Page 70 of Rescued Hearts
“Since the last hearing five weeks ago, Mrs. Hollis has completed a bookkeeping course and, as of two weeks ago, secured a position at Golden Circle Ranch. We own a home together, and she has acquired her own vehicle and is in therapy. I don’t know if there’s a more stable parent out there.”
Jeremy’s lawyer scoffed. “Yeah, because you’re married to her,” he murmured. Jeremy snickered along with him. They thought they had this in the bag, but they were dead wrong.
“Order,” Judge Blackburn said, glaring at them.
They dove back into more lawyer-talk, mentioning what happened Monday night. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jeremy’s mouth twitch into a smirk, as if he were proud of what he’d done, as if he still thought he had control. My stomach twisted, but I didn’t look away. I almost wanted him to look at me and realize that he wasn’t getting out of this so easily.
Jeremy wanted visitation, and Levi laughed before fighting it. He fought against everything relentlessly, offering up arguments and evidence against it at every turn. I didn’t understand it, but I didn’t have to. He was incredible. In his natural element. I glanced over my shoulder again, and Savannah gave me a subtle nod that reassured me.
It felt like days had dragged by once it was time for the judge to give her ruling.
We all stood, and I could hardly breathe. “Jeremy Watson, you are sentenced to five years in state prison for assault, domestic battery, child endangerment, and the violation of a domestic violence restraining order. Regarding custody of Lucas Watson, you will have no visitation rights at this time. Because of her dedication to creating a stable environment for Lucas, primary custody has been awarded to Tess Hollis.” She slammed her gavel down, and I crumbled into Levi’s side, sobbing.
Jeremy looked devastated across the courtroom, his head hung low, throat bobbing. I almost felt sorry for him, but after everything he’d done to us, I hoped he got what he deserved in prison. My hatred only solidified when he looked at me, his gaze one of rage and fury. I clung to Levi harder, knowing I had what he never would—a family.
Levi kissed the top of my head, running his hand along my back. “We got our boy, sweetheart,” he whispered hoarsely. I nodded against his chest.
“Daddy, did you win?” Luke asked, holding on to his stuffed dinosaur.
Levi’s dimples popped with his smile. “Yeah, buddy, we won.”
“Thank you.” Sniffling, I looked up at him, hoping he could see how much I meant it. “None of this would’ve been possible without you.”
His expression softened. “You did the hard part, Tess, not me.”
I shook my head. “No. You’ve changed my life. Mine and Luke’s. You made me feel safe when I never thought I would again. You made me feel loved and cherished for the first time in my life. You fixed what he broke when you didn’t have to.”
I clutched his hand in mine. “And you’ve given our son a true male role model to look up to.” Levi took a deep, shudderingbreath. “Someone who doesn’t give up, who fights for what’s right and the people he loves. It’s all I could ever ask for.”
He swallowed roughly, blinking quickly. I brought my hand to his face, brushing his hair back. “You mean everything to me, Levi, and I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
His grip on my back tightened. “I love it when you ramble,” he rasped, his voice thick with emotion.
I smiled, holding him close. “And I love you.”
Levi’s lips were soft against mine, his love for me potent in his kiss. “Don’t think you’re supposed to make out in court, but you two kinda have a thing for that it seems,” Colt said, smirking when we broke apart.
“Probably not,” Levi chuckled.
“Let’s go home,” Emmett said, putting Luke on his shoulders.
I savored this moment for what it was: freedom. For the first time in years, I could see a future that I actually wanted. Calm, stable, and full of the kind of safety and love I had always dreamt of.
“Yeah, let’s go,” I replied, taking Levi’s hand and mirroring his smile.
Walking out of that courthouse felt bittersweet. I was proud that I wasn’t the same woman who had walked into Levi’s office trembling two months ago—the woman Jeremy had broken, who was afraid of her own shadow. But I’d always be thankful for that version of me, because without her, I wouldn’t have been who I was now.
Stronger. Loved. Enough.
And no one could take that from me again.
22
Levi
A shaky breath flew past my lips. “You really think she’ll like this?” I asked Luke.
“Yeah.” He nodded, scanning around the living room at all the flowers spread around and the flickering tea light candles scattered around every surface. “It’s what they do in the movies.”
