Page 222 of Chasing Hope

Turning my head, I reach over, clutching my brother’s cold hand tightly as cuffs are placed on Marcus Ellington’s wrists, his head and chin held high despite it all as he’s removed from the courtroom.

This is the last time I’ll ever see my father.

I’m not sure what I was expecting but Caleb is sitting as still as stone, his gaze laser focused on the door Marcus was led behind. He clenches his teeth so hard I’m surprised I don’t hear his molars snap.

I’m not the only one who has been impacted by everything, and it isn’t just Matteo who’s been bearing the brunt and helping me carry the heavy load, either. Caleb has also been impacted. He hasn’t been the same since my birthday, not since the night all the puzzle pieces clicked into place and he saw Marcus not as his dad but as something far scarier.

And staring at my brother now, I’m scared about how much this has affected him.

Before I can say anything, the doors to the courtroom open and everyone inside makes their way out, vacating the rows. I can imagine most of the women are hoping to leave their baggage in this room.

I know I wish I could.

“Ready to go?” Matteo whispers in my ear.

Looking at the now-empty courtroom before us with no judge, no security guards, and no Marcus, I dip my chin, rising on surprisingly strong legs. That is, until I turn around and see Sarah Martin.

My body locks up, freezing entirely as I come face-to-face with the one person I know I should speak to yet haven’t been able to.

My childhood best friend.

The one that suddenly deserted me after a sleepover we had.

Caleb must follow my line of sight because he leans in and whispers, “You should talk to her, Evie. You both deserve a conversation.”

I try to respond to my brother, try to say that I want to, that I desperately want to know what happened all those years ago, even though I already deep down do.

What I’m truly afraid of is hearing if she blames me.

I know I would. I know I’d be angry toward that house and toward that man and toward the friend that led me through the doors with a smile on her face, all the while knowing the monster that lurked inside.

I was far too young to realize that when my father said that I was his special little girl and that only I could show him the love he deserved, he was lying. That he was grooming me to believe that love equaled pain. I couldn’t have known he was hurting others. He made me believe that all daddies did that to their little girls despite the tears and muffled screams.

Yet looking at my old best friend, I know I had a role to play.

After all, it wouldn’t have happened to her if she hadn’t been my friend.

“Dove?” Matteo whispers softly as Sarah waits for my move.

Exhaling a shaky breath, I murmur, “I’m going to go talk to her.”

“Are you sure?”

The note of concern in his voice is evident. Turning to face him, I lift my hand and gently cup his cheek. “I’ll be okay. I always am.”

His eyes flick back and forth betweenmine, searching, probing to see if I’m telling the truth. “Why don’t we walk across the road to the park? You two can walk and talk, and Caleb and I will stay on a bench nearby just in case you need us.”

My sweet man, always protecting my heart and my growing wings.

“That sounds good.”

Leaning down, he places a featherlight kiss on my cheek. “We will be right behind you.”

Caleb squeezes my shoulder. “Kieran is going to grab us all lunch, enough for Sarah, too, if she wants to join. You’ve got this.”

“Thanks, C.”

Taking a steadying breath, my hand slides off Matteo’s body as I slowly approach Sarah, my steps growing heavier with each one I take, the fear within me rising at what I’m worried she’ll say.