Page 6 of Battered Moves

Two psychologists, one brought in by the state and one hired by the defense, have concluded that during the murders, Mr. Harris was suffering an acute psychotic episode. The experts found he was unable to distinguish right from wrong, meaning he meets the criteria to be acquitted by reason of insanity. Ms. Baker insisted Mr. Harris was not insane when he committed the homicides. She called the findings of the mental health experts outright lies and believes that the handling of his case was an example of rich boy justice. Judge McGinty has ruled that Mr. Harris be involuntarily committed into the custody of the Toronto branch of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s Forensic Psychiatry Program for placement in a secured mental health facility for six years, with subsequent re-evaluation.

CHAPTERFOUR

River

As the pieces click together, the truth hits me like a ton of bricks. Her scar, the nightmares, the constant sadness in her eyes that she can never seem to shake away… Liv lost everything and had to start from scratch. I can’t even begin to imagine the pain she must have gone through and is still suffering from.My heart aches for her.

Jax erupts in frustration, slamming his hands onto his head and tugging at his hair.

“Fuck!” he shouts. “I need to get to the gym. I need to punch something, and I’d rather not rage out at home.”

I’m impressed by his self-awareness. Jax has always struggled with anger issues, which is why he got into MMA fighting, wanting to channel his anger into something productive. The fact that he can communicate his feelings and hold himself back is a huge step for him.

“Sure, bro. Let’s go,” Chase says, standing up and heading towards the door. I glance at Ryder, and we both stand up.

“Coming,” we say simultaneously, following Jax and Chase out of the house.

* * *

We’re all sitting in Jaxon’s office after taking turns on the heavy bags. It helped to release our anger and feelings of helplessness, but now we all just feel resigned and unsure of how to help Liv. I don’t know where she is or how to find her. I’m starting to doubt that she left because of Chase. Yes, she was hurt by what she saw, but she wouldn’t just give up and leave after all the hard work she put in to start a new life.Our girl is stronger than that.The fact that she’s still trying to move on and be happy, despite everything she’s been through, shows how resilient she is.

“I still can’t wrap my head around what that article said,” Ryder says, speaking softly into the silence we’re all stuck in. “She’s so fucking brave. I mean, the situation must have been brutal, but to have the strength to jump out of a third-floor window to save yourself... Do you know how high that is? It’s a miracle she even survived.”

“It wasn’t brave, it was just the lesser evil.” Liv appears in the doorway of Jaxon’s office, looking exhausted, with dark circles under her eyes and messy hair. We all jump to our feet.

“Liv! Are you okay?” I ask her, but we all stand there, frozen in place, no one daring to get to her. Her expression is haunted.

“What do you mean, the lesser evil?” Jaxon asks and Liv’s head turns to him.

“I’d just lost my parents. I watched my little brother in pain and terror before he bled out in my lap.”

I suck in a breath, feeling bile rise in my throat, before she continues.

“Liam told me he had plans for me, that he would take me away.”

“He’s a fucking psychopath,” Ryder spits out in disgust.

“He is,” Liv agrees. “I couldn’t stand the thought, so as soon as he left the room for a second, I jumped.”

“But you could have died!” Jaxon nearly yells.

“I think she knew that” Chase says sadly, his voice rough. It’s the first thing he’s said in a long time.

“I wanted to tell you guys everything before I left, but it seems you found out yourselves,” Liv says, looking at the floor, wringing her hands. “I understand if it’s too much baggage to handle. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you before, but I’m still struggling with a lot. I found peace with you that I didn’t want to end. I was selfish, and I’m just so damn sorry.”

We all stand there in silence, processing what Liv just told us. My heart breaks for her, and I can feel the weight of her pain in the room.

Jaxon is the first to move, walking over to Liv and pulling her into a tight embrace.

“Never do that again to me, sunshine, you hear me?” he whispers against her temple. “Give us all your pain, we’ll help you carry it. Rage, cry, mourn—we’re here for everything, but never leave us again. I can handle your trauma, but I can’t handle you leaving me.”

Liv clings to Jaxon, tears streaming down her face. “I won’t,” she whispers, her voice breaking with emotion. “I’m sorry, I won’t.”

We all gather around her and Jaxon. Ryder is petting her back, while I kiss the side of her head. Only Chase is standing awkwardly beside us, unsure if she’d welcome his comfort. It’s clear that Liv’s strength and resilience have kept her going all this time, but it’s also obvious that she needs us now more than ever. I look at Chase and then tilt my head towards Liv. This isn’t the time for him being unsure. She needs to know that we’re all here for her.

Chase steps to her side, interlocking their pinky fingers. She turns her head on Jaxon’s chest to look at him, her eyes filled with questions.

“Liv, about what you saw the other day—” Chase starts, but she cuts him off.

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