“The court has been notified that Ms. Jackson has accepted a plea bargain from the district attorney in exchange for pleading guilty to a lesser offense,” the judge stated.

My blood boiled as the judge spoke. I wanted that bitch to pay for everything she did to us and to Kayden, but she took the easy way out. She found a way to have her charges reduced from attempted murder to assault and battery. The court found her unable to stand trial earlier due to a mental problem and ordered her into treatment placing her on medication. The court now claims that Lisa is able to make coherent decisions and she weaseled her way into a plea deal. Kayden rubbed my hand as I listened to her words.

“Ms. Jackson you are sentenced to ten years in prison with the possibility of parole in three. Court is adjourned.” The gavel hammered down and the there was nothing more to be done. Kayden squeezed my hand, but I felt deflated by the legal system. Ten years seems unfair for almost killing the love of my life and the hell she put us both through.

The bailiff walked to Lisa and waited for her to stand. Lisa turned slowly as she stood to walk out and looked towards us. She grinned at Kayden and it caused my stomach to lurch and a lump to form in my throat. It was not an “I’m sorry grin”, but an “I’m not done with you yet” one. I’d be at every single parole hearing to make sure that conniving whore stays in prison.

“I fucking hate her,” Kayden said as we watched her walk out.

“She almost killed you and she only gets ten years? It’s unbelievable,” I said standing up.

Kayden wrapped his arms around me, enveloping me in his heat. “We’re free of her for a long time, baby doll. We’ll do everything we can to keep her behind bars. Don’t worry, Sophia.”

I nuzzled his neck, closed my eyes, and inhaled his smell, the scent of home. Kayden had become that to me, made me feel all things were possible, and as a team we could overcome any obstacle. His lips brushed against my temple with a whisper light kiss and calmed my stomach and making me believe everything would be okay.

“Let’s go home. You’re looking a little pale, sweetheart, are you okay?” he said.

I looked up into his big green eyes and smiled. There’s no place in the world I’d rather be in this moment than home wrapped in his arms the rest of the world shut out. “I haven’t felt myself lately. It’s just the stress of the trial; I’ll be okay now that it’s over.”

I stared at the calendar on my desk and tapped my pen against the paper. It had been seven weeks since I’ve had my period and I hadn’t even noticed. The craziness of the trial and the stress of seeing Lisa again made it slip my mind entirely. I dropped my pen on my desk, leaning back in my chair before exhaling and closing my eyes. Could I be pregnant or am I hitting menopause early? I rubbed the bridge of my nose trying to come to terms with either possibility. I’d given up on any chance of a child long ago; I thought age had stolen that dream.