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Liam wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh or throw up as Nora presented her long list of reasons why she believed her grandson should make his home with her. Never mind that he was almost seventeen, and well able to decide for himself what he wanted to do. Nora was certainly giving a good case, he had to admit, and under normal cirumstances, he'd have been inclined to hear her out. But as she listed her reasons, Liam felt sick to the stomach. They were all such innocuous things, but to Liam, they presented a horrifying picture of abuse and control.
There was his bedroom, for example. Nora had done it up, so she said, as a perfect haven for a growing boy, complete with a massive four-poster bed, baby-blue curtains and carpet, his own bathroom and toilet, and a balcony that would give him a wonderful view of the city. And no lock on the door. Liam felt goosebumps crawl on his skin as Nora, playing the wronged grandmother to perfection, also added how the room had a connecting door to her bedroom, and Liam didn't need to see the glint in her eye to know she had nefarious designs on him. He kept his mouth shut, however, refusing to let the old bat have the satisfaction of knowing she'd got under his skin. It didn't help that the judge was an older man, and Nora's sweet act was working, if the speculative look in his eyes was any indication. But Liam refused to let his worries show. He'd be able to make his case soon enough, and he had enough facts to shoot down every one of Nora's "reasons" why he should make his home with her.
Finally, Nora wrapped up, and she threw him a smug smile as she sat down. Liam, once more following his attourney's instructions - and thank God his parents had been able to secure the services of a man who had dealt with obsessed mothers and grandmothers before - looked at her blankly, showing no sign of the remorse that would probably have him throwing up in the bathrooms after her. Nora's smile faltered, and she turned away, suddenly looking less sure of herself. Liam only just managed to restrain the urge to look smug as he was given his chance to speak.
He laid out all the facts, based on both his parents' stories, plus his own observations. He'd been worried his parents' tales of Nora's many misdeeds would be disproved, but Iseult had provided him with copies of the documents from Nora's original court case more than seventeen years ago, and when he was asked to, he presented them. Nora's face had gone from uneasy to shocked as the judge examined her previous misdeeds, and Liam felt a tad more confident as the man shook his head slightly before having the documents returned to him. "And are there any other reasons why you believe a relationship with your grandmother would be detrimental to you?" the judge asked, sounding skeptical, but looking troubled.
Liam pulled out his trump card. Even he had been shocked when finding out the one thing Nora had made sure never to let slip - except that Saraid and Kate (a surprising ally in this fight, but one whom no one was quite willing to forgive just yet) had let it slip in the days leading up to today's case. "My cousin's child was taken from her when he was born, and has been raised by my great-aunt and grandmother," he said. He took a deep breath. "He was taken to the doctor's for a routine check up yesterday, and... well, there's no polite way to put it..." He stopped and took another deep breath. "The doctor found evidence of sexual assault."
Dead silence reigned, and Nora went sheet-white. Her mouth worked silently, but no words came out, and the judge looked stunned. "Have you proof?" he asked.
"I can provide the name of the doctor who delivered the diagnosis," Liam explained. "My cousin has given permission for the records to be shared with the relevant authorities." 86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3x9HbGPq2k
"Very well," the judge replied. He paused before nodding. "In light of this revelation, I have reason to believe that a relationship with your grandmother would, perhaps, be detrimental to you. Once I have spoken to your cousin's doctor, I will hand down my verdict." He turned to Nora. "Until the investigation is concluded," he told her, his voice stern, "neither you nor your sister are to have any contact with Liam Murray. Nor are you to have contact with any of his family, and that includes any who shelter under his parents' roof."86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN5sGqvp9uq
Nora looked like she was ready to spit fire, but she nodded tersely, and Liam let out a long sigh of relief as the hearing came to an end. It wasn't a complete resolution, but he and his family had gained a small measure of peace. He just hoped Nora would have the good sense to keep her nose clean, but even as he made a beeline for the bathroom, he knew she'd do something stupid to trip herself up.
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86Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiimTG2S6vr
