"𝙷𝚎'𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚏𝚎𝚌𝚝 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚑𝚎'𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝙸 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝."
~~~

𝐒𝐚𝐠𝐞'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

For a moment I'm not entirely sure where I am.

It takes a couple of seconds to register the camera's flashing lights blinding me and the throbbing ache pulsating back and forth through my temple before I can scrutinize my surroundings.

My head is on a continuous swivel as I put a hand up to shield my own eyes from the journalist holding microphones and recorders towards the bottom of my chin.

Kelsey stands just a few feet down, casting worried glances in my direction while my face practically pleads for help.

As bad as I wanted her to use her reckless mouth to get them to piss off like she's done countless times before, I knew right now it was best we kept our distance.

"Ms. Winters, are you hopeful of the court's decision today?" A reporter pushes up against my shoulder with clear determination in her path, my body lurches over at the contact.

"Ms. Winters, will you take the stand against your former agent, Ms. Vincent?" A camera the size of a football nearly connects to my forehead and the hired security guards have to shove people away in order for us to see the double doors up ahead.

We're nearly there I say to myself, trying to tune out the fifty million questions getting thrown at me left and right. "How has your boyfriend taken the news? I'm sure he won't leave New York till this has all settled."

I don't need to look in the mirror to know all the color had drained from my face.

Now that Zachariah's transfer news has spread rampant across campus, news outlets have gotten ahold of the information as well.

It's been two weeks and the knot in my chest can't seem to untie itself.

Vic notices the way my expression closed up and immediately runs a comforting hand across my shoulder. I give her a forced smile in which she returns a genuine one.

Once we get inside, the guards lead us to a more private room, that's just down the hall from where the actual hearing would be taking place. It's small but there's a couch, coffee machine and table adjacent to the windows overlooking the busy city of Manhattan.

As soon as the doors close Vic loses her cool like I expected. "Those fucking idiots. I want to rip every one of their tiny little di—

"Ms. Winters control your entourage." My blank faced attorney walks in, stopping Vic mid sentence before dropping his briefcase on the desk in front of me. He was pissed. Someone tipped off the press and as the headlines outlined my name with rumors, lies and theories, they were outlining him as well. Something tells me he thinks we're going to lose today.

A hand touches my shoulder and a shiver runs down my spine gearing towards hope. I spin on my heel and my expectations go down the drain.

What did you expect Sage? That he would still come to support you even though you broke his heart.

My heart says yes but my mind only disagrees

"Hey sweetie."

My smile fades for half a second before I mask my disappointment. "Dad." I sigh, thankful he made it in safely. "How'd you get in? The pap didn't bother you, did they?"

"No, no. Some guy had brought me in through another door. I don't know how they knew it was me but I'm eternally grateful."

Kelsey

She was the only one who knew my Dad got anxious around paparazzi.

"Is this everyone sitting behind you?" Matthew questions looking around, with clear disappointment attached to his face.

I feel the pulse in my chest weaken, knowing I was going into that room with one less person in my corner.

"We're all she needs." Dad answers, sending me a reassuring smile as I swallow the hard truth that Zach wasn't coming. If I read the letter correctly that meant he was on a flight to Texas.

Matthew murmurs under his breath before pinching the bridge of his nose. "Sage, I'd like to speak to you alone. If I can have you the two of you wait in the courtroom. This won't take long."

Dad and Vic reluctantly agree once I tell them it's alright to leave us alone.

"What was that?" I immediately voice as the door clicks close, snapping my head in his direction. Matthew seems more than unfazed by my hostile tone but I'm done following orders and being on the outskirts of this case that would ultimately determine the next few years of my life.

"Sage, I made a few calls this morning and because of how public this case is, the judge may use you as an example. Its unfortunate but I thought it was best that I prepare you for the worst case scenario so you aren't caught off guard out there."

"What?" I understand what he's saying but nothing else seems appropriate to say.

"Unless you nail that testimony I don't see how you walk out of her without more legal fees on your hands and a load ton of PR statements to put out." He explains.

"But you said we would win. That because of my mother being incompetent to sign that contract our chances were high. What good did it do to get my hopes up just for you to practically bail at the last minute."

"No one is bailing, Sage." He comes around the table to sit down in the chair next to mine. My leg is moving non stop underneath the cramped desk as I try to dissolve my nerves. "We tried paying a visit to your mother to strengthen your story, but she declined any visitors. The odds just aren't in your favor for this one. As I stated before, it's my job as your attorney to be as honest with you as possible."

As I enter the courtroom I'm burdened by stares, frozen with unthinkable fear and left with a momentary numbness only one person was capable of ridding.

I take my designated seat in the chair next to Matthew before glancing over to my right where Kelsey and her lawyers are in a heated discussion with each other.

Once the bailiff enters through the double doors, everyone turns their attention to the front of the courtroom. Judge Miller walks in with his chin held high and a blank stare spread across his features like he had much better things to be doing. Everyone stands to their feet once the Bailiff orders us to rise.

Just standing up causes a mountain of nerves to run its course through my veins. I look over my shoulder for a second and Vic gives me a sly thumbs up and this time instead of Zach mouthing I love you, Dad replaces him.

The corners of my mouth lift only a fraction.

In no time, I'm called to the stand for my closing testimony and all eyes are on me. I go through the regular routine and swear myself under the oath. The chair beneath me is stark cold and the wood creeks as I shift around to a more comfortable position.

Kelseys lawyer, Richards walks up to the stand with her black horned rimmed glasses in one hand and an irritatingly smug smirk across her overly tan face. My eyes darted from her to the door and back to her. Stop it Sage. He isn't coming. I'm not entirely sure if everyone else in the room could hear the rampant thud of my heart beating against my ribcage but I could and it was severely distracting.

"You may proceed, counsel." Judge Miller announced, crossing his arms over his chest.

She nods firmly and shortens the space between us while looking me directly in the eye. And in that moment I just knew something sinister was going to leave her mouth. "Ms. Winters, is it true that you're sleeping with my client's brother?"

"Objection!" My attorney shouted but his voice faded into the background of the noises I'm hearing. The little audience we had began murmuring underneath their breaths, clearly not expecting the intimacy of the question.

I twist the–his ring that's still on my finger, while attempting to keep my face neutral. "Wh-What does that have to do with this case?"

"Overruled. Answer the question, Ms. Winters." Judge Miller advised sternly.

I swallow a lump of emotion and a fraction of my pride in the process. "No, no I am not."

"Sorry, let me rephrase." She shakes her head, smiling, like she had me cornered and my heart twists in disgust at how pleased she looked with herself. "Were you sleeping with my client's brother? Yes or no."

Shit.

Remembering I was under oath, I answered slowly. "Yes, I was."

"And did you use that as a way to manipulate Ms. Vincent? Use her brother to soften her up so you could get your way."

"Absolutely not." I grit through my clenched teeth. It was getting harder to maintain my composure.

"Ms. Winters, are you aware of the strain you put on Ms. Vincent and her brother's relationship? Did you use Zachariah Stone as blackmail so my client could release you prior to your contract ending."

None of this was making sense. My throat felt like it was closing in, like if I spoke no sound would come out. I glance over at Kelsey who looks equally as shocked to what her attorney was insinuating.

"No, I said no! Stop asking me these ridiculous, outlandish questions." I fume.

"Control your client, Mr. Roman." Judge Miller expressively warned.

Matthew gives me a what the hell are you doing look as I shrink back into my seat.

"Are you denying my right to ask you any questions, Ms.Winters?"

"No, no I'm not. Sorry." I mutter. The defeat in my voice was evident that everything, including the plan we had was backfiring. I was going to lose this case today and this would have all been for nothing.

"Your honor, permission to proceed with the original copy of Major models contract signed by Sage Winters and her mother."

"Allowed." He grunts.

My breathing became shallow so in a search for comfort I glanced over at the row of seats where my family sat, but I lost it instead when I noticed Vic had disappeared from her chair. I look around the entire courtroom but there's no sign she was even here.

"Is this your signature?" She places the photocopied paper in front of me and I don't need to look down to know my name was written across the last line.

"Yes, it is."

"Is this your mothers signature?"

I glanced at the scribbly lines and curves spelling out Jennifer Winters and I do everything in my power to stop that day from replaying in my head.

"Y-yes."

She slams the folder close, before snatching it up with her pointed manicured nails. "The prosecution rests."

The judge nods, then peers over at Matthew. "Counsel of the defendant. You're up."

"Your honor, I'd like to bring forth new evidence."

My head snaps to his direction. We hadn't discussed any new evidence.

"Objection, both parties haven't been aware of any new evidence." Richards stands to announce. She looks completely taken off guard and so do I.

"Respectfully your honor, we were only granted this recording just a few minutes ago. Now we all know the Plaintiff is itching to get to closing statements but let's please try and have a fair hearing."

The judge holds his stare as he contemplates his choice. The air in the room thickens with unresolvable tension. Directly across from me Kelsey's lawyer looks like she's seconds from bursting with anger as he speaks. "Let's hear this recording."

"Thank you, your honor." Matthew replied, taking out a recording device from a brown paper bag. My gaze wanders until it lands on Victoria who's back in her chair with her hands crossed and a hopeful look in her eyes. Once Matthew hits the play button a few silent seconds pass by until a sound is filling all ears in the room.

I recognize that voice anywhere.

It still haunts me.

But the smooth deep voice speaking after her causes my heart to constrict and endless questions to consume my mind.

RECORDING

"How much do you want?" 

Zach?

"W-what?"  My mother answers.

"I won't repeat myself." Zach warns.

Mother: "Five hundred thousand."

Zach: "To stay out of Sage's life, stop blackmailing Kelsey and admit you were unemotionally fit to sign Sage onto Major Models.

Mother: "How do I know you even have this money?"

Zach: "Correct me if I'm wrong but you've done the research so you know who my father is. My trust fund opens at the end of the year. You'll get your money even if it's all that I have left."

Mother: "Deal."

Zach: "I'll be in touch."

"Oh and Zach..." My mothers tone sounded conniving "Make sure you're not going through all this trouble just for Sage to break your heart. It'll be a shame for all that money to go to waste."

The recording stops and I feel like time does as well.

My eyes glide over to my father who's trying so hard to keep his emotions in check at the sound of his ex-wife who was willing to pawn me off for half a million dollars. His eyes crinkle with defeat as he shamefully looks away and I desperately want to run in his arms and tell him none of this was his fault.

Running a hand through her wavy golden blonde hair, Kelsey looks just as relieved this tape was entered into evidence. Without it, I might've had no chance. From an outsider's perspective you would think she was on our side.

Vic lips struggle to stay down as she shakes her head approvingly before dabbing the corners of her eyes with a napkin. No doubt in my mind it's taking everything in her not to stand up and shout I told you so in this courtroom.

Richards suddenly stands, causing her chair to scrap roughly against the floor. "Your honor, th-this is clear-ly fabricated and conflict of interest. We don't even know if that is Mrs. Winters—

"Quiet." He signals, raising his calloused hand. "You may return to your seat Ms. Winters." Nodding, I stand on wobbly knees and walk back to the spot next to Matthew.

"Your honor, in this recording, we clearly hear Mrs. Winters,  Sages mother, willingly admit to blackmailing Ms.Vincent, using her fifteen year old daughter as a means for her own financial gain. The client's mother is currently in rehab for drug and alcohol abuse, which can be verified that it was ongoing prior to the signing of the Major Models deal. There is no justifying sending this young woman back into the industry if she has no desire to do so. Major Models is clearly at fault for not handling the emotional abuse my client has sustained better. And to subject their own agents to blackmail is a disservice to both parties. I'd like to have all penalties dismissed so Ms.Winters can get back to her life and so Ms.Vincent can do her job effectively without the pressure of blackmail."

Matthew finishes off his statement and it's quite obvious he knew exactly what he was doing. The word play, emotion, evidence based facts were all imputed into one strong speech that even the Judge had no sly remark to come back with.

"Well," Judge Miller clears his throat and straightens his back in the antique swivel chair that I swear might break any minute. " I think I've heard and paid thorough attention to both litigants and their evidence. It's clear who was at fault here." He pauses and so does the pulse in my body. I search his eyes to measure how serious he is and the expression on his face doesn't give any hint to what's going to leave his mouth next.

I want to throw up. I want to scream. I want to run.

Exactly in that order.

"I'm ordering the company Major Models release Ms. Winters from her Five Year Binding contract immediately and issue a $500,000 reimbursement for emotional damages as well as implementing mental health counseling for all employees and models associated with this agency. As for Ms. Vincent it is up to you to decide if you are interested in pressing charges on Jennifer Winters as soon as the entirety of this recording is released to your local police."

With that he smacks his gavel and stands. "Judgment for the defendant. This court is adjourned."

My body cripples back into the chair from the overwhelming feeling of raw pent up emotion taking over.  It bubbles out of me as a silent cry leaves my lips. I let my head fall between my legs in order to stop my sobs from becoming any more erratic.

In a matter of seconds, I feel two pairs of arms surround me, intentionally stopping my shoulders from shaking violently. Vic murmurs soft whispers into my ear that just make me cry even harder.

Once I face Matthew, I know I look like a complete mess when he cracks a genuine smile. It's the first time I've seen him do that and speaks lowly so only I can hear. "Congratulations, Sage. You deserve this."

Looking away from him, I come in contact with my dad who currently has streams of tears falling down his face and I know they are a result of the lifted weight off his shoulders. He no longer has to feel responsible for not being here when all of this  transpired.

Closing my eyes in an attempt to stop more tears of my own from falling, I step into his comforting embrace while burying my head into his shoulder and letting my curls curtain my face.

"Dad." I cry, my voice cracks.

"I know, sweetheart. I know." He palms the back of my head as I continue to break down. We stay there for another longing moment or two until I finally muster up the courage to lift my head and look around through my wet lashes.

Dragging my eyes forward and across the courtroom while still in my dad's arms, I see him and my entire body stiffens besides my fluttering heart.

The first thing I fixate on is his eyes that were bloodshot red with exhaustion and heartache but still carrying a tinge of relief through them. He's wearing a black button down covered by his usual leather jacket and his hair look disheveled like he had run his hand through it countless times.

Then it all clicked.

He wasn't in Texas. He missed his flight to bring the recording.

With his hands in his pockets, Zachariah gave me one last piercing look before dropping his head and turning around where he walked through the double doors leading towards the exit.

Still wrapped in my Dads arms, I accidentally let my thoughts slip through my lips with a whisper. The same word he begged me to say just two weeks ago.

"Stay."

End of Chapter
I'm not crying you are. Ughh the angst and heartbreak in this one is really killing me. Sage is finally free from the contract. THANK GOD...and me.

VOTE IF U WANT A HAPPY ENDING *evil laughs*