'Better?' Charles asks, hand coming away from my shoulder. 
'I think so.' My voice is still only just a whisper. 
'Okay.' He steps back to the door, pushing and holding it open. I force myself to keep breathing deeply. 'I'm right here with you, all the way.' 
I nod, sighing heavily and walking into the room before my brain can stop me. 
The courtroom is fairly small, as it's only a private hearing. A public one would have attracted way too many reporters, and that's the last thing I need. Today is the first day, so it's chief witnesses of the prosecution only: myself and Charles. All the police evidence will be given today as well. 
I head to the front, taking a seat next to my lawyer. Charles slots into the bench behind. 
'Good morning.' My lawyer sends me a smile, 'How are you?' 
'Um, yeah. Fine. A bit nervous.' I answer disjointedly, fiddling with Charles' bracelet. 
'If you need to stop for a break at any point, just let me know and we can do that.' She reassures me, shuffling through her file. 'The first day is always the hardest, but it won't be like this the whole time.' 
'Okay.' I say, with an uncertain chuckle, 'I trust you.' 
'That's a good start.' She quips, and her relaxed attitude rubs off on me. I feel slightly more at ease. 
It doesn't last long. After a few minutes, we're told that the hearing is about to start and I hear the door behind us bang shut. I glance over my shoulder to see who's come in and immediately, my whole body goes cold. It's as though someone has pressed pause and frozen me in time. I can't move, can't breathe. Cold blue eyes meet mine and my blood turns to ice in my veins. 
Dylan. 
The last time I saw him was in the wingmirror of Charles' car, standing at the top of the hotel steps. It was months ago, but in this moment, it feels like minutes. The fear, the hold he had over me seems to return in a wave and I shrink away. I want to run. I want to get as far from him as I can. I don't want to do this anymore. I can't do it. 
'Maya?' Charles' voice catches my attention. He's leaning forward in his seat, head beside mine. 'Stai bene?' Are you okay? 
'Non posso...' I can't speak. I can't do anything. 
'Non può farvi del male.' He can't hurt you. 
'Everything okay?' My lawyer looks over at us, concern furrowing her brow. 
'I...' I stutter, 'It's been a long time since I saw him.' 
'I know. As I said, the first one is always the hardest. But he can't do anything to you. He's not allowed to approach you. He can't even talk to you, alright? He might as well not be here.' She places a hand gently on my arm. 'I know it's difficult and you've been incredibly brave. I'm afraid you're just going to have to keep being brave for a while longer. Okay?' 
'Okay.' I manage, voice hoarse. 
'He will get what he deserves.' 

'Dylan Harrison, you have been charged with coercive control, assault and battery, grievous bodily harm and attempted murder. How do you plead?'
'Not guilty.' 

The trial starts with my lawyer presenting the evidence from the police investigation. I wasn't allowed to see it beforehand, which just makes it all so much worse. In fact, it's infinitely worse than I had ever imagined.