chpt. 7

A few weeks later.

I stand in court, my lawyer next to me, as she explains the amounts of abuse I went through. I had to go to the bathroom a few times throughout the trial to vomit as they played videos and recordings.

Recordings I made as evidence. With the help of Johnny Storm. After we got out of that hole, dust and dirt all over us, I didn't want him to help me with my almost ex-husband. At first.

Until I saw him with that woman again. Until he hit me again, leaving bruises all over. I then waited until he left for work. I called Johnny's number— as he was my last chance to get out of this abusive relationship—and was greeted by Susan Storm.

"This is Susan Storm, I'll take a message for Johnny Storm." She greeted me.

I take breath, "This is Y/n L/n. Can you please tell him I'll accept his help?" The line went dead.

I then nervously paced and waited for a few hours after that. Until the phone rang again. I nearly jumped, picking up the phone.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Y/n?" It was Johnny.

"Yes, hi!" I had replied, adrenaline coursing through me. Please, please, please.

"Sue said you called earlier—"

"I accept your help! With my husband, I mean. I need your help, Johnny. Please." I had begged.

I could feel him smile at the other end of the line, "Are you sure?" He asked.

"Yes! Please, just get me out of this. You're the only one that can help." I said.

He chuckled, "Okay. I'll help you. When does your husband work—"

That's how it started. He asked me for my husband's schedule and personal things. He told me to record whenever my husband would hit me or we would argue. It was hard to do. To endure abuse when I knew the freedom from the relationship was so close. But I pushed through.

I eventually got enough evidence to go to the police and testify against him and, ultimately, divorce him. Johnny went with me, of course. His family still didn't agree with his decision, but when I came out of the room where they took pictures of all my wounds and bruises—I saw Susan Storm.

She was sitting in one of the waiting chairs, reading a magazine, flipping lazily through the pages. I also saw Paparazzi outside the police doors—one police officer closed the blinds on them with a sigh.

"Are you alright, Y/n?" Susan had asked me.

"I'm okay." I replied meekly.

She sighed, "I know Johnny said we didn't agree with him, we don't. But I want to be here as support for you. Woman to woman." She had winked.

Johnny looked surprised, "So you're helping?" He asked.

Susan shaked her head, "Not with all the legal things. That's your responsibility. Emotionally, yes." She turned to me with a soft smile.

I started to bawl right there in the police station. With the help of Johnny over a couple of weeks, we got all the legal things out of the way and I actually became friends with Susan. I think. They also got me a new place, and a car, since they're all in my husband's name.

She would let me talk to her a lot, and even recommended a psychiatrist to see, which helped a lot over the course of a few weeks.

Which leads me to where I'm standing in the courtroom. Testifying against my abusive husband. I turn my head and see Johnny, Susan, Ben and even Reid—he took a while of convincing on Johnny's part—but ultimately came because of Susan. I'm still glad he's here.

Johnny gives me a thumbs up with a grin and Susan smiles lightly, Ben waves. I grin and turn back.

"—Your Honour." My lawyer finishes.

"I'll take that into consideration, thank you."

We are all then excused from the courtroom for an hour. The doors close heavily behind me and I sit on the bench attached to the wall. My lawyer sits next to me, placing her hand on mine.

"We'll win this." She says and glares at my husband as he passes with his lawyer.

"Thanks." I mutter. And hour can't pass fast enough.

+

I come out of the court room, waving the signed divorce papers, a huge grin on my face.

My lawyer hugs me, jumping up and down, "I told you!" She exclaims.

She let's me go and I laugh, "You did! Thank you for all your help!" I say, hugging her again.

"My pleasure!" She says.

I'm then attacked by Johnny in a hug. He spins me around in a circle, laughing in my ear. He then sets me down gently on the ground, and massive grin on his face.

"Told ya." He whispers.

"Thank you, really. All of you." I say to each of them—Johnny, Susan, Ben, Reid and my lawyer. They all smile at me.

When I exit the building with them, I take off my ring, throwing it in the nearest trash can.

For the first time in years, I feel relief.

For the first time in years,  I feel happiness.

For the first time in years, I feel hope.

_

Just realized I spelled it Reid instead of Reed the entire fic so far😂 oops