She probably shouldn’t have left the jellybeans, but it was all she could give him to show she cared, would always care about him. She closed her eyes and snuggled into her covers. Tomorrow she might try to stay away… or she might try to see him again. Eight weeks and two days had been far too long. He might not want to see her, but either way, she knew at some point she would reach out to him again.

In the brightest morning hours, Jude had already dressed for the day and finished breakfast before leaving just after eleven for her eleven thirty appointment. Her mother was living in a different bedroom and if she wasn’t there, she was out. Three weeks ago, she had asked her why she stayed. When she answered that she’d stayed for Jude, her heart had felt a little lighter. She would stay to serve her sentence alongside her. Jude hugged her that day. It was the first of many to come and she no longer felt so alone.

Isla had rented an apartment in Tribeca. She occasionally came over to take Jude to lunch or out for coffee, but she was trying to separate herself from the others. Jude understood. Distance often seemed the only way to survive.

Even Nadia had flown the coup. She took a job in Brooklyn, not even entertaining a counter offer from Brewster Boehler.

Jude rarely saw her aunt, which suited her just fine. And her stepfather worked longer hours, making the house a much more peaceful place to live. But Jude still had Roman. Her friend. Her confidant. He welcomed her with a smile and she hugged him. “Thank you for staying.”

“I stay if you stay.”

“I’d go if I could go.”

He chuckled and walked to the door with her. “Busy day?” he asked with delight in his eyes.

Her confidant knew all.

“Very busy. I should get going.”

He always looked at her as if it would be the last time he saw her. She rubbed his arm, and said, “I’ll see you later.”

“I’ll see you soon, Hummingbird.”

Twenty minutes later she entered the doctors’ office and took a seat in the waiting room. Lacy walked in, the wind blowing her hair and covering her face until the door closed. The two ladies had become good friends, allies even, and Lacy spent her days off in the city visiting her. They hugged before Lacy sat down and asked, “Are you ready?”

“I’m ready,” Jude replied, smiling so big. “So ready.”

They were called into Dr. Robert’s office and sat on the other side of the desk from him. He greeted them, happy as always. “Your system has been clear of the meds for two months now. We completed more than enough sessions together for me to give an assessment. I’ve typed my professional opinion and emailed your lawyer. As of today, there is no medical basis for your family to retain conservatorship over you.” He sighed. “I’m afraid there probably never was, but we can’t fight the past. I just hope you get the justice for your future.” He stood up and held his hand out. When Jude took it, he clasped his other over it, and added, “If you need anything, a witness on your behalf, I’m here for you.”

Jude was in shock. Freedom. The doctor had just confirmed what she knew already, but to hear the words come from his mouth… it hadn’t sunk in, but she felt grateful. “Thank you so much.”

Lacy picked up the letterhead and stood. “Thank you, Dr. Robert, for helping her. I know you don’t normally take on cases free of charge, but I thought you’d understand once you met Jude.”

From the moment Lacy had introduced Jude to Dr. Robert, Jude felt at ease in his presence. He was an older gentleman with gray hair and a clean-shaven face. He had always spoken to her with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. He restored her faith in doctors because he never treated her like a pawn to be used and manipulated. He came around the desk to open the door for the women, but stopped and said, “You’re a remarkable young woman. Promise to do great things with this life of yours.”

“I promise.” She walked to him and hugged him. Was it professional? No. But she didn’t care. This man was helping to get her life back. A hug of thanks felt necessary. “Thank you so much for believing me.”

“I believe in you.”

Lacy and Jude left the psychiatrist’s office and walked with purpose a few blocks farther to a tall glass building. Lacy hugged Jude, and said, “I think you’re ready for this.”

“You’re not coming with me?”

“Nope. You’ve got this!”

Jude had come to rely on Lacy for so much, but she was right. She needed to stand on her own by taking these final steps on her own. “Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need it. Call me later though and fill me in on the plan.”

Jude hugged her once more, grateful for her support, but even more so for her friendship. “I will. Thank you for everything, but especially for being my friend.”

Lacy embraced her just as tightly. “Thank you for being mine. Now go. I want to save my mushy tears for when you walk out of that courthouse. Then we’ll go celebrate.”

Nodding, Jude stepped toward the door. “I’ll call you soon.” She turned from her friend and walked inside the building. Excitement built as she took the elevator up. When she was led down the hall to her lawyer’s office, her nerves kicked in.

Caleb Monroe had taken Jude Boehler on pro bono. He had worked with Taylor Barrett a few months back, and taken an interest in her case. After his client had previously lost and the appeal was denied, Caleb was determined to right things for the both of them. He and Jude sat at a small round table piled high with files. She set the letter down and he smiled. “This is a victory. You understand, Jude? Take everything else we’re fighting for off the table, and this doctor’s letter alone can get your rights back. Don’t get me wrong. We’re still going to take them for everything they own, but this will be enough to get your freedom back.”

Music to Jude’s ears. A sense of amazement came over her and her heart filled with joy. Jude sat on her hands to help contain her eagerness. “I don’t care about the money. I just want…” She stopped to gather her emotions—happiness, hope, faith. She was just given a gift of all of those. But wanting to know his intention for her family, she asked, “What will the final petition say?”

He grabbed a thick file and set it in front of her. “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but there’s no way the Boehlers can fight against this much evidence. At the forefront, we want you to be able to make your own decisions regarding your well-being. We want no ties to them in any way—financially, medically, or emotionally. They will pay you all monies owed, in full, from your inheritance that they stole from you under duress from the estate of Merwyn Boehler, your step-uncle. Or all monies that remain in their accounts currently, if less than the overall inheritance.”

Jude would normally feel sympathetic for purposely hurting others, but not them. She would hurt them where they would feel it the most—their bank accounts. If only she would have meant as much to them as money did, things would be so different. Her life would have been so different.

“Dr. Conroy will be charged with extortion of a patient as well as medical misconduct.” He pulled another large file across the table. “The staff has been more than happy to help the case. He’s a hated man. He’ll lose his medical license, everything he has, and spend time in jail if we win.”

“When are you filing?”

“I was only waiting on Doctor Robert’s counsel and recommendation. Now that we have it, there’s no reason to wait. I can start the paperwork today. It can be filed tomorrow morning.”

“How long do you think it will take to get a court date?”

Caleb tilted his head in thought. “I wouldn’t think more than two weeks. I’m listing that it’s a concern to be under their care any longer. We could luck out and get something early next week. You have your private phone still?”