Layla POV“Hello,” I answer the phone as I see Mia’s name appear on the screen. I have been worried sick about her. The fact that Pamela is not letting Richard see Mia is breaking my heart. I know that he is suffering because of it, he doesn’t show it, but I know he is. “Layla, hi,” she says, and I smile as I look out of the bus window. “Hi, sweetheart, how are you?” I ask as I smile to the lady that just sat down next to me. I don’t usually get the bus, but the day is unseasonably warm, and I thought it would be better than the subway. “I am good, I am with Dad, and we are wondering if you would like to come for lunch with us?” She asks, and I feel my heart beating faster. “Of course,

Richard POV“This is not a conversation I am having with you, Layla. I am having with Mia; now answer the question,” I shout at Mia, and she jumps. Mia opens her eyes, locking on me. I see fear in them once again, not the calm she had previously. “I need to go do something in my room,” Jo says in a way I don’t recognize. She is trying to get away from us. She excuses herself, leaving us alone. Layla looks at Mia while she looks back at me. I feel like they are conspiring against me. “I am not having sex, Dad, and I don’t want to talk about this with you,” Mia says as she stands up, throwing her napkin at the table. She quickly runs up the stairs.“Mia, get back here,” I shout, trying to stop her, but I don’t even know why I did it. She won’t stop, she won’t come back, she has lost t

Richard POV“Oh my God, you’re okay” Pamela says to Mia, and I swear to God I am going to destroy her; she will regret the fucking day she was born. The cops start pushing me to the elevator, but Mia stops them. “Mom? What is happening? Let go of my Dad”, Mia shouts at the cops, and they stop walking. They look confused. Good.“Miss, are you okay? Have you been hurt?” The detective asks, and I can tell Layla is confused; her hands are shaking, and her eyes are watery. “Of course, she is not,” Pamela says, and I close my hands into fists, but the cuffs cut my circulation. Fuck this is uncomfortable. Mia takes another step away from Pamela.“I am okay. Why are you arresting my dad?” Mia asks, “he has done nothing wrong, and why are you here?” Mia asks, looking at her mother.

Layla POVThe trial has been going on for hours, and I haven’t been called yet. Every time James looks back at me I can see Richard fidgeting in his chair, and I avoid his eyes. I feel bothered by James’s stare in my direction. I can tell that his lawyer is warning him to avoid looking at me, but he doesn’t really care. We’re almost having a lunch break, and for once, I am quite happy. “Stand” I hear a police officer say and we all stand the judge leaves his chair walking into his chamber in the back of the courtroom. Julien turns to face me and smiles. “Where are we having lunch?” He asks, and I shrug as James starts walking toward me.“I need the restroom,” I say, avoiding eye contact with him, better yet, avoiding him completely. I exit the room and rush to the bathroom. There are two women inside, and they are laughing and cheering. One of them is wea

Layla POV“Miss Layla? There are flowers here for you,” Angie says, and I frown, standing from the couch and grabbing the beautiful bouquet she brought to me. “Oh, Richard didn’t say anything,” I let out, and she smiled as she placed them in the middle of the coffee table. I take a big whiff and smile. They smell beautiful. There’s a little card. I pick it up and smile at my name written on it.I open the small envelope, and my heart beats fast, and I cover my mouth with my free hand in shock. “Flowers to the most beautiful flower in the world. Someday you will realize that you’re supposed to be with me. I love you more than flowers need water to survive. James XOXO” I drop the card as if not has given me an electric shock, and Angie looks at me concerned.