Page 76 of Embers in the Dark

I’m washing my hands when I hear the door open. I’m not looking up, nor paying much attention to anything around me, when I feel a presence behind me. It isn’t until I realize the body is much too close to my personal space that my hackles rise, and I look in the mirror to see those cold blue eyes staring back at me.

I say nothing as I hold his gaze, and it’s in that moment I take note how different we are, as if we’re complete opposites. His lightness in contrast with my darker features. His ice blue eyes to my almost black ones, along with his lighter hair to my raven locks. But inside, he holds all the darkness, while I hold all my light around me.

“Move,” I demand.

He stands firm where he is. He wouldn’t dare do anything mere feet away from the courtroom where he’s being tried for assaulting me, would he? But his entitled ass might actually be living in an absolute fantasy, I guess.

“Should I say it louder?” I say with clenched teeth.

He steps away, his nostrils flaring.

I keep my eyes on him as I grab a paper towel. I won’t fucking dare give him my back because he’s fucking hostile.

When I make my way to the door he has the audacity to move closer to me, but not close enough to touch me. I feelmy heart pounding in my ears, but I tame my breathing enough so he doesn’t sense my fear.

“You fucking ruined my life,” he spits in my direction. “I should’ve known a whore like you would fuck everything up. I was left here while you were away living your best life, and I now have to pay for your little sad story that you told the police.”

“The only person who ruined your life is you, Myles. And—wait, how do you know anything about my life?” I ask him, realization dawning on me that he knows more about me than I’d like.

I look over at him, realizing that day when I felt like I was being watched was more than a feeling. Was he there?

“Oh, you connecting the dots? Yeah, I watched you, sweetheart.” He sneers.God, he’s vile. “You’re a fucking temptress. I saw you walking on campus and guys just watched you pass by in your tight clothes, because you just ask to be looked at. You’re a disgusting slut.”

I tamp down the bile that threatens to come up. How did I ever find this person attractive? I let him put his hands on me. I let him touch me in the name of love... or what I thought was love.

“Look over there.” I jut my chin toward the mirror. “You see that person right there?” I move a step back so it’s only his reflection he sees. “He’s no man. That right there is a person that’s a sad excuse for a man. I’m sorry I ever let your fingers touch my skin because I was always too good for you. But today I’m not just standing up for myself against you; I’m standing up for all the people you could ever raise your hand to in the future. You need help, Myles.”

He pulls his gaze away from the mirror and moves toward me, and I get the feeling he’s going to do something physical to me. I stand there and continue, “Ah ah, I wouldn’t think of doing anything. Mommy can’t dig you out of an even deeper hole. Better keep your hands to yourself.”

With that, I walk out of the restroom, a satisfied smile gracing my lips. Serves him right for thinking he can continue to try to intimidate me right before this pre-trial. But he knows the evidence we have will push this case even further. He knows his fate and he just needed to knock me down a few pegs to help his ego beforeIknock him down.

Once I reach Fiona, I sit down and she sees me smiling.

“Everything okay?” she asks, confusion in her tone.

“Yep. Myles followed me into the restroom and used a few toxic words to intimidate me. I didn’t fall for it,” I tell her, smoothing out my skirt.

She looks behind me and sees Myles walking into the courtroom, his complexion a few shades lighter than he was when he first walked into the ladies’ room.

“Serves him right,” I continue.

“I bet it does.” She smiles.

I feel lighter walking into the apartment tonight. Today was draining, yet absolutely freeing in so many ways. Facing that courtroom was something I needed to do on my own, but getting home to Tucker is also a need of mine and I’m itching to feel his warmth underneath my fingertips.

The moment I open the door, I expect to see him waiting for me on the other side, but instead I’m met by not only Tucker, but my parents, my brother, my sisters, and Carolyn.

I can’t hold back the surprise on my face. I think Tucker senses it when I look over at him.

I’m immediately pulled into a hug by my mom, followed by my dad and each of my siblings. It’s a weeknight, so I assume my nieces and nephews stayed back as they had sports and after-school activities. My brothers-in-law must have taken them to those commitments. Danny remains cold toward me and Tucker, but I appreciate him coming despitewhat’s transpired between us. I look over to find him standing further back than the rest of the family.

Once Tucker reaches me he whispers, “I couldn’t help it, they just showed up. I texted but I assume you didn’t see it as you were on ‘Do Not Disturb.’ Sorry, baby.”

He moves to kiss my cheek and I bring my fingers to lace with his. I can’t help but notice my brother’s eyes swing to our connection then quickly look away. I see his jaw clench. It’s hard to suppress my eye roll.

Carolyn comes toward me and pulls me into an embrace. “I’m so glad today went as well as it did. You deserve justice for what he did to you, Baylee.”

Justice was indeed served. Myles received the maximum sentence for what he did, at least for a first-time offender. Obviously, I wish he could stay in a jail cell forever, but I think anyone that went through any type of violent act would want the same. In Myles’s case, he’ll serve a year in jail. Turns out, the case against him was my word against his for a while, until Fiona started gathering evidence a few months back. She came across my neighbor’s doorbell camera, which caught a few images of Myles from the open doorway into my apartment that night.

---