All Chapters of Thorn: Chapter 101 - Chapter 106

No one argued with me and we were guided through the courthouse and into the courtroom. We took a seat near the front with members of the public. There was an area at the back reserved for selected reporters. I held my hands tight in my lap and fidgeted trying to find a comfortable position, but I couldn’t. Nick placed his hand over mine. I gave him a small smile. He leaned in and whispered in my ear. “We can leave at any point; just squeeze my hand and we will leave.” I nodded. The doors opened and in came the lawyers, followed by Dan. My breath caught in my throat, and I stiffened as he looked at me and smiled. It felt sinister somehow. Nick squeezed my hand, and I shook my head. I watched them take Dan into the glass box at the side and he settled into his seat casually like he was at home while the lawyers took to their tables, moments later in came the prosecution lawyers we had been speaking with. The judge was next to follow and then the jury. The judge confirmed with the jur

Dan carried on shouting and as my mind flashed back to memories, my stomach bubbled, and I threw up over the stand. The judge called a break, and the courtroom was cleared. I headed to the bathroom to clean up before heading back in and retaking the stand. “Leila, can you tell me why you were sick?” “The memories, the thought of him touching me,” I paused and shook my head as I remembered him near me, “It makes me feel sick. I was sick several times during that time.” “Nothing further.” My lawyer sat back down, and I was excused from the stand. As soon as I took the seat next to Nick, he grabbed my hand and pulled me into him. He wrapped an arm around my waist and held my hand with his free one. I thought he’d be mad about me not telling him about calling Dan, but he was just happy for me to be there. He stroked my knuckles softly as we sat, and the next few witnesses were called. Day 5, 6 and 7 were similar to the first few days. Lots of witnesses, evidence and testimonies.

Nick grabbed my thigh so tight it almost hurt. I gripped his hand, and he released me quickly. “Sorry,” he mouthed at me. I was in shock. This time Dan walked out with the guards without a fuss. The drive home was silent. I collapsed into Nick’s arms when we got back to the apartment. “It’s over,” I said. “It’s over.” He confirmed. “What now?” I asked. “We live our life. We look to our future.” He nuzzled my nose. “I kind of have a surprise and I hope you’re not going to be mad.” “Uh-oh.” He pulled a set of keys from his pocket. “Keys?” “I bought a house in the countryside. One just like what you wanted.” “You’re kidding!” He shook his head. I couldn’t believe it. I jumped into his arms and crashed my lips onto his. “When can we go?” “Now.” He smiled. The house was exactly like the one I described to him. Within a week we moved out of the apartment and into the house. I officially joined Thorn cider and helped Nick with running a branch of the compan