sat Chloe and her vernomous family legal team, radiating icy disdain. Opposite them, the rega

es and the attorney he'd hired to represent them -

and my grandson," Granny Daphne declared in ringing tones, taking the floor f

state at the time, I can vouch that my grandson acted with full capacities. He up

m gallery. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see flashes from camera phones bel

ze under the table. "Eyes front, my de

as the Adams family attorney rose, loo

James and Lily as if they were something unpleasant he'd stepped in. "That this is nothing more tha

enunciation. "Even deigning to honor such contemptible circumstances w

's heads whip around. Because shambling through the courtroom ent

nce locked eyes with her. There was a triumphant gleam in h

ds already devolving into a slur. "That hussy you see sittin' up ther

as Ryan staggered ever closer to the front, le

courtroom before I have him held in contempt," the

ve stunt," he seethed, stabbing an accusing finger at Lily. "I tried to reign her in after I made one l

withdrawing into its shell. How had this all spiraled so unimaginably out of control in just a matter of days? One min

rm, grounding squeeze. Her head whipped around to find James' haze

e murmured in a tone that brooked no argument. "This path

his lips against her ear. "Just watch, and learn exac

horitative presence seeming to amplify and c

es. "I'll thank you to cease defaming my wife in such vulgar, derogatory term

eet red. "Your WIFE? You can't be seriou

by the lapels, cutting off the rest of his sentence by lifting him clear o

y it seemed to reverberate through Lily's very core. "You'll show my wife the

an iron grip. Their faces were mere incheapart as James

day you ever disrespected

crumpled paper, allowing the man to cower in a misera

witnessed. This wasn't the first time James Watson had left her utterly breathless...but she

ely nonplussed by the proceedings - as if dramatic, hig

for everyone to retake their seats, "I believe we have ample evidence that the Watson marr

oment hearing this. But when the stoic judge turned to Lily with an arched eye

dings, anything said or decided here today extends the

, squeezing gently in tacit reassurance. A soft smile tugged at the co

ied in a clear, confident to

Lily felt herself straightening even taller, a renewe

o her life so far...she knew now without a shadow

marriage, no matter how many battles