Page 20

CASSIE

April 3rd was the first day I woke up without having a nightmare. The air was crisp while the sky was the perfect shade of Nordic navy blue. These were my favorite kinds of days, the ones where outside looked almost fake with how frozen in time everything seemed.

I slept on Manon’s couch last night. Right after our late-night confession sesh, she left me alone. Probably too afraid that her presence would scare me away, but I wanted nothing more than to be near her.

Last night felt like a scene out of a movie, I had never had anyone take the time to even try and explain their emotions to me. Manon made it seem

so simple. She instantly made everyone in my past have no excuse for treating me like shit and not owning up to it.

She didn't even do a quarter of what they had done, yet here she was ready to make sure I understood her wrong doings. Even when I initially brought up the fact that I went through her personal things, she looked at me like she was offended that I ever tried to apologize.

But the look she wore on her face told me she had been waiting a long time to say those words. As if she was just as mentally gone as I was these past few days. Her cheeks were puffy, and her eyes hung low. When she first opened the door, I could hardly recognize her anymore. I felt a stab in my chest when I saw the pain that glazed over her eyes. I didn’t know how it was going to go, showing up at her place at a random hour.

I just figured she was already over it and had probably moved on. A woman as independent as her didn't need to dwell on sour situations. I fully expected her to open the door completely unfazed by my reappearance. But as I watched her skin cover in goosebumps and her eyes twinkled with the slightest bit of hope, I knew she was feeling the same way I did.

The situation was confusing, and after last night, hopeful. But we left each other on a cliffhanger, only holding onto each other's sincere apology. The minute Manon finished talking I wanted to jump in her arms, it was the minute she grabbed my wrist softly. Like she needed me to hear what she wanted to say. Nothing was planned or organized. Manon was spilling how she truly felt, without overthinking it.

But then she left.

She waltzed right upstairs like she didn’t just get on her knees and find every shattered piece of my heart before glueing it back together.

And this morning when I woke up to see another freshly steamed suit laid out beside me. I quickly turned and shoved my face into the white cushions before letting out a completely muffled scream. I had butterflies like it was the pretrial all over again.

That was absolutely the last thing I expected to feel on one of most dreaded days of my life.

***

“You ready?” Manon’s voice wavered with a slight infliction.

You could almost see her breath with how cold it was, even with the sun beginning to shine and the heated seats. It was just enough to clear the windows. I thought my ass was on fire until Manon started pressing buttons on a tablet looking device that seemed to control everything. From hidden panoramic cameras to the heated seats, Manon's car reminded me of something from the future.

It was a nice distraction for the drive, but as soon as we pulled into the same parking spot as last time, everything flew out of my mind. The clear view we used to have of the courthouse was now completely blocked by what looked to be a small crowd of… paparazzi ?

“W-What are they doing here?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

I saw the articles about our pre-trial, and the trending tweets that flooded my phone. But I was so focused on my relationship with Manon that I hadn’t even considered what an impact this would all make.

I floundered before looking to my left to see Manon already watching me. She looked a lot more refreshed than earlier; her dark hair was pulled back into a tight ballerina style bun while her face looked like she was glowing. The coolness in the color of her dove grey suit made the warm of her dark skin stand out.

I could kiss her right now.

Her brows were tight though, “For you , Cassie.”

She gave me a curt nod before turning her attention back to out the window.

“Trust me, this is the last thing Blue Wheels wanted, that’s why they reached out to me. They wanted to avoid the cameras and media because that’s too many people in their business. Something they haven't had to deal with from any other case, because no one’s ever taken it this far.”

I watched how her lips moved with such grace as her face turned stern. Her jaw was tight, and I could tell she was getting pissed off just thinking about how much Blue Wheels has probably gotten away with.

“ This is why I chose you as my lawyer,” I whispered out, matter of factly.

Manon’s head snapped to mine, jerking from thoughts as her eyes swept over my face.

“What?” She asked, almost breathless.

“This—the way that you just got lost in your feelings about this case, this is what I saw when I found you. It was never Perian that impressed me, it was you.”

A knowing silence spread between us, her going eyes wide.

Her face then softened as her head moved back, “How did you know?” She asked with her voice low, as if someone else was going to hear us.

I shrugged my shoulders like it was nothing, “Yesterday, when you sent me that email about the evidence and you signed it with just your name, and you didn’t include Perian Law or Grace.”

She sat back, still staring straight ahead. We just sat there for a few minutes, letting the energy settle, before she shifted in her seat to face me.

Manon’s chest rose before letting a deep sigh, “I guess we both have something to prove today, huh?”

***

The paparazzi and news reporters were the least of my problems, they turned out to be decent and kind. Only wanting to get photos and questions about how I was feeling. No matter what though, Manon walked in front of me like a bodyguard. Her arms spread wide, while using her briefcase to block the cameras.

I hated that I found it romantic. The feeling was quickly drowned out by the shock that filled me when I saw how filled the courtroom was. I almost stalled in my footsteps, because almost every single seat was taken.

I hadn’t thought about it being open to the public.

My eyes shot to the left when I found the Blue Wheels team, including Nick Leed already seated at the plaintiff’s table. My gaze lingered, but when his eyes surprisingly didn’t return to mine, I knew everything had changed.

This wasn’t like either of the other times we were here in the courtroom. Somehow, they both felt like a joke compared to this, when we made our way to the defendant’s table I could feel every single eye on us as we walked by. Our heels echoed throughout the already silent room making our entrance even more intense.

The room felt like a pressure cooker, every inch of the space felt heavy with judgement and anticipation. The rows of seats were packed with reporters, and a bunch of the public that were clearly entertained by the idea of a Startrips driver taking on a company as big as Blue Wheels.

When we reached our seats, my skin was already starting to glisten. I could actually feel the cameras this time, maybe there were more this time, but every lens seemed to follow me. I was just glad my hair was a decent color again, and if I was remembering correctly, judging by Manon’s reaction— I think she’d say it looked better than decent.

As we sat down, I had only just then noticed that the box to my right was filled with jurors.

My breath was caught in my lungs, and I looked away awkwardly as I became increasingly uneasy under their scrutiny. I forgot all about the jury.

I was trying not to look but from the quick glance I got, there was a huge range of different kinds of people. There were different ethnicities, ages, styles of clothes. I had no clear depiction of the type of character any of them were, and I refused to stare long enough to try and see if I could guess it.

This wasn’t like my rides with Startrips where I could be the one to sit back and judge. Or even the pre-trial when Nick and I were having a staring contest. This time, I didn’t feel him glance over not even once. It was evident they saw how they looked in the media and were refusing to be caught looking the same way.

I was the one that had to sit back and let people assume things just based on my appearance. It was weird having to act like none of it affected me, but when I glanced over to my left and saw Manon calm like she was in her office working all by herself. I immediately relaxed; the worries that lingered over me dissipated the second I saw her face. She exuded confidence, the way her posture was perfectly straight with dignity and pride, while her face had this powerful sense of determination.

It was just like all the other times I’ve seen her like this, except now I knew what was happening. I didn’t feel lost or out of the loop, I felt like I didn’t need to waste another second being worried about whether Manon could handle this or if this was too much.

Based on her expression, the only people that should be worried, were Blue Wheels.

***

“If the Jury is ready to proceed then we can move onto the presentation of evidence.”

Judge Hickerson announced and for the first time since my gaze shifted from him to my right, and I watched as they all began nodding their heads in agreement. The opening statement felt like the pre-trial all over again. I had almost choked on the sip of water I took, when Nick Leed attempted for the second time since this case has been filed, to end the trial before it even began.

He was claiming that Blue Wheels had already suffered enough financial and credibility damages through the motions of this case.

“Blue Wheels as a company has been known for its connection to the community, and recently they have endured baseless attacks, which in turn causes long term damages to their reputation.”

He went on about how they value the safety of the drivers and customers, and how their integrity was being questioned. Yet again, Judge Hickerson cut him short, and asked him immediately if that’s all he brought to the table today.

“Just let me know now so I can already expect to be disappointed.”

The disgust in his voice told everyone in the room that he didn't have time or energy for bullshit. He didn't care how many cameras or gossip blogs were in the room watching, he wanted to get to the bottom of the case.

But Nick didn't seem to take it to heart because he stood tall, clearly trying to hide his bruised spirit. Although men like him deserved to be humbled, it was obvious he was trying his hardest not to be captured in an unfavorable light. Always seeming to control his facial expressions and staying cool and collected under the pressure. He was acting completely different to the smug, unprepared mess we had met on the day of pre-trial.

“Your Honor,” Nick spoke, commanding the attention of the whole room before the air went still.

“The plaintiff would like to call a witness to the stand.”

I could hear the gasps all around me but all I glued my tongue to the roof of my mouth as my eyes went wide. I could feel Manon stiffen beside me, and we both shifted to watch a middle-aged woman stand up from the bench that sat right behind their table.

I blinked while my brain tried to load what was even happening. He had a witness. From my accident?

He cleared his throat dramatically, “We’d like to call Kathryn Maise to the stand.”

My throat drained of any air as my heart plummeted.

I knew that name, I could never forget Kathryn Maise—one of the drivers involved in my car accident. She was the driver that slammed into me from behind.

My body went cold, and I watched as she rounded their table and headed straight for the stands, she couldn't even spare me a glance. Even when she sat down, she looked past me, avoiding my torturous gaze.

I never met her because I was in the hospital recovering from a minor head injury, but I couldn't forget a single name from that night. Not even the name of the cop that took my statement.

But why? Why would she be defending Blue Wheels?

After the court swore her in, Nick began speaking directly to Kathryn, “This will be quick. Mrs. Maise was a direct witness to the event that transpired on December 12th of 2023, is that correct?”

Kathryn's tone was uneasy and shaky, she seemed somehow more nervous than I did.

“Y-Yes.”

Nick practically cut her off to continue, “Can you describe what you observed the night of the incident?”

He asked, his tone strong and demanding, like he was trying to tower over everyone using his voice.

What caught me off guard was how Kathryn's eyes wavered across the room to me before blinking rapidly like she was trying to wash me from her mind.

“Uhh, yeah—I mean yes, I was driving behind the defendant when I noticed her car starting to swerve, and then I saw the outline of her body looking down.”

I knew my face had to be beet red from how much heat was radiating off it, the fury almost choked me. Kathryn Maise was lying, she was lying about everything.

I could feel anger and rage beginning to bubble in my chest.

Every answer she had to all his questions was a lie. I knew all that Manon had on them but still the words hit me like a sucker punch to the gut, knocking all the wind out of me.

My vision blurred, white flooded my senses as a low ringing drowned my ears.

“She seemed distracted”

“I saw her looking down.”

“I swore I could have seen a phone in her hands.”

“So, in your opinion, would you say there could have been outside distractions that may have contributed to the accident?”

“Yes.”

The conversation faded in and out like one of the nightmares I had been experiencing. I knew I was already fading away just like the other times before; I could see the tells. The clouded brain, and distant eyes. I was trickling away one second at a time.

It took me back to the night of the accident.

For a moment, the world stopped.

I’d never experienced anything like it before—the ear-splitting sound of blood pulsing through my brain,made it just like a scene from a movie. All I could feel was pressure, ice-cold pin needle-like pressure. The tingle felt like some premature ominous way of telling myself something was really physically wrong here.

The entire hood of the SUV disappeared in milliseconds, I didn't even get the chance to blink before my strained neck flung forward, sending me straight into the steering wheel. This would be the time I ridiculed myself for never getting my airbags fixed, but I was instantly knocked out cold like my 6-month-old cat when I gave her CBD.

The second hit came from behind, glass imploded all around, sending tiny shards of the crystal clear material across my exposed skin like needles. I flew inches off of my seat, the top of my head just barely grazed the velvet-lined roof of my car, before I slammed right back into the position I was originally left in. My head hung limply over the wheel as I felt the air clear from my lungs, leaving my chest hollow and aching in the deafening silence that followed.

I was completely numb.

My mind was the only thing I could manage so I drifted away until all I heard were the muffled sounds of distant voices echoing around me. It might've been a hallucination but I could've sworn I was underwater.I guess technically I was surrounded by Lake Michigan so it wasn’t that unlikely. But when I looked around and saw my deceased mother's head just barely floating above water I knew— I had to have fainted.

She looked beautiful, the sun shined amber rays across her pale skin, almost like a lost pearl drifting at sea. The water moved slowly, there were no foamy white clouds of waves, only dark blue streams of silk.

She looked at peace, which was eerie compared to my last memory of her.

I hesitated, measuring her for a moment, before finally gaining the courage to slowly extend my arm out towards her floating body. But as soon as my shaky hand came inches away from touching her cream-colored skin, I watched her fade away until all that was left was a bright white light of nothingness. “We’re going to pull you out, okay !?”

A calm but authoritative voice broke through my faded visions, and my head twitched—a failed attempt at moving closer to the sound. Their tone was purposefully crisp and clear, it was obvious whoever was speaking to me knew what they were doing.

My eyelids began to flutter as I struggled to make sense of my surroundings, but all I could make out were blurry flashes of red and blue. They were so piercingly bright, a suffocating wave of dizziness overtook me.

The same comforting voice cut in and out like a staticky old radio, “It’s going to be alright just focus on my voi—”

Manon stood abruptly, causing a loud screech that silenced the room in a matter of seconds. Pulling me from my daydream.

“Objection! Your Honor, I’d like to question the witness.”

My eyes bulged; I don’t remember there being a plan for this.

“Proceed,” Judge Hickerson said while peeking over his glasses.

You could tell Nick wanted to snarl the way he stared Manon down as she walked up towards the podium; they had to pass each other, and I watched every second of how he twisted his lips into the creepiest smile while she ignored every bit of his essence.

I knew that really ticked him off because he forgot to uncurl the fist that gripped his stack of papers. The number of clicks from cameras that could be heard across the room was comical. They knew what exact moments to catch, and I was living for it. My face didn’t seem like it, because I was staying neutral, not wanting to give too much away.

But I couldn't help but let my face soften and my eyes widen as I focused on Manon. The sound of her heels stopping abruptly caused all the moment in the room to stop. Like she had just claimed their attention, she didn't need to clear her throat or yell, we were all already watching.

“Mrs. Maise” she started, her delicate voice had an intensity to it that drew you in, even if you didn't want to listen. Kathryn shifted in her seat, clearly uncomfortable under her judgement.

“You mentioned that you saw my client Ms. Deacon, driving erratically, looking at her phone, completely distracted. Is that correct?”

Kathryn’s brows tightened, “Yes.”

I was on the edge of my seat, wishing I could see Manon’s face, because I could feel her smile from here. The way she opened the folder sitting in front of her and started flipping through a stack of papers so casually it was almost scary.

It was nothing like when Nick had come unprepared, and he was scrambling through his mess of evidence to find something. No, Manon was being strategic, her movements were intentionally slow and controlled. Her fingers stopped before dramatically pulling out one sheet, her voice reclaimed the room.

“Well, then can you explain why you never mentioned any of this in the police report?”

Kathryn blinked, the glass cracking. Quickly her eyes flickered to Nick’s, but he was already on his feet.

“Objection, your honor! How is this related to the current state of this case?” His arms flung around frantically, slowly letting his facade crack.

“Overruled.” Judge Hickerson waved him off before turning his attention back to Manon.

The hand resting under his chin shifted as he gestured for her to continue. Nick let out an audible sigh that echoed across the room before slumping back into his chair, knees spread wide, his tie swinging off to the side. He was clearly starting to get a bit frustrated. “Mrs. Maise?” Manon pressed on, ignoring all distractions.

But if you thought Nick was starting to sweat, then Kathryn Maise was drowning. I mean, she was a horrible liar. The way her brows scrunched up as her eyes flickered between Manon and Nick, she looked like she was going to crack at any moment. Her bottom lip tucked tightly between her teeth as she began wiping her face with a napkin she whipped out of her pocket.

At that moment, I took a second to watch the jurors. Everyone sat facing Kathryn, eyes just as wide as mine, their chest leaned forward in their seats as if they were all entranced by the case.

It was all slowly unfolding right before their eyes and I didn’t have to say a single word.

“I—I don’t know. I guess, I just didn't think it was relevant at the time?”

It comes out like a question, and quickly she looks back over to the plaintiff’s table, but Nick was shaking his head.

He looked furious, the once calm facade was wearing thin as he gave up trying to act sane. The cameras flashed as his vexation became evident.

“Oh, I see,” Manon said, her voice velvet edged and strong.

“So, it wasn’t relevant the day of the accident, but now that it’s been months since it happened and you are now working with Blue Wheels, I wonder if there was any swaying in your testimony?”

Nick didn't let a beat pass before slamming the palms of his hands on the table,

“Objection! You honor, speculation!”

But Manon didn’t even falter. “Withdrawn,” she said coolly, not even nearing his octaves. Which only made him look even more embarrassing. Even the rest of his team, sitting right next to him, looked like they wanted to disappear. Their eyes darted around the room, checking to see who else was witnessing Nick’s humiliating breakdown. Although, he seemed like the only one unaware of his appearance. His eyes looked practically glazed over with fury.

“Mrs. Maise, can you confirm with the court your connection to Blue Wheels prior to your testimony today?”

Kathryn's gaze dropped to the hands that fidgeted in her lap, she looked hesitant. Like she was completely unsure of what the right thing was to say. When she looked Manon back in the eyes it was like that’s all she needed.

It reminded me of when I looked into Manon’s eyes and the way she was able to pull anything from me with just one glance. It was as if they held the power to evoke the truth from anyone.

Kathryn had broken.

Her eyes watered as her head collapsed into her hands and the whole room broke into a wave of whispers and snickers.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Judge Hickerson and the jury of the court—.”

Manon addressed everyone directly, letting her calm and steady voice carry over everyone else’s frantic ones.

“What we have here, is an unfair case of a witness who has been compensated and manipulated, to be used on trial here for you all today. This was never about justice. The moment the Blue Wheels team realized my client, Cassandra Deacon, had a dashcam linked to her full-time job with the Startrips rideshare app, everything changed.

They used their connection as sibling-owned companies to conspire against my client and purposefully withhold evidence from the court.”

The entire courtroom erupted into murmurs, even Judge Hickerson tore his glasses off his face.

“My client never swerved or drove irresponsibly, every piece of evidence that they showed in court throughout this entire trial has most likely been tampered with and is inadmissible.”

As if that was his final straw, Nick clutched the already crumpled up papers in his hands and flung them into the air. It was the most dramatic, theatrical display of frustration that you’d expect from a child, and I couldn't take it anymore. My face broke out into the brightest, most satisfied smile.

I had truly never known the elated feeling of being wrapped in a silken cocoon of euphoria until I sat there, locked into Manon’s eyes as our hearts beat as one, the room echoed the only two words that mattered—

“Not Liable.”