Chapter 33

Friday morning arrived with the weight of finality that came with legal proceedings that would reshape the rest of Nathan's life. He and Trevor arrived at the law firm thirty minutes early, both men understanding that punctuality mattered when your freedom hung in the balance. The lobby felt different today, less like a waiting room and more like the antechamber to a courtroom where Nathan's future would be decided.

They settled into the familiar leather chairs, Nathan's leg bouncing with nervous energy while Trevor maintained his usual protective vigilance. Every few minutes, Nathan glanced toward the entrance, his anxiety mounting as the appointed time approached without any sign of his family.

When Neil and Natalie finally appeared through the glass doors, Nathan's sigh of relief was audible. For a terrifying moment, he'd wondered if they might have reconsidered their willingness to lie under oath for him, if the weight of perjury had proven too heavy to bear.

"Sorry we're late," Natalie said as she approached, her professional scrubs replaced by a conservative dress that made her look more like a witness than a nurse. "Traffic was horrible, and I had to drop Charlie off at daycare."

Neil looked equally formal in a suit that suggested he understood the gravity of the occasion. "Are you ready for this, Nate?"

Nathan nodded, though his hands were trembling slightly. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Before anyone could offer additional reassurance, Lynette appeared in the lobby, her expression carrying the focused intensity of someone prepared for battle.

"Nathan, we're ready for you." she said, her voice professionally warm but businesslike.

Nathan stood on unsteady legs, glancing back at Trevor with an expression that mixed fear with determination. Trevor reached out and squeezed Nathan's hand briefly, a gesture of support that would have to last through whatever came next.

"I'll be right here." Trevor said quietly.

—

Lynette's office had been transformed into a formal deposition setting. A court reporter sat at a small table with her stenography machine, fingers poised to capture every word for the official record. A video camera mounted on a tripod faced the witness chair, its red recording light creating an atmosphere of legal solemnity that made Nathan's mouth go dry.

The court reporter, a middle-aged woman with gray hair and kind eyes, administered the oath with practiced efficiency. "Please raise your right hand. Do you swear that the testimony you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"

"I do." Nathan said, his voice steadier than he'd expected.

Lynette settled behind her desk with a legal pad and the carefully organized evidence they'd discussed. "We are here for the deposition of Nathan Montgomery in the matter of Montgomery versus Burton, case number FL-2024-1847. Today is Friday, November 15th, 2024. Present are myself, Lynette Wilson, representing the petitioner; Nathan Montgomery, the petitioner; and court reporter Sarah Wang."

She looked directly at Nathan, her expression conveying both professional authority and personal support. "Nathan, please state your full name for the record."

"Nathan Christopher Montgomery."

"And you were formerly known as Nathan Burton during your marriage?"

"Yes. I took my husband's surname when we married in September 2015."

Lynette made a note, then continued with the methodical precision that characterized effective legal examination. "Mr. Montgomery, I want to walk through your marriage to Peter Burton chronologically. Can you tell me when you first noticed signs that the relationship was becoming problematic?"

Nathan's hands clenched in his lap as he accessed memories he'd spent years trying to suppress. "Almost immediately after our wedding. On our wedding night, I accidentally spilled red wine on our hotel room carpet. Peter slapped me across the face." He paused, his voice growing quieter. "I thought it was just wedding stress, the pressure of the day. I made excuses for him."

"But the behavior continued?"

"It escalated. He started systematically isolating me from my support systems, beginning with my family."

"Can you describe how he accomplished this isolation?"

Nathan took a shaky breath, knowing this part of his testimony was crucial for establishing the pattern of psychological abuse. "Peter exploited a traumatic incident from my childhood. When I was twelve years old, my sister accidentally discovered me viewing... homosexual material online. She told my father, who reacted poorly and struck me. This happened only months after my mother's death, and my father was still deep in grief. It was a single incident, a mistake made during an incredibly difficult time."

"How did Peter use this information against you?"

"He weaponized my vulnerability." Nathan's voice grew stronger as he continued. "Peter contacted my father and sister approximately eight months after our wedding. He told them that I still harbored resentment about that childhood incident, that I blamed them for traumatizing me, and that marrying him was my way of cutting them out of my life permanently."

"And your family believed these claims?"

Nathan's voice cracked slightly with emotion. "They loved me enough to think they were protecting me by staying away. Peter convinced them that I needed space to heal from childhood trauma. He made them complicit in my isolation by making them believe it was what I wanted."

Lynette allowed a moment for Nathan to compose himself before continuing. "When did the physical abuse begin?"

"Approximately one year after our marriage. It started with slaps during arguments, then progressed to punches. Peter was methodical about hitting places that wouldn't be visible in professional settings: my torso, my back, areas covered by clothing."

"Did you seek medical treatment for these injuries?"

"Sometimes, when the damage was severe enough that I couldn't function normally. Peter would accompany me to emergency rooms and remain present during all medical consultations. He coached me beforehand on what to say. That I'd fallen down stairs, been in a minor car accident, any explanation that would account for my injuries without raising suspicions."

Lynette reached for the manila folder containing Peter's collected evidence. "Nathan, we have documentation that was discovered among Peter's personal possessions after your departure. Medical records, X-rays, photographs, and video recordings of your injuries. Can you explain why Peter would have maintained such comprehensive documentation?"

Nathan's breathing became visibly labored as he confronted the reality of Peter's cruelty. "He kept them like... like trophies. Proof of what he'd done to me, evidence of his complete control over my life."

"What do you believe motivated him to create this documentation?"

"I think he derived pleasure from reviewing my suffering. The photographs and videos weren't just records. They were entertainment for him. Evidence that he owned me completely."

Nathan's voice dropped to barely above a whisper as he approached the most difficult part of his testimony. "Three years into our marriage, Peter carved his initials into my chest with a knife. 'P.B.' He said that I belonged to him, that I would never forget who owned me." He looked directly at the camera, his voice gaining strength. "There is video documentation of this assault among the materials we recovered."

"When did you make the decision to leave?"

"Three years ago, in March 2021. I was working at an animal clinic here in Los Angeles. I don't remember making a conscious decision. I just suddenly understood that if I stayed, he would eventually kill me. I left work, went home, grabbed a few essential items, and disappeared."

"Where did you go when you left?"

"To my family in Orange County. Despite everything Peter had done to damage our relationships, my father took me in immediately. My sister, who is a registered nurse, treated my final injuries at home. We were all afraid that seeking hospital treatment would leave a paper trail Peter could follow."

"What was your condition when you arrived at your father's home?"

"I had a sprained wrist and bruised jaw from an assault three days earlier. But the psychological damage was far more severe than the physical injuries. I was completely broken, barely functional."

"After you recovered, what did you do?"

"I worked as an inventory manager at my father's pharmacy. It was simple work that didn't require much interaction with the public, which was all I could handle at the time."

"Have you had any contact with Peter Burton since leaving in March 2021?"

Nathan shook his head emphatically. "None whatsoever. No phone calls, emails, text messages, or physical encounters."

"Do you believe your marriage to Peter Burton is irretrievably broken?"

"Yes, absolutely. There is no possibility of reconciliation."

"Do you fear for your personal safety if Peter were to locate you?"

"Yes. Based on the escalating pattern of violence throughout our marriage, I believe he would attempt to kill me if given the opportunity."

"Are you seeking any financial support, property division, or assets from this marriage?"

"No. I want nothing that connects me to Peter Burton. No money, no property, no ongoing financial relationship of any kind."

Lynette leaned forward slightly, her voice softening for the final question. "Nathan, in your own words, can you tell me why you are seeking this divorce?"

Nathan looked directly into the camera, his voice clear and certain despite the tears threatening at the corners of his eyes. "I want to reclaim my legal name, to be Nathan Montgomery again instead of Nathan Burton. I want to be free from any legal connection to my abuser. And I want to live without fear that a man who tortured me for six years still has legal claim to any part of my life."

"Thank you, Nathan. I know that testimony was incredibly difficult."

—

Nathan emerged from Lynette's office emotionally devastated, his carefully maintained composure finally cracking after an hour of reliving his worst memories for the official record. He collapsed into the seat next to Trevor, his head immediately seeking the comfort of Trevor's shoulder.

Trevor wrapped his arm around Nathan protectively, offering silent support as Nathan trembled with emotional exhaustion. They sat in the lobby's artificial quiet, both understanding that the hardest part was over but knowing that Neil and Natalie still had their own performances to deliver.

"Neil Montgomery." Lynette called after giving Nathan several minutes to recover.

Nathan's father stood with the dignity of someone who understood the gravity of what he was about to do. His testimony would corroborate Nathan's timeline while establishing the family's credibility as witnesses who had observed Nathan's condition firsthand.

When Neil disappeared into Lynette's office, Natalie reached over and squeezed Nathan's free hand. "You were incredibly brave in there. Dad and I are proud of you."

Nathan managed a weak smile, drawing strength from his family's unwavering support. Whatever happened next, he was no longer facing it alone. The legal machinery was in motion now, and soon Nathan Montgomery would be free to build whatever life he chose, with whomever he chose to share it with.

The end of his nightmare was finally within reach.

—

Neil's testimony had been straightforward and convincing. A father's account of taking in his wounded son and watching him slowly heal from trauma he hadn't fully understood at the time. His affidavit corroborated Nathan's timeline with the kind of specific details that only someone who'd actually lived through the experience could provide.

Natalie's testimony had been equally compelling, her medical expertise lending credibility to her description of treating Nathan's injuries at home. Her affidavit included detailed documentation of the care she'd allegedly provided, complete with medical terminology that would satisfy any court's requirements for evidence.

When Natalie emerged from Lynette's office after forty-five minutes, she looked confident despite the emotional weight of lying under oath. Her nursing background had served her well. She'd approached the fabricated testimony with the same clinical precision she brought to her professional duties, understanding that Nathan's freedom depended on her ability to sell their carefully constructed story.

Nathan forced himself to stand despite the exhaustion that had settled into his bones like lead. His legs felt unsteady after hours of emotional strain, but he needed to know if their plan had worked, if the alibi his family had provided would hold up under legal scrutiny.

Natalie's expression was reassuring as she approached, her slight nod confirming that she'd delivered her testimony without incident. But before Nathan could ask for details, Lynette appeared and gestured for him to join her.

Nathan's heart immediately sank. His head dropped as worst-case scenarios flooded his mind. Maybe Lynette had spotted inconsistencies in their stories, maybe she'd recognized the fabricated medical documentation, maybe their carefully planned deception was about to unravel at the worst possible moment.

But instead of leading him back to her office for another grueling session, Lynette stopped in the hallway near the lobby, her posture relaxed and her expression carrying something that looked almost like satisfaction.

"Nathan," she began, her voice carrying the warmth of someone delivering good news, "I know your deposition earlier was incredibly difficult, and I want you to know that your testimony was comprehensive and compelling. Your family's corroboration was excellent, they both presented as credible witnesses who clearly care about your wellbeing."

Nathan felt his breathing become easier as Lynette continued, her words slowly penetrating the fog of anxiety that had clouded his thoughts since entering the building that morning.

"With an uncontested divorce case this well-documented, you won't need to appear in court," Lynette explained. "I'll handle all the remaining paperwork and legal filings. The court will review our petition, and assuming everything proceeds as expected, you should receive your final divorce decree within three to four months."

The relief that washed over Nathan was so complete it was almost physical, like stepping out of a crushing weight that he'd been carrying for so long he'd forgotten what it felt like to stand upright. His knees actually felt weak as the reality of what she was saying sank in.

"I'll contact you as soon as the decree is finalized," Lynette continued, "and we can mail all the documentation to whatever address you prefer. For now, you can go home and focus on rebuilding your life. I'll handle everything else from here."

Nathan struggled to find words adequate to express his gratitude. "Thank you so much, Lynette. For everything. I don't know how I can ever–"

"You don't need to thank me," Lynette interrupted gently. "This is my job, and honestly, it's cases like yours that remind me why I chose family law in the first place." Her expression grew more serious. "Take care of yourself, Nathan. You've been through hell, but you've also shown incredible courage in fighting for your freedom."

Nathan nodded, not trusting his voice to remain steady if he tried to speak again.

—

From his position in the lobby, Trevor had been watching Nathan's conversation with Lynette with the kind of focused intensity that came from having someone you love in potential danger. Every subtle shift in their body language, every change in Nathan's expression, had been analyzed for signs of trouble or relief.

When Nathan finally turned away from Lynette with a genuine smile spreading across his face. The first truly relaxed expression Trevor had seen from him since arriving in Los Angeles. All of Trevor's accumulated anxiety evaporated like steam.

Nathan approached their small group with steps that seemed lighter than they'd been in days, his exhaustion still evident but now mixed with something that looked unmistakably like hope.

"Lynette said we're done here." Nathan announced, his voice carrying a note of wonder as if he couldn't quite believe the words coming out of his own mouth.

The response was immediate and joyful. Natalie let out a small cheer, Neil's weathered face broke into a grin of paternal pride, and Trevor felt his own shoulders sag with relief he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"So we're still on for tomorrow?" Natalie asked, referring to their planned family gathering for the weekend.

Nathan nodded emphatically, his smile growing wider. "Absolutely. But right now, I think I need to go back to the hotel and sleep for about twelve hours straight."

Neil stepped forward and pulled Nathan into a brief but fierce hug, the kind of embrace that spoke of years of missed opportunities finally being reclaimed. "We're so proud of you, Nate. Your mother would be proud too."

The mention of his mother hit Nathan harder than he'd expected, bringing tears to his eyes as he thought about how different his life might have been if she'd lived to see him through those difficult teenage years, if her presence might have prevented the chain of events that led him to Peter in the first place.

But there was no point in dwelling on alternative histories. The important thing was that he was here now, surrounded by family who loved him, with a man who'd proven his loyalty through the worst possible circumstances, and with legal freedom finally within reach.

As they walked out of the law firm together, Nathan felt the strange combination of exhaustion, relief, and happiness that came from surviving something you weren't sure you'd live through. The California sun felt different on his face than it had when they'd entered the building that morning: warmer, more welcoming, like the whole world had shifted slightly in his favor.

He was going home to Montana soon, back to the ranch and the life he'd built there, but now he'd be returning as Nathan Montgomery rather than someone living under an assumed identity. For the first time in nearly a decade, he would be completely, legally, officially free.

The nightmare was almost over. And the dream of whatever came next was finally beginning.