Chapter 77

Annie and Lily sit on either side of me in the gallery behind where my lawyers and Derek wait.

“You’re doing great, babe,” Lily assures me.

“I can’t believe you’ve kept us much from us,” Annie adds.

I let a pfft exhale from my lips. “How do I possibly tell you everything? I’ve been spiraling.”

“That’s on us to figure out, not you.” Annie wraps her arm around mine. “We’re your best friends, Esme. We want to be here for you when you’re going through a rough time.”

Lily nods, wiping a stray tear from my cheek. “You can’t think we’ll abandon you at the first sign of trouble.”

“Well, Lily won’t, but it might depend on the mood that day.” Annie winks.

“There’s still so much more,” I say, defeated.

“And we’ll get through it together like we always do.” Lily takes my other free hand into hers. “There’s no way in all hell that Ryan will walk away today without a scratch on him. You’re not someone to be messed with, Esme.”

Annie agrees. “Yeah, you’re just the one to make jokes with and maybe be the one to bring around the hotties that may walk up to you in a bar after you announced you were getting a divorce.”

Eyes travel to Derek while he speaks in hushed tones with my lawyers. It’s true. He’s been by my side through each battle. Whether I’ve told him to run or begged him to stay, there’s no question he’s been helping keep me sane and genuinely cared for.

I could never dream of having Derek, Bea, and Tris on my own. I thought Ryan and I would get our kid or two, and our lives would just be an extended, fun adventure.

Yet, my time with Derek and the girls has brought me more happiness than ever.

I’m still learning how to be this version of myself. But the truth is, today’s trial has been made essential to me.

“Thank you for being here today,” I tell the two women. I look from one to the other. “I really needed it.”

I hug the two of them tightly. I appreciate both of them more than I can express.

“No more keeping massive secrets from us, got it?” Annie pokes me with a perfectly manicured finger.

Lily’s brown eyes shine as she nods her own head in response to Annie. Her hair moves in time with the movements. “Otherwise, we’re going to have to fight you.”

I sniff. “You couldn’t take me.”

“No, but the two of us against you? You won’t stand a chance.”

We hold one another tighter, and I let my tears continue.

They’re happy tears.

I’m so blessed to have the best of friends. How can anyone imagine their own life without the people they love?

“This seems like a nice moment,” Derek’s voice appears above us. We look at him, giggling quietly to ourselves. “You ladies mind if I steal Esme away?”

We go back to our table next to the lawyers. The suits continue talking amongst themselves, so Derek sits on the table's edge while I sit in my chair.

“You seem better.”

I cover my mouth before my heart, shaking my head in disbelief. “I don’t deserve those two. They’re truly the best.”

He smiles back. “I can tell. They’ve proven themselves to be true companions. If I’m being honest, it makes me a bit jealous.”

“Jealous?” I raise a brow.

“The people I’m closest to are eight and four.” His smile turns sheepish. “I don’t have friends like that in any capacity.”

I push his leg with my fingers, wanting to tease him. “I heard your next-door neighbor is pretty cool. Maybe she’s that friend for you.”

He breathes a laugh through his nose before looking around the courtroom. “Maybe so.”

I look back at the empty Judge seat, sighing. “Do you think we’ll know soon?”

“Judging by everything Townson said, the way she snapped at both Ryan and Preston, I don’t doubt you’ll win.”

I breathe slowly, looking back at my boss. Derek’s tall stature and suit bring me all the way back to the bar. My anniversary. The day Derek came to the bar in his suit with a Peppa Pig sticker hanging on.

I want so badly to grab him and kiss him. A thank you for the past several months of support, kindness, and trust.

If we were alone. Not Ryan, merely fifteen feet away with my back to him, my friends sitting waiting in earnest, and the other lawyers surrounding us.

It’s a strange feeling to want Derek so badly after everything. It’s a twisted fate I never imagined when Ryan handed me the divorce papers. None of this could have been predicted.

“I don’t have enough words to thank you.”

He puts his hand up to stop me. “Not necessary.”

But it doesn’t sit right with me. I can’t just drop the conversation.

“No. I mean it all. Thank you, Derek. I can’t…I wouldn’t be here without you.”

His cheeks turn a shade pinker. But he doesn’t get a chance to answer.

“All rise for the Judge.”

Everyone’s attention shoots to the front of the courtroom. The hushed conversations cease, and we all jump to our feet in anticipation of Judge Townson re-entering the room.

“You may be seated,” she waves.

We sit, and for some reason, my hands go in two separate directions.

My right hand rests on my stomach.

My left hand grabs Derek’s hand under the table. I squeeze it tight. I don’t bother to look away from the judge for fear.

“Before we begin, I want to preface this with one thing: the process of this divorce has clearly brought out the darkness in this case. Knowing what I know now makes me certain my choice is the right one.”

Judge Townson looks at Ryan and his lawyer. “Mr. Price. It is my opinion that you asking for a divorce on your own anniversary, much less due to impregnating your wife’s cousin, is appalling to me.”

Preston opens his mouth, but he’s too slow. “Hold your tongue, Mr. Preston. I’m not finished.”

The other man nods.

“As I was saying. You could have stayed quiet. Filed for divorce, then had your lawyer work on tactics to help you win. Instead, you chose to be hostile and an aggravator.”

Ryan’s face doesn’t move from Townson’s. What is he thinking?

“Furthermore, not only did you know about the restraining order, but you broke it on numerous occasions, even going so far as to rape your wife to silence her.” Ryan says nothing, but the judge narrows his eyes. “Am I correct, Mr. Price?”

He nods once.

“With your own baby at risk, it’s of my opinion that the worst thing for your unborn child is that you be allowed anywhere near it. You did everything to intimidate your wife, and it will give you everything you deserve.”

She writes something down as the room sits in utter silence. A pen could drop, and we’d all hear it.

“Mr. Ryan Price, I approve of your divorce with Miss Esme Price. But your rights? Those are stripped. I’m granting the new restraining order to Esme and the fetus. You aren’t to come within five hundred feet of the two of them; you are ordered to pay child support, and you will rightfully receive nothing.”

Ryan stands, slapping his hands on the table. “Are you kidding me? She’s the reason I look like this! She’s the monster!”

Preston puts his hand on Ryan’s arm, who yanks it away. Ryan’s still shouting at the judge. “I gave her everything in that marriage! She would be nothing without me!”

Ryan rushes the judge while continuing to scream.

“Guards!” Townson calls, banging her gavel on the table. “Take this man away from me before I claim him in contempt! And while we’re at it, Officer, make sure you read the idiot his rights due to attempting to rape his wife.”

The room erupts into chaos, Preston following Ryan and the officer out the door. Seeing Ryan in handcuffs thrills me.

I’m no longer his wife.

No longer Esme Price.

I’m once again Esme Thorne.

“You did it!” Annie and Lily run up to me and start jumping up and down. The two hug me tight.

“We need to celebrate immediately!” Lily says with wide eyes.

“Ransom’s Tavern at six!” Annie agrees.

“Tonight?” My jaws slacked.

“Yes. Come on, this is what you deserve.”

“They’re right, Esme,” Derek agrees. He puts his hand on the small of my back. “You have been through more than most these past few months.”

My cheeks flush. They’re right. A small celebration is deserved.

I grin at the group. “Okay, yes, let’s do it.”