"Preparations Complete, Anxiety Sets In"

Ashley's gaze still lingered on the empty chair where Jordan had sat just hours ago. It was a stark reminder of the ordeal she had endured, but it also served as a testament to her strength. Her mind began to wander as she stood up, gathering her belongings. Sarah noticed the far-off look in her eyes and gently asked, "Ashley, are you okay?" Ashley nodded, forcing a smile onto her face. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little preoccupied." As she exited the courtroom, Ashley couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being pulled in two different directions. Her thoughts drifted to her baby, now just a few weeks away from arriving. At 36 weeks pregnant, Ashley had everything prepared for the baby's arrival. The nursery was painted a soothing shade of light blue, and the crib was adorned with soft, plush toys. Her hospital bag was packed, and she had a meal plan in place for after the baby's birth. Despite being prepared, Ashley couldn't help but feel a growing sense of nervousness. As she walked into her cozy home, Ashley's eyes scanned the nursery one more time. She had spent countless hours preparing for this moment, but she couldn't shake off the feeling of uncertainty that had been building up inside her. What if something went wrong during delivery? What if she wasn't good enough to be a mother? Sarah, who had been quietly observing Ashley's concerns, walked over to her and wrapped her arms around her waist. "Hey, you're going to be amazing, Ashley. You've got this." Ashley smiled weakly, trying to reassure herself that everything would be alright. The phone rang, breaking the silence. Ashley's heart skipped a beat as she saw her mother's name on the screen. She had been dreading this conversation, knowing that her mother would want to discuss the trial and Jordan's outburst. Ashley took a deep breath and picked up the phone, trying to muster up the courage to face her mother's questions. As she listened to her mother's voice on the other end of the line, Ashley couldn't help but wonder what the future held for her and her unborn baby. Would she be able to move past the trauma of the trial and find peace, or would Jordan's actions continue to haunt her?