have? That you’re helping me out of the goodness of your heart?”

“Not entirely.” He admitted. “I have my other reasons. Let’s just say Benjamin and I have unfinished business.”

His tone made it clear that he wasn’t going to answer any other questions I asked about that matter so I decided to ask about something else.

“How do I know that I can trust you?”

“You don’t.” He said bluntly. “But right now, I am your best – no, your only – shot at proving your innocence and making Benjamin pay for his crimes. So you have two options: work with me and let me help you untangle the mess my brother made or go back to that cell and hope for a miracle. Though I hear it’s not all that bad in prison: inmates get radio privileges, how exciting.” He said sarcastically.

I hated how logical he sounded; easily he reduced my choices to nothing. Because when he put it like that, what other option did I have than accepting his help? As much as I despised him and the idea of relying on him, I needed to face reality and the reality was that I needed his help.

“Fine.” I said through gritted teeth.

“Glad to see you have some sense in that head of yours. Now, let’s talk about the ground rules.”

“Ground rules?”

“Yes.” He said, his tone businesslike. “This is a partnership, not a friendship. We work together until we prove your innocence, take Benjamin down, and when it’s over, we go our separate ways. You can go back to glaring at me and I can go back to pretending that I don’t notice you glaring at me. Are we clear?”

I nodded.

He frowned and leaned forward in his chair. “When I ask a question, Larissa, I expect a verbal confirmation. Now once again, are we clear?”

“Crystal.” I answered through gritted teeth.