Chapter 122
wright. Her confident stride and the sharp click of her heels are constant reminders of how out of
shake her I can’t help but wonder if she can see right through the mask I’m desperately
anges her ties, her ryn weep the room, landing on Niko briefly, then Mason, before they senle back on me. There’s a certain intensity to
sar me, like she s already disected me in her mind. Its fucking unnerving, but I refuse to let it show,
calord blazer, she crosses her legs with practiced poise “Nika, be a dear and make me some tra, will you?” Her tone is polite but
munen duppearing back into the kitchen
She definitely has a dominant personality, I can already see why King wouldn’t get along with her. So, what the hell was Christine talking Probably just trying to piss me od. Eke Ionally thought
mx back to me, pulling a sleek leather binder onto her lap. “Let’s get started. Isaac’s next move is likely already in motion, and I have no intention of letting him get away with any of this
I nod, my voice barely above a whisper. “Okay”
Before Marinu can continge, King strides into the room, filing it with his usual commanding presence. Dressed in a black cut–off and jeans, his hair falls loosely around his shoulders. My breath hitches Holy shit. He never wears it down like that. The way his lips twitch into a smirk sells me he
inows exactly what he’s doing
why is be doing
Without a word. he crosses the room, scoops me up effortlessly, and settles me onto his lap. His arms wrap securely around my waist, his touch grounding me even as Marina lets our an audible sigh of mild irritation
Maybe the was firing with Gray yesterday, but there is absolutely no sexual tension between her and King. Unless I’m missing something
“King” she says, arching a single, unimpressed brow
“Marina” he replies smoothly, a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Haven’t see you in a while. Iri a miracle you’re staying out of trouble for once.
King & hand brushes over my stomach, his fingers lingering in a way that makes my
mbrari i
Butter. Just keeping it quiet for her
Her gaze shifts to my stomach before returning to him. “Does ac know she’s pregnant yet?”
“No,” he grunti.
“Good. Keep it that way. They don’t need any more
motives:
I don’t need to ask to know what she means. When Base is finally dealt with, all fingers will point to King, and they’ll already have a long list of reasons for why he’d be the one to do it.
Niko reappears, setting a steaming cup of tea and a plate of breakfast on the coffee table. He plants a quick kiss on my forehead. “Eat slow, okay?” he murmurs before retreating to the kitchen with Zuri in his arms.
Marina watches the exchange with a raised eyebrow but says nothing, refocusing on her binder. “Alyssa, do you have your copy of the summons!”
I reach for the document on the end table, handing it to her. She skies it quickly, her pen tapping against her notepad. “You have thirty days to respond. That means we need to act fast. The court will want to see evidence that there’s no reason to remove Zuri from your care.”
1 nod again, the reality of the situation hitting me like a ton of bricks “What do I need to do?”
First, we need to establish your pele as Zuri’s primary caregiver” Marina says, her tone straight–to–the–point. “Photos, receipts, medical records— anything that shows you’ve been there for her day in and day out. Do you have access to those?” She pauses, her pen poised above her notepail waiting for my respons
Inod. “Yes I took everything when I escaped”
“Good” Her pen movely across the page
“Next, what do you
u know about Isaac s finances Assels, property, income?
I chew on my lips. hesitant. “Umm, well first off. I’m not a gold digger”
Chapter 122
Isaac accused me of that plenty of times–not that it was ever true. I didn’t give a damn about his money.
Marina shorts. “Noted
“I honestly didn’t know he had an inheritance or just how wealthy his parents were
were until after we got married. Like they’re old money i
rich
Dirty money from who knows where.
Her brow arches. “An inheritance?”
I nod, forcing the words out. “A million dollars.
Marina takes a slow sip of her tea her expression thoughtful Interesting. And the inheritance came with a marriage stipulation?”
“Yes. But I never touched it. I had my own job until he made me quit after I got pregnanc
Her lips press into a thin line. “And he provided living expenses?”
“Three hundred dollars a week.”
Marina scoffs. “What the fuck is that? I spend twice that just walking out my front door.”
I bet. Her shoes look more expensive than my entire wardrobe.
I shrug. “I made it work. It was just enough to take care of me and Zuri
y belly.
King’s touch remains a steady anchor, even for himself. I can feel the rage radiating from him, but his hand continues to gently caress my
“And how was his relationship with Zari?” Marina asks.
1 sigh deeply, knowing how foolish I’m about to sound for staying with him so long. “He didn’t want anything to do with her, even though he gave me no choice but to have her. Never changed a diaper. Never went to an appointment. Every time she cried around him, he’d threaten to shut her up if I didn’t stop her. The first time he said that, I had to start sleeping in front of her door to protect her.”
Marina’s pen pauses, but her face is unreadable. 1 guess, at least sh
there any reports filed? Any records of his abuse?”
not openly judging me.
I shake my head. “No. 11–He checked my phone every day. He controlled everything”
“Fuck,” she mutters under her breath. This complicares our case.”
I wrack my brain for anything that could be useful. “Unin, I did go to the police once..a Inng time ago, but they didn’t really do anything”
Her eyes narrow. “Tell me exactly what happened.”
I take a shaky breath, trying to keep my voice steady. “1 called the police once and went to the station with them. A young female officer took pictures. Had two black eyes, a busted lip, and bruises on my ribs. Then the chief walked in and told me luar was on his way. For a second, I thought maybe he was coming to tum himself in Tears gather in my eyes, but I quickly blink them away. “But when Isaac got there, he slapped me so hard I hit the wall. The other officers just laughed. The woman looked like she wanted to help, but she couldn’t. Isaac handed the chief a wad of rash, like he was paying for goddamn coffee, and they let him drag me out. I screamed. Begged. So loud I thought someone would step in. No one
King’s entire body stiffens beneath me, his hand tigluening around my waist. The grinding of his teeth rumbles deep in his chest–cach grind a promise of violence. I glance up, meeting Mason’s searing gaze, while Niko stands frozen in the doorway, his face twisted in fury.
When Marina sets her pers downs, her gaze softens–just for a second–before she looks back at me. “I’m so sorry that happened to you That’s absolutely horrifying All of it”
I laugh nervously, the sound hollow. “Um, it’s okay. My fault for actually expecting them to do something. It’s like asking your closeted gay husband to locate your g–spot
Tormige internally. Why the fuck did I say that?
She chicks her tongue against her teeth. “Humor is your defense mechanism, We’ll work on that‘
“Do you remember the
the date and precinct Maybe we can get that officer to talk.
“I do, but what if it puts her in danger?” Task, chewing on my lip again.
Marina’s tone sharpens. Ill ensure it doesn’t put her in harm’s way. But we are getting Isaxe, Alyssa. No matter whi
4 Paper 122
Dù ing pace as king’s hand tightena anund in was his steady strength keeping me from spiraling.
Vks. “Manusavavy after a moment het voce cuting though the tension like a blade “Well detailing the abuse. Every is slem your cats my member
statement from you. Alyssa A written alledern
Thecae, os chos tightening. Telling that our sony was handenongh, rach word opening wound that had sated over that writing it all denen? Poning my pantum paper for others to disses and poder? Shit for the shanight makes my stomen is clamu. Tim not sine Enestrong i
King ships besosh now temple as it be can read my mod. You don’t have to dost alone, kitten Hemember, we’ve got you. All of us”
Atarina gives a cat nad. “We’ll also need condensing minesses, it possible. Friends, neighbors–anyone who saw or heard anything?”
in vowe smaller din 14 like. “Tam was careful. He made sine to one mumble his chicle kurw he was a monster?
What about the video?” Mason win, how jaw tight with anger. “We could them as leverage, get those
se prople to turn against him”
Marina smuks family, a ghink of anmisement in her eyes “Legally, I can’s advise you to do But when have you guys ever followed the rules?” Then, het expression shifts, het gare landing findly on King King, you absolutely cannot go anywhere near his linse, workplace–nothing Well, supone of you should do that, but especially not you”
Fuse King grunts at acknowledgement, but the tension rolling off his makes it clear he’s not happy about it.
Alyssaches ky her watch, already wenching gears. “TI begussdrafting the paperwork tonight. Alyssa, I need you to start wor Ing on your statem and gather those soxurment, we talked abou. Can you do that?”
| ww allow hard and not “Okay”
Good Tilbe mooch within the next few days” She stands, gathering her files. Her heels click against the floor as die heads towards the door, pasang at the thursheld to glance back. A small, reasoning saule softens her features. “And Alyssa?”
“Yes” My vower wANTIS
woww wavers just slightly
Don’t underestimate yourself. You’ve already survived the worst, , and you’re going to survive this too”
Before I can respond, she leaves, the door clicking shot belsund her, but her works linger long after she’s gone.
୦
色
AD
Comment
