I walked away feeling just a little lighter, and it made going into tomorrow a little better.

* * *

I woke up early, getting myself ready for a day I hoped I would forget very soon. Making sure everything was pressed and looking sharp, I opted for minimal makeup with a low, sleek ponytail. I walked out of the hotel and took an Uber to the courthouse. My stomach growled at the lack of food, but I was too afraid to eat because I was so nervous. I got out of the car, smoothing my skirt and making sure my jacket was wrinkle-free.

I was extra early, hoping that Victoria would also show up early, like I asked. I didn’t want to have to sit through court again, and the best way to do this was to offer her a settlement. If she didn’t take it, then we would have to go to court anyway, so we might as well try to come to an arrangement. The echo of my heels bounced off the walls as I walked towards the courtyard that was off to the side of the building. I opened the door and saw Victoria and Evelyn sitting on a bench, sharing a muffin. Evelyn was absolutely gorgeous. She was a perfect blend of her mother and father. My heart hurt for her because she would never truly know her father.  She could have, if only he had been truthful. His lies and deceit not only affected me, but Victoria and Evelyn too.

As I walked closer to them, Victoria looked up at me. Her expression hardened when she saw it was me.

“Good Morning.” I greeted them. “Can I sit here?” I asked.

“Good Mornin’,” Evelyn responded to me, looking a little confused.

Victoria nodded at me, and I took a seat.

“Thank you for meeting me,” I said, pulling my purse off my shoulder. “I know we have to deal with each other again, in circumstances that I never knew we would have to endure.”

I looked at Victoria, really studying her and beneath all the anger I knew she had to be mourning. She lost a lover and the father of her child. If I recalled correctly, she grew up without a father, too. She said nothing to me, and I felt her and Evelyn’s stares on me.