Page 152 of Under Your Scars

His body slumps to the floor, and his friend stares at me in shock, his gaze fixated on the knife in my left hand. His terrified brown eyes meet my noxious green ones, and I growl out another deep breath as I hear the blood dripping from my body down to the floor.

I throw my arm over his shoulders like we’re best buds, and then lean in close to him.

“Run.”

He takes off like a bat out of hell, tripping over his friend’s dead body, abandoning his backpack and flashlight.

As he’s climbing over the pharmacy counter, I shoot him in the back. I yawn as I watch his body fall backwards over the counter, landing with a crack on the white tiles of the floor.

I did say he’d live longer, didn’t I?

CHAPTER 47

THE ANGEL

“I’m going to puke.”

Christian squeezes my hand and gives me that billion-dollar smile. “Elena, relax. Everything’s going to be fine.”

“But what if it’s not? What if—”

He shuts me up with a kiss. It does nothing to calm my nerves. My foot bounces nervously against the marble floors of the courthouse. I watch people walk by. They all look so unhappy to be here. I guess that’s understandable. Courthouses aren’t exactly a place where good things happen. Especially not here in Meridian City.

I stand up abruptly and pull my phone out of my purse. Hesitantly, my finger shakes as I slowly tap the name of the one person I really need to hear from right now.

I’m sorry. Mailbox full. Goodbye!

My head sags as I drop my hand to my side, phone clutched in my fingers like a lifeline. I’ve heard that automatic message so many times at this point that I don’t know what I’d do if my dad actually answered.

I drop my phone back into my purse and take my seat next to Christian, tucking my head in the crook of his neck. I breathe in the scent of his expensive cologne and run my fingers along the soft fabric of his suit.

“Just give him some time. It’s only been a few weeks.”

I let out a shaky exhale, refusing to let tears fall. Today is going to be a good day. It has to be.I need it to be.

The doors next to our bench open and the bailiff walks out. He glances around the hallway and his eyes land on us.

“Christian and Elena Reeves?” He motions towards the door. “Please come in.”

We stand and walk into the courtroom. It’s so….dull. Cherry brown wood that hasn’t been updated in decades makes up the entirety of the room, from the walls to the benches to the floors.

Christian and I take a seat at the assigned table with our attorney, Jason Lockhart, and wait several long minutes by ourselves before the doors open again, and three lawyers, a social worker, and representative from the orphanage enter, along with a tiny blonde head of hair.

“Hi Elena!” Caroline shouts, loud enough for it to echo off the wooden walls. Her bunny stuffed animal is tucked into her elbow like it always is.

The representative shushes her and ushers her into the table opposite of us. Christian and I give her a small wave, and I suddenly feel those nerves kick into overdrive.

Another few minutes of waiting, and the judge takes her place at the front of the room.

“Good morning,” she greets. “We are here for cause number MC-2020-06378-A,Ex Partein the Matter of Christian Thomas Reeves and Elena Louise Reeves For the Adoption of a Minor Child.” The judge clears her throat and looks towards Caroline and the five adults surrounding her. “The Court has reviewed the Petition for Adoption filed by Christian and Elena Reeves for the adoption of a minor child born August 23, 2015, in Meridian City, New Jersey. In addition, the Court has reviewed numerous reports and recommendations of the Child and Family Services Agency, the Thomas and Elizabeth Reeves Memorial Orphanage, and the Meridian City Advocates for Orphaned Children.”

I begin to shake and Christian squeezes my hand again. I squeeze his back so hard I think I might dent my wedding ring.

“Having reviewed the aforementioned Petition and reports, the Court finds that the following statements aretrue. The child is physically and mentally suitable for adoption. The petitioners are fit to financially provide proper shelter, food, and education to the Child. Petitioner Elena Louise Reeves has had no arrests in the six months preceding the Petition.”

The smile falls from my face when that’s where the judge stops. I look up at Christian, and all the color has drained from his face.

The judge looks at us from over the glasses perched on the tip of her nose. “Having reviewed the aforementioned Petition and reports, the Court finds that the following statements arefalse.”