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“No, Willa,” I utter. “I’m here to finish my case study. And you’re here to what…just try and make things right after walking out on me like I’m no more than a one-night mistake you made?”
“Why would you say that?” She holds her hand up to her chest, a gesture of being offended.
I check my watch to see what time it is, worried about walking in after the trial has started and causing a scene. “After all the years you’ve known me, how ignorant do you think I am?” I continue walking forward, not waiting for a response that will likely come out in a stuttering array of words to avoid a direct answer.
I walk into the large, oak-clad courtroom and take a sharp right down the back row of seats, allowing my gaze to blur in the distance before I sit down. My heart flutters as I settle onto the stiff leather padding of the bench. Liam is on the opposite side of the room, sitting at one of the front counsel tables next to who I assume to be his attorney. On the other side are Lara and Corbin with their attorneys.
Behind them are the twins and a toddler sitting on a woman’s lap. I wonder what they must be thinking watching their familyfight each other like this. I also wonder if they were forced to be here—all of them. Madden I can understand, but Blakely and the baby I assume is Fallon shouldn’t have to be subjected to this more than they already have been. My opinions don’t mean much, but it’s just another reason I believe psychological damage can be directly caused from poor parenting decisions.
“He doesn’t look nervous,” Willa whispers. “I wonder if that means he’s innocent?”
FIFTY-ONE
THURSDAY, JUNE 30TH 10:30 AM
Liam has been at the bench for the last few minutes while the attorneys speak privately with the judge. I wonder if he’s spotted me in the back. He tried calling me several times after he was released on bail, following his arraignment, but I didn’t answer. There was something so evil brewing within him that last morning we were together. I had no inclination on that side of him. He had such a calm demeanor every time we were together, but it was all an act.
The attorneys return to their counsel tables, but Lara and Corbin’s attorney remains standing.
The judge folds his hands together and focuses his attention on Liam. He lets his pause weigh heavily over everyone watching before speaking to him. “Liam, I want to discuss your history with your sister, Lara, following the passing of your late mother.” Liam shifts around in his seat and straightens his tie. It’s obvious he’s uncomfortable. Anyone would be sitting in that seat. “According to your parents’ will, Lara was named sole beneficiary to their inheritance. Is that correct?”
“Yes, that is correct,” Liam says, leaning in toward the microphone.
“Are you aware that it’s common to have multiple beneficiaries to a will, especially when it comes to siblings following the death of their parent/parents?”
“Yes, I am,” Liam answers.
The attorney paces back and forth in front of the stand, his hands interlocked behind his waist.
“Your Honor, I have the letter that accompanied the will, which I would like to read to the Jury as a form of character reference.”
Liam’s attorney isn’t even trying to stop this from happening.
“You may continue,” the judge replies.
The attorney returns to his table to take the note into his hands.
Dear Larissa and William,
“Lara and Liam for short,” the attorney adds.
William, Billy, Liam…they’re all the same. Looks can change, but who we are inside—it’s something he hid well…until he couldn’t.
“William?” Willa whispers into my ear.
I shrug, refusing to discuss his name now.
I hope this letter finds you well. Though I’m saddened that you must read another one of these letters from your parents in such a short span of time. With a progressing illness, I have had time to carefully consider my final wishes for my Will and Testament, on the distribution of my estate. With this letter, you will find the legally prepared documentation which names Larissa the sole benefactor, with the request that William receive financial support when needed throughout the duration of his life or for as longas the assets are available. I entrust you with the care for your brother, William, and request that he receives proper treatment to withstand the duration of his illness with his diagnosed emotional disturbance.
Please know that my intention is to ensure you are both well cared for, which is my only final wish for the two of you.
Love,
Mom
Signed byAnita L. Hoyt on 02/18/2017
Willa is staring at me with her lips parted and I want to nudge her to stop looking over at me while I digest everything this entire courtroom just listened to about Liam’s diagnosedemotional disturbance…
