A World Without Sun discussion

Miles sighed. “That can easily be disproven. Jade can go to a court ordered emotional bender and be looked at.”

"That's the plan but they could also argue about the timeline." THeir lawyer explained. "Honestly, this is less about winning as it is making this as loud, public, and drawn out as possible."
"I don't get why he's doing this." Jade said , "Why he just can't cut it even and leave me alone."

“Can we counter with assault charges?” Sunny asked. “We have evidence that he assaulted her. If he wants loud, I am willing to be louder.”

"Miles healed Jade's injuries before photographic evidence was taken. The only other evidence would have to be a personal testimony." He said looking at Jade who looked ready to throw up at the suggestion.

“There’s also the testimonies of the men who went to help her. My husband, father, and Miles.” Sunny stated.

"None of them will hold as much weight as hers." The lawyer said gently. "Otherwise, it gives his lawyers too much room to spin the narrative."
"I need to take a walk." Jade said getting up and leaving the gazebo quickly.

Sunny sighed.
Miles stood and went after her. He took her hand but didn’t say anything.

The lawyer shook his head and started repacking his things. "I am confident we will win this Duchess. It just won't wrap itself up in a neat bow like we expected."
Jade didn't realize she was shaking until Miles took her hand. She walked in silence for a bit before saying. "It was the first time he hit me...when I called you. But before that he would yell or snap at me. I just...I just feel so stupid. How could I just stay with a guy like that? How could I even get with a guy like that in the first place?

“This isn’t your fault, Jade.”

Sunny nodded. “Good. It’s u fortunate, of course, but I think we’ll all be happy when this is over.”

"Yes it is." Jade said near tears. "I hate the idea of even being anywhere near him again."

Miles pulled her into a hug. “You’re safe now.”

Jade held onto Miles. “Part of why he hit me that day was because he thought I’d been with you. What if he's only doing this to hurt you?" Whether it was true or not, Miles was doing so well now with his work. What if this salnder hurt his art career?

“I’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry about me.” He gave her a tight squeeze. “I’ve been through this before, remember? And I was guilty then. I’m not this time.”

"Im tired of people coming after you because of your powers." Jade sighed pulling back to look up at him. "We dont deserve that. You dont deserve that."

“That’s the reality of my life. Of what I am.” He shrugged. “It’s a truth I’ve come to terms with.”

"I wish you didnt have to." She hid her head in his chest. "I can....I can do the testimony. Just...just let me have tomorrow with Melody then ill face him."

He rubbed her back. “Whatever you want.”

((Skip?))

((Yeah))

Jade laid down a few of Greyson's old suits that she stole on Miles bed. "Okay. Any of these should work but I think Black is always safe but I think you'd look amazing in this gray suit." She said, doing what she did best and distracting herself with clothes and events until they had to deal with the trial later. For now, the art musuem had a gala that she needed to make sure Miles looked amazing for. It was his first event as a paid artist for an exhibit. He needed to mingle and get more clients.

“So you want me to wear the black but also the grey?” Miles asked, confused.

"You are adorable." She shook her head and picked up the gray suit. "Put this on."

He chuckled while accepting it. “Yes ma’am.”

Jacob called Melody.

"And don't you dare try to tie your own tie. I don't need you strangling yourself." Jade told him

Melody swore hearing her phone ringing and dug under all the dresses she had thrown on her bed to find it. Usually she wouldn't care what she wore but today was important for her dad and it was a formal event that Jacob would be at. Sure they weren't going together, but she still wanted to look presentable. "Hey." Melody answered once she found her phone. She went to her vanity to pause on the whole picking an outfit fiasco.

Miles smiled lightly. “What would I do without you?”

Jacob was pacing in his room, half dressed. “I’m going to kill her. I swear to god.” His emotions were running high, his eyes were black. “She’s going to make me look like an idiot.”

Melody paused pulling out her makeup bag. "Jacob? Who are you talking about? Breathe. "

"Probably wear that ridiculously hot shirt with all those paint stains." Jade kissed his cheek. "Im going to shower." She said before heading to the bathroom. She made sure to lock the door before going to pull out one of the pregnancy tests she had bought for Ginger that she has stashed behind the trash can. It was just a precaution and it wasnt like Ginger needed it now that she knew she was pregnant.

Miles watched her go before getting changed. He tried tying the tie to prove he could do it, but quickly gave up.

“Trisha. My fiancé. She said she’s bringing her boyfriend and will be taking pictures with him. What am I supposed to do with that information? My dad is going to kill me if things go off the rails.” He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t focus. “I get that she’d rather hang out with him. I’d rather hang out with you. But this is a public event that my dad is stressing about. Things need to be perfect and she’s—“ he groaned. “She’s stressing me out.”

"Did you explain to her that you guys just need to keep up appearances? I mean you are still technically engaged. You could still make it seem like you are together. Take photos with her. Talk near her?

“She doesn’t want to play. She wants to anger my dad so he’ll break the contract.” He paced. “He’s going to kill me. And she knows that but doesn’t care.”

"Breathe." Melody looked at her pile of dresses. "If she wants to anger him to get him to break the contract. Fine. I'll be at the event. You can start telling people that we're dating before your father can argue or correct people."

He took a few breaths. “Are you sure? I don’t want to drag you into this drama.”

"Yeah. It'll be fun." Melody said, her voice extra high showing how much she was uncomfortable with it. "I'll see you there." She hung up before he could argue. She took a deep breath and hurried to her dad's room, banging on the door frantically.

Miles opened the door, dressed in his suit with a lopsided tie. “What’s wrong?”

"Where's Jade? I need her help." Melody said coming in the room.
Jade stuck her head out the bathroom, post shower and mid blow dry of her hair. "Melody?"
"I was talking to Jacob and he was freaking out because his fiance isn't going to the event with him. I mean she's going to the gala but she's bringing her boyfriend. Which is going to make him look bad to his dad because he won't be picture perfect like he wants. So I was trying to help calm him down and I said that I could go with him as his dad and now I'm freaking out because now I have to go and I have to be perfect. And I have no clue how to look the part." Melody scrambled, barely stopping to catch her own breath.
Jade stared at her daughter like she had grown 2 heads. "Wait..are you asking me to help you get dressed for an event?" Five year old Melody had cut up one of the dresses she had bought for her.
"Oh my god, yes! Don't make this worse." Melody said going to her mother to grab her hand to pull her room.

Miles watched the two in stunned silence. They disappeared into Melody’s room and Miles slowly backed into his own room to attempt tying the tie again.

After twenty mintues, Jade came back into Miles room after helping Melody decide on a dress and talking through protocols for events like these since Melody had never been. She closed the door behind her and leaned against it. "I think our daughter has been replaced by an alien because I swear we just had a conversation instead of an argument."

Miles chuckled. “She’s growing up. I blame her boyfriend,” he said playfully.

"Well I was good enough to help with clothes. Not with makeup." Jade sighed and finally focused on him. "I told you I would do your tie." She shook her head going over to him.

“I thought I could impress you by showing you how much I’ve improved. I guess that was a failure.” He sighed and stood still while she fixed the tie. “Has she relaxed a bit?”

"Slightly. Not by much." Jade said redoing his tie. "But she'll be alright." Jade was anxious a bit about having Melody out in a public event. She had never been to a nobility public event before. Sure people knew about her daughter by now as a rumor not many had actually met her because of Miles not putting Melody in the prep school. But today wasn't about her. It was about Miles so she would keep it togther.

Miles took a breath. “I’m so anxious. I wish we could skip tonight and just watch tv and eat ice cream.”

Jade finished and kissed his jaw. "We can still do that when get back to celebrate."

“Hmm, I can think of other things we could do when we get back.” He wrapped his arms around her waist.

Jade smiled, "Well keep planning it out mister and maybe we can. But that you and Mellie are good, I need to get dressed so we can go." And she needed to check on that pregnancy test.

Miles nodded. “I’ll check on Mel.” He left the room and went to his daughter’s room. He knocked on the door. “Mel? Are you ready?”

Melody opened the door in a blue gown that had more rhinestones than she would like but Jade promised she wouldnt be over dressed. But she still went really subtle with her makeup to try to balance it out. She frowned at her dad's face. "What? Do I look bad? Jade said it was fine." She said immediately feeling self conscious.

He looked at his daughter in awe. “You look beautiful, Mel. I have half a mind to keep you home. Jason won’t be able to keep his eyes off you.” He kind of wished he was over protective like Cole and Forest, but he was just happy to see his little girl experiencing life.

Melody blushed crossing her arms in front of her, still feeling a little uncomfortable. "Thanks

Miles smiled lightly. “You’ll look beautiful no matter what you wear.”

She nodded. "The dress isn't as bad as I thought it would be. " She admitted