Maya
Leaving the courtroom, I feel like an enormous weight has been lifted from me. Callum received a sentence of twenty-five years with no chance of parole. He is still awaiting sentencing for his attempted armed robbery, which could result in an additional twenty-year sentence. I’m relieved to be finally free of him. I want to forget him completely. For the first time, I witnessed fear in his eyes. I’d never witnessed him being scared until that moment. He isn’t such a tough man now. The bastard deserves everything that is coming to him. All I wanted was to leave this place and forget all the bad that had happened.
Conrad is right beside me, gripping my hand tightly. Cheers erupted from our side of the courtroom after the sentence was announced. Being on that stand in front of everyone and Callum is one of the scariest things I have ever done, but I did it because I needed to. I wanted to show him I am not weak like he thinks, and I no longer feared him.
We’re unable to get to the door because Callum’s two friends soon block the path.
“This isn’t over, Maya, so don’t seem too happy about it.” Damon hisses.
Conrad swiftly positions me behind him before I can respond. His dad, Adrian and two brothers stand beside him.
“It is over. If either of you even tries to come near her, trust me, it will be something you will regret.” Conrad warns.
“You come anywhere near my daughter-in-law or my family, it will be the biggest mistake of your life. I know people, more dangerous than you. Stay away, but let’s be honest, you’ll be joining your friend in no time. You, like Callum, are scum. Soon, you’ll be behind bars, where you belong.”
Conrad’s father’s reaction and his harsh tone caught me off guard, but I also appreciate his support. His friends didn’t look so tough now.
“Step aside, because I’m prepared to knock both of you out,” Chelsea snaps, barging by them.
They soon step aside, and we can finally exit the room. I rush out ahead of everyone else. The moment I step out, I immediately drop and burst into tears. I’m hiding my face in my hands. Yes, the outcome was great, but the last few days have been overwhelming for me.
“Maya, sweetheart, it is over.”
Conrad’s voice catches my attention, causing me to glance upward. He’s also crouching down. He extends his hand and gently brushes away my tears.
“I know, but it has been a lot. I feel completely exhausted.”
Softly, he assures me and caresses my cheek, “Come on, gorgeous, we can go back home. Let’s get out of here. You won’t need to see or think of him again.”
I acknowledge with a nod. Conrad stands and lends me a hand to stand up. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug against his chest. “You are safe now, beautiful.” He whispers and strokes my hair.
I cling onto him tightly. We part after a moment and everyone else gives me a quick hug before Conrad leads me to the car. All I want is to hide away at home for the next couple of days. I need a breather and time doing nothing. Next week, we’ll be flying to Italy, and I can’t wait. Conrad can’t either.
As we drive home, his hand lingers on my knee while I stare out of the window. It’s hard to believe that it’s over. I didn’t expect to be free from Callum. I thought my life would always be at risk. The memories of everything he did to me still haunt me, and I can’t stop wondering what would have occurred if Conrad hadn’t been there when Callum found me again. He would have gotten to me and there would have been a chance he would have been the reason for me not to be in this world anymore.
The thoughts make tears fill my eyes, but I brush them off. No more tears. I’ve shed too many tears for that monster, but not anymore. He is dead to me, and I hope he rots in prison for the rest of his pathetic life. He was confident he wouldn’t be caught, but karma had other plans for him.
“Shall we make a stop for food and coffee somewhere? You’ve hardly had any food in the past few days.”
“I am hungry, but I would rather not stop somewhere. I’d prefer to have food at home. I’d rather not have to deal with anyone.”
“Okay. I can cook us something or we can order in.” he smiles and squeezes my thigh.
“Thank you.”
I return to staring out of the window, lost in my thoughts. I was unaware that we had reached home until Conrad mentioned it.
“Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts.”
“It is okay, angel. There has been a lot happening lately,” he says.
Inside, Conrad disappears into the kitchen to see what kind of food we have.
“How does a homemade cheesesteak sub with curly fries, coleslaw, and a milkshake sound?” he calls from the kitchen.
“Sure, I’d like that.”
It’s exactly the comfort food I’m craving at the moment.
“It won’t be long. Do you want a coffee until it is ready?”
“I’m fine at the moment, thanks,” I answer.
He falls silent, busy making food for us. I hug my knees to my chest and stare out of the window. I still have one concern. Callum knows our address. He could still send letters, but surely, they won’t allow him to do that. I honestly am not sure how it works. If he does, I’ll report him and ensure he’s prohibited from doing it again. It’s time to put an end to this. I shouldn’t worry about this. Callum can’t hurt me or anyone I care about anymore. Instead of worrying about what could go wrong, I should be celebrating.
I collect myself by taking a few deep breaths and pushing him out of my thoughts. I stroll to the kitchen to see if my man needs any help. Quietly, I approach him from behind and wrap my arms around him, nuzzling into his shoulders.
“Do you need any help, my love?”
“No, you are okay. Relax sweetheart. It won’t be long.” He encourages.
He turns around to face me, stroking the hair away from my eyes. “How are you holding up?”
“Better. All I want to do is focus on us, Italy, and our wedding.”
“Yes, we have a lot to look forward to it. I could change the plans and we can fly out to Italy in a couple of days, if you would prefer?”
"As tempting as it sounds, let’s not change our existing plans. It gives us time to get organised before we go. I would also like to invite your family over for dinner to say thank you.”
“I like that plan. We can do it tomorrow night before my brother return home. Or is tomorrow too soon?” he asks.
With a smile, I gently kiss him. “Tomorrow is fine. At least that way your brothers can join.”
“Great. I will call them later. Go and relax.”
Before I vanish back to the living room, he steals one final kiss. I owe a lot not only to Conrad, but to his family. Even after all I’ve done, they still want me to be part of their family. It is a feeling I have never experienced before. A feeling of belonging and being wanted. I truly believed I wouldn’t have somewhere or someone to call home.