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I watch as Nero orders the coffees. He’s still as handsome as the day I first laid eyes on him, maybe more so in a suit. He places the coffees on the table and sits opposite me. “Callie said you did well in court this morning.”
I shrug. “I told the truth.”
“It took balls to stand up and tell a bunch of strangers everything.”
“Well, I was behind a screen. At least I didn’t have to look at him. But do yah know what pisses me off the most? He’s not facing charges for what he did to me, the years of abuse or forcing me to live with him when I was still a kid really.”
Nero smiles sadly. “It’s a pile of shit. He should get life for that alone, but at least he’s going to prison.”
I nod, even though I don’t agree. I want Dante to face up to what he did to me and be punished for ruining my life. I was close to taking my own life, yet he’ll never spend a second inside for that.
“How’s life going?” he asks. “You look great.”
I smile. I have a hard time taking compliments, something we’re working on in therapy at the moment. “Thanks,” I force myself to say. “I’m doing good. As you know, I have my new place and we’re decorating it to make it my own.”
“We?” he queries. “You’ve met someone?”
I laugh. “No. And it’s a good job seeing as you keep sending me flowers.”
He gives a coy smile. “I was hoping to wear you down. How’s therapy going?”
“By we, I mean me and my friends. I met them in therapy, which is going amazing. I love my sessions and look forward to them. I feel like they’re helping me rebuild my life.”
“That’s amazing. So, you’re in a better place?”
I nod, confident that, for once, I’m not faking. “I don’t think I would’ve got through it all without the girls. They’ve been a massive support.”
He grins. “Was that the motley crew back there?”
“Yeah, Jess, Jo, and Amanda. They’ve all been where I am at some point. They’re warriors like me.”
“I’m glad things are going good for you, Tessa. You deserve it.”
I fiddle with a napkin. “And you?” I ask. “How’s life treating you?”
“Good. I just bought my first place after spending years renting. It’s hard to put down roots in my line of work, I was always moving around. Now I’m settled, it feels good.”
“You said before that you have a sister, was that true?”
Guilt passes over his expression at the mention of our past. “Yes, it’s true. Luna lives in Ireland. I have a little nephew on the way, actually. She told me last week.”
“Don’t you miss her?”
He nods. “All the time, but we call regularly and we video chat. I didn’t want her here, so when she decided to move to Ireland, I encouraged it. My line of work was dangerous, and I didn’t want her getting dragged into anything. She’s safer there than here.”
“Even now you’ve changed your job?”
“She’s settled now. Maybe one day she’ll decide to come home, but right now, she’s happy, which means I’m happy.” He checks his watch. “We should get back to the court. Lunch is over, and they might recall witnesses.”
* * *
As it happened, they didn’t call up any more witnesses. After three weeks, I was glad the jury retired. They’re expected to be out for a couple days, which means I can breathe a little. The legal team seems pretty confident that Dante will go down for many years. My therapist and support worker have broached the subject of what I’ll do if he gets off, but I can’t even think about that. Callie said I have the option to go into witness protection, that they’ll relocate me and do everything they can to protect me from him, but deep down, I know he’ll come for me. Besides, I’m making a life for myself here, and the thought of leaving that behind again because of Dante makes me more determined to be strong.
Jo groans when the doorbell rings, disturbing our cosy slumber party. It’s something we do every Friday. All us girls get together and we watch films, chat, and chill. I think we’ve all lost friends in the past due to our abusers, so having this time is important to us all. Amanda gets up to answer, returning a second later with Nero.
I sit up quickly, brushing a hand over my crazy hair that I decided to let dry naturally after my shower. I’m regretting that decision now. “Hey,” I say, “do you have news?”
“No, shit, sorry. I didn’t know you had company. I can come back,” he says, turning.
