397–We Are Comered
+25 Bonus
397–We Are Cornered
Madeline:
Being in the hospital had been difficult. Before leaving, I stood outside Baxter’s room to get a glimpse of him, but the doctor asked me to leave for now.
I could not see his face at that moment, but they promised that I would be able to see him tomorrow, so I held on to that hope.
When I returned to the motel, I slipped into bed with my children and hugged them as they slept.
The next morning, Yuvonne arrived. She had come late at night and told me that she had arranged for Ron’s grandmother, Lady Riva, to be transferred to the funeral home.
Her body was kept in refrigeration, and the burial was put on hold until Ron could be released.
Today was a big day for us, with too much happening at once. I wondered how Yuvonne would prepare herself for the hearing.
“Kids, go and play with Grandpa Jonah,” I told my children. “But please don’t bother him, okay?”
I sent them away so I could speak with Yuvonne in peace.
“What is it?” I asked her as I stood in the parking lot beside her car, which had come to pick her up.
She looked anxious ever since she woke up.
“I don’t know,” she uttered, rubbing her hands together and turning her face away. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
“You don’t have to,” I replied. “It’s okay. We’re already going through so much. What happened, happened. The public shaming was punishment enough for them.”
I reassured her that I was not going to push her. It was okay if she did not want to go through with it. I truly meant it.
That night had hurt me too, but now they were no longer on my mind. I was only thinking about Baxter, Ron, and Lady Riva.
“Are you sure?” she asked, looking hopeful, but guilty as well.
“Come on, Yuvonne. It’s okay,” I told her with a wide smile. “We need to focus on getting Ron out and making sure Baxter gets proper treatment.”
She stepped forward and hugged me, and I patted her back gently.
Just then, a warrior’s car pulled in urgently, and we both stepped apart.
The warrior stepped out, glancing at Yuvonne as he put his call on speaker.
“Alpha Ron wants to speak with you,” he informed her.
We both knew Ron was calling about the court hearing.
174
397–We Are Cornered
+25 Bonus
“Ron,” Yuvonne replied into the phone while the warrior held it out for her.
“Are you ready for it?” Ron asked. “I hope you know that I am with you.”
Even from prison, he sounded determined.
Yuvonne looked at me, as if asking for help.
“Ron,” I began slowly, “I’ve been thinking. We’re already struggling so much. I don’t want to pursue this court case. Making enemies right now would be dangerous for us.”
“What are you talking about, Madeline?” Ron demanded. “Did you forget what they did to you? How they treated Baxter?”
There was anger in his voice. He was clearly shaken by our decision.
“Ron, Graham and Elgin were at the hospital last night,” Yuvonne said. “They hinted that if I go through with this court case, they might cause us more trouble. We’ll lose the only vote we have to help Baxter.”
She finally said what had been bothering her.
I had felt that something happened after I left the hospital, but I did not know those two had frightened her like this.
“So that’s why you’re stepping back?” Ron demanded. “They’ve already caused enough trouble. I’m already in jail. Do you really think that if you deny the court hearing and forgive them, they’ll just step away?”
Ron’s voice was filled with anger.
I could only imagine how he must have felt. He was being accused of killing his own grandmother, locked away, unable to be by her side or attend her funeral. He was suffering, but he was not giving up.
“At least they’ll let Baxter be treated in the hospital,” Yuvonne urged.
“Are you kidding me?” Ron snapped. “Do you seriously think that’s what they’ll do? No, Yuvonne. This court hearing is only part of it. They’ll use this moment to control Madeline, force her into taking care of sick children, and then ask for more.” 2
His words made my chest tighten.
“So whether you go or not, it won’t matter,” he continued. “The control will still be in their hands.”
Ron’s tone was sharp, and as I listened, I realized he might be right. The thought frightened me.
Would they really use this to control me? 2
I would help sick children if that was what they asked. I would do it without hesitation. I would do anything for
Baxter.
“Anyway, the driver is here,” Ron said. “He’ll take you to court. Trust me, even if you don’t go, they’re already thinking of summoning you.
}}
His words made both of us look at each other.
2/4
397–We Are Comeredi
+25 Bonus
“What do you mean?” I asked. “What do you know?”
“My lawyer told me that if Yuvonne steps back, they’ll counterattack,” Ron explained. “They’ll accuse her of lying about their character. They’ll paint themselves as victims, gain public sympathy, and prove their innocence again.”
That changed everything.
I was relieved we had spoken to him. Without this conversation, we would have walked straight into their trap.
“So if you don’t want to go, that’s fine,” Ron continued. “But they’ll summon you anyway. You’ll still have to prove the same things you would today. Either way, we’re cornered.”
His voice steadied.
“So we might as well fight. We’ve done nothing wrong, and we have nothing to hide. Let’s face it.”
Ron’s words gave us strength.
Yuvonne and I looked at each other again. This time, we both nodded.
There was nothing else to do.
We would fight.
Ron ended the call, and we got into the car, ready to go and face them.