Chapter 173. Grace Takes the Stand

Tristan's POV

The courtroom felt smaller than it had before. Perhaps it was because I knew what was coming this time. Before, I sat through the preliminary hearing, listening to my name being attached to accusations that made my stomach turn. Today, I would have to sit there and listen to Grace tell her version of everything, under oath, with Alex Mendez standing beside her, ready to turn every word into another weapon. And I had absolutely no idea what she was going to say.

I sat beside Reggie, my hands clasped together on the polished wooden table. My dark suit felt too tight around my shoulders, although I knew perfectly well it wasn’t. I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes the previous night, I imagined Grace sitting on the witness stand, crying, pointing fingers, and describing me as someone I barely recognized. A predator. An abuser. A man who couldn’t accept reject