The day finally came. Sebastian had grabbed the mail in the lobby and saw the letter Rylee had been dreading. Her name and address was printed neatly in the middle and the top corner practically screamed Judiciary of New York State.

He got in the elevator and made his way upstairs with the mail. Opening the door, he saw Rylee sitting on the couch, a smile on her face until she saw his stoic look. "What is it?" Rylee questioned.

"Court papers." Sebastian stated simply, holding up the envelope.

"Oh..." She knew they were coming. She knew there would be a hearing. And she knew she would have to be there. But she was dreading the day it rolled around.

Sebastian passed her the letter, sitting down beside her, throwing his arm around her shoulder to pull her close. She opened it and read over it fully. Not seeing anything she didn't expect. She was being requested by the state to stand against Michael on multiple counts.

Attempted first degree murder.

EPO violations.

Stalking.

Illegal possession of a fire arm.

Breaking and entering.

Destruction of property.

She glanced over the list multiple times, soaking it all in. Especially the words attempted first degree murder.

Attempted. Murder.

She still couldn't believe that that night had happened. She's been through so much with him for so long she wanted to put it all to rest. To send him to jail for as long as possible. And even just his attempted murder charge would get him there, let alone tacking on all the other charges.

She focused back on the rest of the letter now. Her requested date was Monday, August 30th. 8:00 AM. A little over a week away.

Her stomach churned at the thought of seeing Michael again. She put the letter down on the table, pausing for a moment, before she got up and ran to the bathroom, emptying her stomach.

Sebastian followed behind her, knowing this news was difficult, but inevitable.

He sat down on the floor by the tub, rubbing gentle circles into Rylee's back. She had already finished what she went in there to do, but she stayed sitting on the floor, leaned against the side of the tub.

"I don't know if I can do this, Seb." Rylee's lip quivered, her breath shuddering. The words attempted murder still ringing in her ears.

"You can do this Ry. It's one day. One day and you'll never have to see that bastard again. He'll be handcuffed. And guarded. He won't be able to hurt you. Not anymore."

Rylee leaned onto Sebastian's chest and cried. Tears streamed down her face as he pulled her in closer, holding her protectively. "It'll be over soon, and it'll be okay."

Rylee nodded into his chest but her breaths were getting shallow and her tears poured. She could feel her chest tightening, trying to take in any breath she could.

"Ry. Take a breath, honey. Breathe with me." He grabbed her hand and put it on his chest, trying to get her to feel his heart beat and his breaths coming in and out.

She tried her hardest to focus on him talking but she couldn't get her mind to slow down. She was starting to get dizzy from it all. Attempted murder.

"Rylee. Rylee look at me."

Rylee blinked, almost in slow motion up at him, trying to focus on his face.

Sebastian put his palm against her cheek, rubbing his thumb there, trying any form of contact to get her to focus.

"Breathe with me."

She took a deep, deliberate breath to match Sebastian's, but it was rattled and desperate, causing another stream of tears to pour down.

Attempted murder.

They sat like that for a while, time lost, just breathing together. Sebastian running his fingers through Rylee's hair, to help ground her. Eventually the room fell into overall silence, occasional sniffles and hiccups coming from Rylee, until there were none at all.

"So. What should we have for dinner tonight?"

Sebastian asked, pushing hair that fell into her face behind her ear.

Rylee let out a huff of a laugh at his change of subject, "T-tacos sound good."

"Tacos do sound good. Let's do it." Sebastian said, standing up, offering her a hand up off the floor. She took it and he pulled her up easily, straight into a hug. He cradled her head in one hand and the other wrapped around her waist, pulling her close.

"I love you Rylee, everything's gonna be okay."

Rylee nodded into his chest, hoping he was right.

——————————

Rylee tried to make it through the next week and a half without panicking but she couldn't shake the horrible feeling in her gut. She met with Jane throughout the week to discuss what was going to happen at the courthouse on Monday.

She confided in her about her and Michael's past together and Jane helped her with her wording to make her testimony more impactful. Rylee also raised concerns about airing all this laundry in front of Sebastian.

"He loves you, Rylee. He's here for you every step of the way. He's not going to judge your or leave you for things that someone else did in the past."

"I guess you're right..." Rylee agreed, but was still worried."

——————————

Somehow, the world continued on and Monday came around the same as it always did. Rylee and Sebastian both woke at 5:30, though Rylee hadn't gotten much sleep. They both slowly got ready, Rylee wearing a navy blue blouse and a black pant suit with beige colored heels, Sebastian wearing khaki chinos and a navy blue button up.

Sebastian offered to make breakfast, but Rylee declined, her stomach not feeling up to it. He still wanted her to have something in her so he decided to make some toast, offering her some slices on a plate with butter. She took it with a smile, knowing that eating toast wouldn't be the end of the world.

Soon enough, the time came for them to depart for the court house. They both grasped each other's hand as they walked to the elevator, down through the lobby, and to the car, squeezing tightly.

How were they already here? Rylee thought to herself. As they walked up the courthouse steps and into the lobby her nerves were pretty much shot and her stomach was practically in her toes. Sebastian squeezed her hand again, trying to comfort her before they had to part. "It'll all be okay." He stuck out his arm for her to snuggle in, hugging her close to his chest.

As they whispered to one another they heard the loud echo of heels traipsing up behind them.

Jane spoke confidently and with so much poise, "Hi Sebastian, Rylee. How are we today?"

"As good as I'll ever be today I think."

"Well thats not terrible," Jane commented in return, "You ready to go?"

Rylee nodded and leaned in to give Sebastian another long kiss, saying goodbye.

"If you need any reassurance I'll be in the back of the crowd. I love you so much Rylee.

"I love you too Sebastian." Rylee walked away with Jane to the back holding room, she snuck one more look of her shoulder and he gave her a small wave, which he returned before he turned around on his heel to head into the court room.

——————————

It was time. And Rylee thought she'd be sick. But she somehow pushed past it and wore a stoic face as her and Jane made their way into the courtroom, taking their seats. Before Rylee sat down she saw Sebastian sitting in the back, just like he said he'd be.

Michael, wearing an orange jumpsuit and walking with both handcuffs and ankle cuffs, was then brought out by two guards and made to sit in the seat across the room. His face was blank, completely void of any emotion.

The judge was announced to be Judge Geoff Lewis and he entered the room, everyone rose from their seats, until he asked everyone to be seated.

He went through the usual introductions of the case, giving a synopsis of the charges against Michael, and opening statements were given. And just like that, the trial was already rolling and they were on presentation of evidence and completing direct examinations.

Rylee was called up to the stand, swearing to tell the truth, she took a seat. She nervously picked at her fingers as she sat there, waiting. Jane walked up, a comforting familiar face making this moment that much easier.

"Rylee Summers. What is your relationship to Michael Wright?"

"He is my ex-boyfriend."

"When did you two start dating?"

"Um. November of 2012."

"And when did it end?"

"September 15, 2015."

"Could you describe your relationship?"

"It started out like any other relationship I think. Happy, healthy, loving...but then he would start making comments...about my body, my personality...and he started controlling small parts of my life...like who I saw...how I did my hair...

"He would gaslight me. Making me feel guilty for things that weren't my fault. And he would question me constantly about where I was. Where I was going. Who I'd be with. And if I didn't answer fast enough, I was automatically a liar and a cheater."

"And what happened September 15, 2015?"

"Michael...was out at the bar...so I decided I was going to pack up my things and leave while I had the chance...but he came home early and saw me packing. I had finally gotten the guts to tell him I was leaving and that our relationship was over, and he needed help I couldn't give him.

"He called me crazy and that he was the only person who could ever love me. And told me to unpack. When I said no, that our relationship was toxic and suffocating, he said fine and that he was cheating on me with a girl at work for the last year and then he walked away.

"I threw the last few things I needed into a box and he..." Rylee paused, willing herself to hold back her tears. Especially in front of Michael.

"Take your time Ms. Summers."

She took a breath and looked up, finding Sebastian through the crowd, he gave her a small nod, practically begging her to continue. Supporting her however he could. It was extremely hard to watch her recall this night again, but it was important for her to do it.

"Michael came back out from our bedroom with an iPhone charger and choked me with it over the back of the couch...I still remember exactly what he said as he did it...'You think our relationship is suffocating? Well here you fuckin go you bitch.'...Luckily I had texted my best friend to call 911 five minutes earlier and the police had gotten to our apartment and broke down the door...and arrested him."

"And what ended up happening to you that night Ms. Summers?"

"I ended up in the hospital for three days. I had a bruised jaw, my feet and legs got cut up by broken glass from..the struggle, I had a dislocated wrist, a bruised neck, and damaged vocal cords. I couldn't talk for about two weeks afterwards."

"And what happened to Michael?"

"He was arrested. Charged with simple assault. And was sent to jail for 90 days."

"What happened after he was released from jail?"

"I got a Protection From Abuse order that was put in place for 3 years."

"What did you do after you got the PFA?"

"I moved in with my best friend for the time being, and in January of 2016 we both moved to New York City."

"Pictures from the night of September 15, 2015 have been presented as exhibit A. Fair warning, some of these pictures may be unsettling."

The bailiff passed the stack of pictures to Judge Lewis and he skimmed through them. There was also a projector pointed to the wall to display the pictures for the jury. There were pictures of over-turned furniture, broken glass on the floor, blood trails around the couch, a shattered front door from the police.

And then, there were the pictures Sebastian had to look away from. Up close pictures of a younger Rylee's face, bruised and battered, her neck boasting a deep dark bruised line across the middle, lacerations on her feet and legs. There was also an attached X-ray showing her vocal cord damage.

The screen then went blank. You could feel the room take in a breath of air after seeing these impactful pictures.

"Exhibit B is the PFA Ms. Summers was granted in 2015 by the state of Pennsylvania. And Exhibit C is the current violated Emergency Protection Order from the New York State Judiciary."

"Ms. Summers, when did you apply for this current EPO?"

"July 23rd, 2021."

"And why did you apply for it?"

"I had received a threatening delivery at work, the phone charger Michael used on September 15th. And then the next night, Michael cornered me in the alley behind my work."

"What did Michael do in the alley?"

"He grabbed my face and told me...he told me I needed to come back to Pittsburgh with him because he was a changed man and that my...my current boyfriend...my current boyfriend was just using me for sex."

"And did you believe him? About your current boyfriend?"

"God no." Rylee looked up at Sebastian, and he looked back at her, a small lopsided supportive smile appeared on his face.

"Was there anything else that led to this EPO being put in place?

"The day that it was put in place, my boyfriend saw Michael following him to a local coffee shop. He was going to confront him but he ran off.

"Exhibit D. Various footage of Michael Wright from cameras throughout New York City stalking Ms. Summers as well as her boyfriend, Mr. Sebastian Stan."

There has always been plenty of evidence against Michael, but especially now, luckily in New York, you can't go anywhere without being recorded on some kind of camera. Exhibit D was displayed on the projector. It was a compilation of clips from various cameras through the city, which gave Rylee chills straight to the bone. Michael had been following Rylee and Sebastian for a few months, not just a few days.

There was footage of him waiting in the alley behind her work and clips of him peeking around corners, blending into crowds, hanging out in and around Ruby's and following her into the gym. The last bit made her stomach officially drop. That day at the gym. That man in the baseball hat with the cell phone...it was Michael. Rylee could've been sick right there on the floor thinking about it. Knowing now how close he'd been to her the last few months when no one knew...

Rylee didn't realize that she had lost focus until she heard Jane say her name, "Ms. Summers, are you alright?"

"Yes sorry. I'm just shocked to see all this footage. I knew he was stalking us, but I hadn't realized for how long...and how close..." she shuddered again thinking about it.

"Are you okay to continue?"

"Yes."

"Okay. So. Tell me about July 24, 2021."

"I had gotten home from my shift at work around 5:00 am and I had just gotten dressed for bed. And I heard Michael pounding on my door and yelling. He broke in and ripped apart my apartment looking for me, but when I first heard him yelling I had hid in my bedroom closet."

Rylee was surprised to hear a low growl echo across the room from Michael. The guards placing a hand on either of his shoulders to be sure he stayed seated. He looked pissed that he hadn't looked deeper into the closet that night.

"I was on the phone with 911 when the responder suggested I try using my fire escape to get away if I knew it was safe so I took the chance and climbed out my window and down the ladders. But when I got to the last ladder, I had to push it down to reach the ground and it made a loud banging noise as it went down, alerting Michael. I was about to jump off the bottom ladder when he leaned out the window to shoot at me."

"So Michael had a gun?"

"Yes."

"Are you aware that convicted felons are not allowed to own firearms, Ms. Summers?"

"Yes I am."

"So, what happened after you fled your apartment Ms. Summers?"

"I turned the corner and ran into a policeman who was looking for me. And as we went to wait for an ambulance we were alerted that Michael was taken into custody."

"Alright, thank you for your time and bravery here today Ms. Summers. No further questions your honor."

Michael's lawyer stood, buttoning his jacket as he went.

"Ms. Summers. How are you today?"

"I'm okay."

"Good, I was just checking because on your released medical records it states you take Xanax, correct?"

"Yes."

"You had mentioned that back in 2015 Michael 'needed help', but you weren't taking this medication then were you?"

"Um. No I hadn't been. Not til I moved to New York City."

"I see. Do you know the side effects of Xanax, Ms. Summers?"

"The basics. Dizziness. Tiredness. Sleep problems..."

"Yes, those are all correct, but some other symptoms for some people, are memory loss or memory problems and irritability. For some people, recalling past events especially ones such as how you've described, are difficult to fully recall. And the irritability that occurs leads to enhancing memories to seem more extreme."

Rylee was already livid at this man.

"For example. Did you physically see Michael break into your apartment on July 24th?"

"...no...I heard him."

"You heard him...hmm. So when you say Michael popped his head out the window to point a gun at you...could you see him then?"

"I could see part of him."

"What part of him?"

"..his arm...glances of the rest of him."

"So. You never fully saw Michael in your apartment on July 24th?"

"No I suppose not..."

"Now we do know, from the footage shown by the lovely Mrs. Beckett. That Michael was indeed around quite a few of your usual hangouts over the last few months. Is it possible that Michael saw someone else break into your apartment and he went in to defend you?"

"No he wouldn't do that."

"But could he have physically done so?"

Rylee didn't answer. She knew what he was trying to do. She knew he would try to turn things around. That was his job. To get Michael a reduced sentence.

Judge Lewis looked down at Rylee. "Miss, please answer the question."

"Yes he physically could have done so." Rylee said mockingly.

"Were you injured on July 24th?"

"Yes, I sprained my ankle jumping off the fire escape."

"But he didn't touch or physically harm you on July 24th?"

"...no."

He asked a handful more questions, ones that all tried to twist and turn the events that have happened in the past. She stood her ground and kept to the facts.

"No more questions your honor." The bailiff walked up to help Rylee down from her spot and escorted her out of the courtroom with one more glance back at Michael, he glared at her.

She walked down the hall, her heels echoing down the quiet, empty hall. She heard the courtroom door open, and saw Sebastian poked his head around, walking towards her when she saw her walking his direction.

They met in the middle and he embraced her in a tight hug, kissing the top of her head. "You did great, Ryles," there was a small pause, "do you want to stay for the verdict?"

"No, Jane will call me." Rylee stated quickly.

"Okay, let's head home." Sebastian said, taking her hand in his, squeezing it tightly as they walked to the parking garage.