Page 73 of Now Their Starlet

“More than anything. This is all for her well-being.”

Her words slice against my skin like a cheese grater. I feel like my heart is being shredded.

Maybe I should’ve asked for some de-scenter to put on. I’m sure my perfume isn’t very pleasant to be around right now.

Why does she only act like she loves me when she’s acting? When it fits the purpose of something she wants for herself? Why can’t she just love me?

“Do you think this conservatorship is necessary?” Collin asks.

“Yes, I do. Andromeda has had free rein for years, and we know now where that’s gotten her,” Gina says with a shake of her head.

“With that, Your Honor, I conclude. The evidence speaks for itself, and as you can see, Gina Sterling is just a loving and concerned mother who wants what’s best for her daughter.”

Gina steps off the stand and heads back to her seat at the table to the left of mine.

“Is that it?” I whisper, leaning towards Charles. “I don’t know too much about court and stuff, but isn’t there supposed to be some sort of cross-examination?”

“Yes, you’re right, but I’ve come to a bit of a deal with the opposing counsel. We don’t cross-examine Gina, and they won’t cross-examine you when you’re called to the stand later,” Charles murmurs softly. “It was Edison’s idea. I think he wanted to protect you from Gina’s lawyers. They have a... reputation.”

“Oh,” I say, glancing at my dad. “Do you think we can still win, even without cross-examining her?”

Charles offers a confident nod. “You have nothing to worry about. The evidence you managed to send over to your pack is more than enough.”

Your pack.

I open my mouth to correct him, but my vocal cords don’t seem to work. I like the guys being called my pack too much.

“Mr. Miller,” Judge Harvey says, nodding down towards Charles. “Please present the exhibits you’ve prepared.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Charles says, standing from his seat. “You’ve just heard heartfelt testimony from Gina Sterling about how much she cares for her daughter, but it is clear based on the evidence I intend to present that this is not reflected in practice. The conditions Miss Andi has been subjected to are far from humane, especially for a young omega who has yet to bond with an alpha or pack. Everything you will see is detrimental to the health of an omega like her, both from a hormonal perspective and a mental health one.”

“Objection! Speculation,” Collin says, standing from his own seat beside Gina, who’s as stiff as a corpse.

“Does the evidence you’ve submitted for viewing today support your claims, Mr. Miller?” Judge Harvey asks.

“Yes, Your Honor. It does.”

“Overruled,” the judge says in response to Collin’s objection.

“We have proof of the living conditions Miss Andi has been enduring,” Charles says, waving towards the monitor.

A video pops up. The one that showcases how all the windows and doors are locked. The video itself is shaky, and the sound of my panicked breathing can be heard over the speakers around the room.

The panic I felt while recording all the videos is palpable to everyone watching. I didn’t realize it was that obvious when I was recording them.

Gina’s eyes are wide with shock. I can practically feel the glare she’s shooting in my direction.

I fight against the urge to look away—the submissive urge that’s been re-cultivated over the course of captivity—and meet her sharp gaze.

She can’t do anything to me here. Not surrounded by people. Not with my pack right behind me.

She’s practically trembling with rage. I can sense it from across the room, sharp and prickly like wading through a sea of nettles.

Her attorneys whisper something to her, and she finally directs her attention to them.

“I’d like to pause here for now,” Charles says, pacing in front of the monitor. “As you can see from these videos taken by Miss Andi Sterling, Andi is being kept in a locked room and has only been let outside to attend events that Gina Sterling has permitted her to attend. These events happened to be very public, red carpet events. Personally, Your Honor, I believe my client is of sound mind, but the basis of Gina Sterling’s argument is that she is not. If Gina Sterling truly believed this, why would she send her precious daughter to public events that were not necessary?”

The other videos I filmed of the terrible bedding and the wardrobe I had access to are shown next.