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“She’s got a problem with me. She was in line for the principal role and hasn’t handled losing to me very well,” he says. I nod, feeling better. That makes sense. “Because I was so invested in you she became suspicious. I think she thinks you got the job because we’re together. Don’t worry, I’ll sort it.”
“It’s okay. Maybe you’re just better leaving it alone and hoping it sorts itself out,” I suggest, not wanting to stir up any trouble.
“Maybe.” He sighs. “Anyway, you need sleep for your court date tomorrow and I have work to do. Call me if you need me, okay?”
***
I stand in the lobby of the courthouse, my handbag clutched in front of me. I glance around, looking for any sight of Kaitlin, but I can’t see her. Down the hall, I spot Heather and Jim and their attorney. My heart begins to pound faster and I feel dizzy. I make my way over to the nearest seat and sit down. The last thing I want to do is collapse before this mediation.
I got next to no sleep last night, and I’m paying for it now. The three coffees I’ve consumed this morning have made me jittery. God, please let me get through these next few hours. I don’t expect anything to actually be resolved today, and I’ll be relieved when it’s over.
“Kiara.”
I look up and see Kaitlin rushing toward me, her left hand juggling two cups of coffee. She hands me one, a beaming smile on her face.
“Thought you could use this.”
I laugh and take the cup, not sure more caffeine is the best move for me, but I don’t want to be rude.
“So, are you ready?” she asks, her serious eyes locked on mine.
I nod. “I guess so.”
We walk over to the elevator and press the up button, getting out on the second floor. Kaitlin runs over a few details as we make our way down the hall. She stops outside a room.
“This is it. Just remember, stay as calm as you can. The whole point of mediation is to try and reach an agreement outside of the courts. There are no right and wrong answers—just be honest.”
I nod and draw in a deep breath. Honesty. I can handle that.
From the corner of my eye, I can see Heather and her group beginning the short trek down the hall. Kaitlin also notices them and nods for us to go inside. She opens the door.
The room is small and empty, apart from the long wooden table that sits in the center. Sunlight shines through the large windows, making the space appear less stuffy. A man sits at the head of the table, his silver gray hair perfectly combed into place. His mouth is drawn into a frown as he reads over some notes, looking up as we walk in. We take our seats on one side of the table.
God, I’m already intimidated. I offer him a small smile and I’m relieved when he offers one back.
“Kiara, I presume? I’m Martin Ballister, one of the mediators here at the courthouse. How are you?”
“I’m good, thanks,” I murmur, tugging at the hem of my jacket. Sweat begins to build up at the back of my neck. I reach up and rub it, trying to force myself to relax.
“The others shouldn’t be too much longer.” No sooner do the words leave his mouth than Heather, Jim, and their team of lawyers walk in. I’m overwhelmed by how much support they have, but that’s quickly shadowed by anger when I remember how they’re paying for it.
That money should be for Tilly. Ellie was right: I should’ve fought them on my rights after the accident. But surely it’s too late for that now?
Heather refuses to look at me, while Jim offers me a sympathetic smile. I get the feeling that he doesn’t want to be here any more than I do, and that gives me a small sense of satisfaction. If even her husband thinks she’s being unreasonable, surely a judge will see it too?
“Okay, I think we’re all ready to begin?” our mediator asks, addressing all of us.
I nod, my eyes firmly on him. Out of the corner of my eye I see Heather’s lawyer whisper something to her and she smiles. My blood boils as I grit my teeth.
We run through the case—again—and after all the details have been shared, the mediator asks both of us what issues we would like to address. I clear my throat and refer to the list I’d jotted down earlier.
“My main concern is the effect this will have on Tilly, and Aiden. I’ve spoken to his doctors, and they’ve told me that they’ve warned Heather that moving Aiden out of his current environment could result in catastrophic consequences.”
“The hospital simply doesn’t want to be held responsible if something did go wrong,” Heather cuts in. “They’re covering themselves. I have my own private medical professionals who have all cleared Aiden’s ability to reside at home.” She holds her head high. “In fact, one even suggested this move might help him.”
“Help him?” I laugh, shaking my head. “He hasn’t improved in three years, Heather. Nothing is going to help him.”
She glares at me, her face red. “And why would he want to improve when his fiancée abandoned him and won’t let him see his daughter?”
