Chapter 100 – Second Court Date

Chapter 100 – Second Court Date
(Eden’s POV)

The courthouse smelled like polish and paper again, but this time I didn’t shake walking in. I still felt the tightness in my chest, but after days in the penthouse with Harper and the twins, after laughter and tears and being held through the worst of the nights, I felt steadier.

Levi’s hand brushed mine as we moved down the hall. “If you want to leave at any point—”

“I won’t,” I cut him off. My voice was softer than steel but just as sharp. “Not until I hear what they try to say this time.”

Luca gave a small nod of approval, his palm pressing lightly against my back. “Then we’re with you. All the way.”

Inside, the benches filled faster than before. Reporters whispered, pens ready. Every eye felt like it was waiting to see if I would crumble.

I didn’t.

The side door opened, and Daniel walked in with the same false composure, shackles clinking faintly at his wrists and ankles. He still carried himself like a detective instead of a defendant, chin raised, eyes sharp.

The moment he saw me, his lips curved. That thin smile again. It made my stomach twist, but I forced myself not to look away.

“All rise.”

We stood. The judge entered, settling behind the bench. The prosecutor, Patel, stood tall, her navy suit crisp, her folder thick with tabs.

“Your Honor,” she began, “we’re here today for pre-trial motions and to confirm the indictment. The People are ready to proceed. The charges remain kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence.”

Daniel’s lawyer rose. “We’re moving to dismiss on grounds of coercion and diminished responsibility. Mr. Cross was under extreme psychological stress and believed he was acting in the complainant’s best interest—”

I almost laughed out loud. Best interest. That room. Those showers. That voice telling me I was ruined. My hands clenched into fists in my lap.

Patel’s voice was razor sharp. “The defendant confined Ms. Hayes against her will for over three months. He forced her into repeated scalding showers, restricted her movement, and threatened violence against her loved ones. There is no ‘best interest’ defense for torture.”

The judge’s gaze slid to me. “Ms. Hayes, are you prepared to testify at trial?”

My throat tightened, but I lifted my chin. “Yes, Your Honor.”

Daniel shifted suddenly at the table, his cuffed hands flexing. “She’s lying,” he said, his voice carrying easily across the room. “She came to me willingly. She wanted me. She always did.”

The words were a knife. My pulse spiked, but before the panic could take root, Levi’s voice cut through, low and furious. “You’re delusional.”

The bailiff barked, “Order!” but Luca leaned in closer to me, his whisper steady in my ear. “He’s trying to rattle you. Don’t give him the satisfaction.”

I straightened, focusing on the judge. “With respect, Your Honor, I did not go willingly. He took me. He hurt me. And he threatened the people I love.”

The judge nodded once, making a note.

Patel pressed forward. “The People also have text messages, DNA, and corroborating witness testimony. The defense’s argument of ‘diminished responsibility’ is unsupported. We move for a trial date within sixty days.”

Carson, Daniel’s lawyer, tried again. “My client is a decorated detective. He has support from the department, from the community. We request psychiatric evaluation before any trial schedule.”

Daniel turned toward me, his voice dropping into that same poisonous tone I knew too well. “Eden, tell them. Tell them you still feel me. That you always will.”

My blood ran cold. The gallery gasped.

Before I could react, Luca shot to his feet. “Enough.”

The judge’s gavel slammed. “Order! Mr. Cross, you will not address the complainant directly.”

Daniel only smiled, teeth bared in something that wasn’t joy. “She’ll come back.”

Levi’s hand closed around mine, iron strong, his voice a whisper only I heard. “Never again.”

The judge’s tone was final. “The defense’s motion to dismiss is denied. The request for psychiatric evaluation is granted for assessment purposes only, but trial will proceed. The defendant remains remanded without bail. Next date: thirty days.”

The gavel struck, echoing like thunder.

Daniel was hauled to his feet, his shackles clinking as deputies dragged him toward the side door. His smile lingered until the last possible second, but this time, I didn’t see power in it. I saw desperation.

When the door shut, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

Patel leaned toward me. “You did well. Don’t underestimate how powerful your presence is.”

I nodded, though my knees were shaking.

As we left the courtroom, the press swarmed again, cameras flashing. But this time, when the questions came—“Eden, did you consent?” “Do you fear him?”—I didn’t shrink.

“No comment,” I said firmly, walking between Luca and Levi. My voice didn’t break.

Harper squeezed my hand, proud tears in her eyes.

Outside, under the wide gray sky, Luca finally spoke. “He doesn’t get to write your story anymore.”

Levi added, his arm wrapping protectively around me, “From here on, it’s only us. Only love.”

And for the first time, the courthouse didn’t feel like a place of fear. It felt like the ground where Daniel’s lies began to crumble, piece by piece.