"I'm so nervous," Eileen said as she walked into the courthouse with Lawrence, Veronica, and Arthur.
"Don't worry. Just answer the questions as honestly as you can. That's all you have to do," Arthur said.
Lawrence put his arm around her as they walked. "You'll do fine."
"Oh, there's Lucy," Eileen said, seeing her friend standing alone across the room. "Do you think I should say something to her?"
"I think you should," Veronica said. "It would be a nice gesture. She looks like she could use a friend, right now."
"I'm not sure she thinks of me as a friend anymore."
"I think if you make an effort, you might be surprised," Veronica said. "Your father and I will see if the courtroom is open and find out where you need to go."
Eileen hesitated as Veronica and Arthur walked away.
"I'll go with you, unless you want to speak with her alone," Lawrence said.
Eileen smiled weakly at him, took his hand, and they walked over to Lucy together.
When Lucy saw Eileen and Lawrence approaching, she turned and started to walk away.
"Lucy, wait," Eileen called out, hurrying forward.
Lucy sighed and reluctantly turned around. "I'm really not in the mood to talk to you, Eileen. I have a lot on my mind right now."
"I know, that's why I came over. I wanted to see how you were doing. I know this must be so hard for you."
"It might have been easier if I had known all along what had happened like you did."
"I'm sorry, Lucy. I know I didn't do things the best way, but I meant well."
"You know, Eileen, I really don't need to hear your excuses right now. I'm about to go into that courtroom where I will have to sit through all the details of my father's death again and listen while that two-faced piece of scum that you lied for and tried to protect, and his sleazy lawyers try to defend him and make him sound innocent. You will have to excuse me if I don't care what you meant or didn't mean to do."
"Lucy . . ." Eileen said weakly, but her back was already turned. "I'm here to testify against Hector. We're on the same side."
When Lucy didn't respond, Lawrence put his arm around Eileen's shoulders. "Let's go find Arthur and Veronica."
Once she heard their footsteps move away, Lucy turned around. Seeing Eileen lean on Lawrence as he walked with her towards the courtroom, made her miss Craig. She was furious at him for taking off the way he did. He was her husband, he should have been here for her.
She glanced at the doorway, just as Victoria Burgess walked into the courthouse. She watched as the older woman glanced around uncertainly before their eyes met. They exchanged a cold look just before Victoria turned around to address someone walking in behind her.
As they moved away from the door, Lucy was shocked to see Justin. Her heart sunk as he nodded at Victoria and took her coat as she walked towards the courtroom. What was he doing with her?
When he looked up, their eyes met and he gave her a slight smile of acknowledgment before casting his eyes downwards and following Mrs. Burgess into the courtroom.
"Mrs. Sexton, the trial's about to start."
Lucy nodded and thanked the bailiff before walking towards the courtroom. It seemed like everyone but her had someone here for them today. She felt so completely alone.
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