Lauren? She doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. She just sits there, shell-shocked. Because she lost.
And me?
I won.
But more than that—
Olivia won.
The judge stands.
“Court adjourned.”
The gavel slams down.
And just like that—
It’s over.
But when I look at Kenzie—at the way she’s still holding my hand, still here—I know one thing for sure.
This isn’t the end.
It’s the beginning.
Chapter 44 – Grant
The second we step outside the courtroom, I finally breathe. Not just a quick inhale. But a long, bone-deep, soul-deep, fucking cleansing breath.
Because it’s done. Months of stress. Months of uncertainty. Weeks of waiting for this moment.
It’s over.
And Olivia?
She’s mine.
Kenzie’s hand is still in mine. She hasn’t let go. And neither have I.
Marcus claps a hand on my shoulder. “Hell of a fight, Maddox.”
I nod, exhaling. “Thanks for getting me through it.”
Marcus grins. “Oh, you got yourself through it.”
Then he glances at Kenzie. “Though I’d say you had some help.”
Kenzie arches a brow. “Damn right, he did.”
I huff a laugh.
But before I can say more—
Lauren steps into my path.
And just like that—
The tension snaps back taut.