Chapter 81

~~Julie~~ It’s the afternoon of the trial, and I don’t know why I’m nervous. This is what I’ve wanted for weeks now, to be out of this cage. Hell, I’ve dreamed about it. To be free. To leave Ryan and his web of lies and manipulation behind. To go wherever I want, with whomever I want, without looking over my shoulder. But as I get closer, my heart pounds harder. I feel like the god of fucking-shit-up is probably lurking around the corner, sharpening his claws, waiting to pounce. My mission today is simple: don’t let that happen. That’s why I’m putting on my best ‘confident’ outfit. A tailored black suit. My makeup is flawless, my lips painted in the same defiant red as the blouse underneath the suit. My hair is pulled into a sleek bun, tight enough to make my scalp scream but exactly the kind of control I need right now. I look like I’m going to war. And I am. I take a deep breath, but it does little to calm the storm brewing inside me. I adjust my collar, smoothing it down. Confidence